KerryVision

Obama calls out McBush

Sat, 17 May 2008 11:46:04 -0400

"Anywhere, anytime." -Barack Obama After his insulting and bizarre appeaser/Nazi remarks to the Knesset, President Bush has decided to go with an 'I wasn't talking about you, I was talking about someone else' defense. No doubt the response was prompted by the series of beatings he took at the hands of Senators Kerry, Obama, Biden, Reid, Durbin and Clinton, Speaker Pelosi, Rep. Emanuel, the traditional media, the blogs, and just about everyone with an opinion. Bush's mysterious 'some' was spun, first by White House spokesperson Dana Perino, then by Ed Gillespie as a generic slam, but, they claim, not directed at Obama or Pres. Carter or any other individual. Sen. Obama asked who this amorphous 'some' is that the President was referencing, knowing there would be no answer. Of course, Bush wasn't talking about John McCain, although (unlike Obama who explicitly stated he would not) McCain has said we should engage with Hamas. And Syria. I'm not sure if McCain has actually changed his position on that or if he forgot, in yet another 'senior moment', that he said it. And the President couldn't have been referencing himself, although it was, after all, Bush policies that helped give Hamas their power and become an even greater threat to Israel. But I don't think the President intended to point the finger at either himself or at John McCain with his 'some'. No, I think that was an accidental consequence, brought about by people listening to his words and looking at his policies. In any case, the Nazi reference doesn't fit, even someone who is as wrong as Bush/McCain on foreign policy doesn't deserve to be compared with a Nazi appeaser. Not only is it an insult to 'some', but it's an insult to anyone with a lick of common sense. Whatever the case, and whoever the 'some', Obama said yesterday that he'd happy to take them both on in a debate on foreign policy. I suggest he write down the date and time for McCain so he doesn't forget, and list out a few other facts like the definitions of diplomacy and appeasement, since neither Bush nor McCain seem to know the difference. Video Credit: Veracifier They won't accept Obama's challenge, of course. Bush won't because he's a blowhard who won't back up his words, and McCain because he's just so wrong on foreign policy, he's got to be afraid the American people might learn that he's not the expert the media has made him out to be. It really is time to lay that old canard to rest, and tell the American people the truth about John McCain. To that end, Obama's offered a debate on the topic, so either they put up or shut up. Either debate him on our foreign policy or just stop with the divisive and nasty bully tactics where they spit out distortions then run and hide from their own words. Video Credit: BarackObamadotcom Something interesting that came from all this was a discussion I heard yesterday between Chris Matthews and Rachel Maddow about the rhetoric that's been used by the right to generate fear and shut down dissent. I have to give Matthews kudos for this, he was spot-on. Years late, but correct nonetheless. It's the same message Senator Kerry had for us in his 'Dissent' speech, and one that needs to be advanced. Video Credit: Aquaflyer To give full credit where it's due, Chris Matthews has been exceptional these last few days. I hope he continues to speak on the right wing's use of language to divide, and the importance of dissent in a democracy. It's a conversation that I think is necessary if we're to move beyond the past eight years, and I'm pretty sure the American people are ready for that change.

Did he really say what I think he said?

Fri, 16 May 2008 08:08:15 -0400

Did the President of the United States of America, in Israel, on the 60th anniversary of their becoming a nation, equate the majority of Americans with Nazi appeasers? I think he did. Now, most people think Bush was talking about Barack Obama, but the White House says no, he wasn't. So, if we're to believe them, he might have been referring to anyone who believes we should negotiate with Iran. Like John Kerry, or Defense Secretary Robert Gates, or Secretary of State Condi Rice, or most of the American people, or leaders of other countries. or Ronald Reagan (not legally in his case), or, if he were alive, President John F. Kennedy. Let us never negotiate out of fear. But let us never fear to negotiate. -John Kennedy Video Credit: VOTERSTHINKdotORG I'm almost at a loss for words. But Sen. Kerry is not. He's not going to let this disgraceful attack by the President of the United States on the people of the United States go unanswered. And neither should we. Thinking people understand that diplomacy is not appeasement, it's strength. So, either Bush doesn't fall into that category, or he thinks we don't. Here's Joe Biden's response Video Credit: SaveourSovereignty2 And Nancy Pelosi's Video Credit:bossmanfreak Sen. Clinton called Bush's words "offensive and outrageous". Never to my knowledge has such a disgusting attack been made by the president of a country about the people of the country he's sworn to serve. So, does John McCain stand up for the American people when we're attacked by George Bush? Video Credit: SaveourSovereignty2 No, he embraces Bush's words. Why? Because it's what they do. He's Bush III. There's really no daylight between them. McCain promises more of the same George Bush foreign policy that has made the Middle East and the United States less safe, and although the media continues to tout his foreign relations credentials, they've really got to stop. I don't know where McCain got that reputation, but it's seriously flawed. He's also, as the Washington Post pointed out today, a huge hypocrite. And through it all, Republican pundits are spinning. Badly. Video Credit: videocafeblog Bush is really calling people who want us to engage in diplomacy with Iran appeasers? Compare us to Nazis? You'd think he'd steer clear of playing the Nazi card, given grandpappy's connection, but then, he apparently has no shame. I'm with Biden on this. I call bullshit.

It bears repeating

Thu, 15 May 2008 08:13:31 -0400

Photo Credit: Alan D. Wilson/Creative Commons license

We've written here several times about the Senator's defense of the polar bear, and on the occasion of their addition to the endangered species list as 'threatened', it's time to revisit the topic.There's still work to be done, but yesterday was a huge step in the right direction, and the Senator marked the victory with a statement, and a warning:

�Today�s announcement is both a victory and a lifeline for our last remaining polar bears. The next step is to secure the long-term survival of the species by ensuring that the polar bear habitat in the Beaufort and Chukchi Seas is protected from the threat of oil and gas drilling. Even while the Interior Department was taking steps to give these bears ESA protection, the Bush Administration opened almost 30 million acres of polar bear habitat to oil and gas exploration, which -- by their own admission -- may ultimately kill polar bears. We need to protect the bears� habitat, and we must do so now. The polar bear has become the mascot of all we could lose to climate change and it is critical that we fight to save this species even as we wage a larger battle against global warming.�

Video Credit: squishydemon A year ago this week, Senator Kerry introduced the `Polar Bear Protection Act of 2007'. In January of this year, he proposed S. 2568, a moratorium on leasing in the Chukchi and Beaufort Sea Planning Areas, which stipulates that no drilling occur unless and until "oil and gas exploration and development activities can be conducted in the Chukchi and Beaufort Sea Planning Areas without posing a risk of substantial adverse impact to wildlife or wildlife habitat and subsistence." I think most people can agree that life without the polar bear is not a good trade off for the possibility of few more gallons of gas in the Hummer. It's not our right, obviously, to spoil the planet, it's our responsibility to protect it, and there are better ways to feed our energy habit than to destroy these beautiful living beings and threaten the culture and livelihood of the local people. Of course, the administration sneaked in the drilling lease by delaying the endangered species designation. It is, after all, what they do. Thank goodness, though, not for much longer.

But Senator, it's what they do.

Wed, 14 May 2008 19:05:32 -0400

Of course Republicans are going to start lying about Barack Obama. He's beating McCain in the latest polls by a significant margin. But as Senator Kerry has said, our nominee will not be 'swiftboated', so when House Republicans John Boehner and Eric Cantor used their positions in Congress to distort the words of Senator Obama, Senator Kerry was quick to fire back. When I read Senator Kerry's post on Huffington yesterday about the incredible lie John Boehner told about Barack Obama, I wasn't at all surprised that he took the time to write it. I wish I had video of the Senator banging out this post on his Mac, I'm sure it would be classic. But all I have is the post. Probably for the best, if you've ever watched the Senator grill people in Senate hearings, you know he's a little scary when he's mad. What i do have is access to YouTube, and plenty of evidence that John Boehner is a typical Republican Congressional shill, and a Bush boot-licker of the first order. There are a few videos of Boehner's performances, including one titled "John Boehner is ignorant", which is really a bit long. I guess there was lots of evidence. There were a couple of his drama queen performances on the House floor. One of him crying because, apparently, he loves America and the rest of us don't, was just pitiful. Here's a good one, mercifully short, of Boehner proclaiming that the loss of life in Iraq is a "small price" to pay. I doubt it's a small price for the family left behind, but I don't think Congressman Boehner has had to make that sacrifice. So, to the Senator's point, and to follow his example, when the Republican leadership attacks with lies and distortions, our response must be to fight back with the truth, and point out that blatant distortions like Boehner's fabrication yesterday are just more of he same old Republican dirty politics. It is, after all, what they do. Video Credit: Veracifier h/t to ProSense for the link to Huffpo and the great photo of my two favorite Senators.

Almost Heaven

Tue, 13 May 2008 08:34:36 -0400

photo credit
Wikimedia Commons/Jarekt

Having grown up a stone's throw from the WV border and feeling a great affinity for my neighbors to the south, I'm not sure how to take the recent polls that show Sen. Obama trailing significantly in the state. I guess it has a lot to do with the perception that West Virginians are distrustful of outsiders, as though they're somehow different from the rest of us. Or maybe it's that many West Virginians think a black guy from Chicago (who grew up in a white family in Kansas) mistakenly feel he doesn't understand and can't relate to their needs. Granted, the state is not very diverse when compared with the rest of the nation. It's not his ideal demographic. But perhaps the pollsters and pundits who have given up on West Virginia just haven't reached people like the ones I have met there, who are kind and proud and independent, and who will vote for Barack Obama because they know he will bring the kind of change the state desperately needs. I hope I'm not making the entire state out to be a bunch of backwoods 'folk'. They're not, of course. Morgantown is the home of WVU. We've posted about the University here, and remarked on their visionary transportation system. West Virginia is the place where I attended my first Edwin concert, and where my memories of the incredible beauty of places like New River Gorge are a frequent reminder to me of a place that John Denver described so well. Funny thing is, when I think of West Virginia and Sen. Obama, a lot of my hopes for the state are consistent with the reasons I support him. They are the second poorest state in the nation, and the earth that they've depended on for sustenance is being exploited, as they are, by corporate interests that are destroying the natural beauty of the state by blowing the tops off the mountains they love. The people of West Virginia need change, and the voters of West Virginia have, probably more than most, a lot to gain from his presidency. Senator Obama spoke to supporters in West Virginia yesterday about the values they share, like the new GI bill, that he supports and McCain opposes. So, West Virginia, maybe Obama's not exactly like what you've come to expect from politicians. Seems to me that's a good thing for all of us. As one of the least prosperous states in the nation, and one of the most derided, West Virginia should be able to relate to his message, and be hopeful for the change that is to come. On a much less serious note, here are some photos from Sen. Obama's website of him hanging out at Schultzie's Billiards in South Charleston yesterday. When you think about it, not so different from pool halls in the south side of Chicago, or anywhere else in the country. As Sen. Obama reminds us, there is more that unites us than separates us.

KerryVision Newsreel

Mon, 12 May 2008 08:44:28 -0400

As the Boston Globe notes, Sen. Kerry is determined that we do the right thing by our men and women in the military. His commitment to them is clear, from standing up for their voting rights, to standing with the families of missing soldiers Alex Jimenez of Massachusetts and Byron Fouty of Michigan. The Senator had legislation passed last week that will help provide aid to Myanmar, he introduced the Medicare IVIG Access Act, blogged at Huffington about the Pentagon's pundit program, and on the Hill's Congress Blog urging that Nelson Mandela be removed from the terrorist watch list. The Senator also announced legislation to preserve Massachusetts historic sites, and again urged protection for the endangered right whale and other marine life at Stellwagen Marine Sanctuary. Of course, the news coverage is still all about the primary, and Senator Kerry made several appearances last week on behalf of Barack Obama on MSNBC, and also on the Michael Baisden radio show. He made a very important point on Baisden's program, that while we're all inclined to look at Obama and McCain and think we've got it in the bag, it's dangerous to make assumptions or to underestimate your opponent. Once people know the truth about McCain, I think they'll see the difference, but our job right now is to make sure they do. Back in Massachusetts and campaigning for his own re-election, Senator Kerry attended the Haverhill Democratic breakfast over the weekend, and walked away with 84% of the vote in the straw poll. Most folks would probably be pretty happy with that, but to the Senator's point, we're just going to have to work a little harder on the 16%. Happy Monday. Enjoy the news.

Happy Mothers Day

Sun, 11 May 2008 09:07:23 -0400

Happy Mothers Day to all our KV reader moms, and especially to one of our favorite mothers, who has a special message for us on this very special day. While flowers and gifts are a great way to show your appreciation, a lot of moms and grandmothers are going to need much more than that, and Teresa reminds us of the importance of looking ahead and planning for the financial security of all people, women in particular. A tireless advocate for women, Teresa Heinz addressed the issue of retirement security in a Daily Kos diary and Mothers Day video yesterday, and introduced a free e-book, "What Women Need to Know about Retirement". As the founder of WISER, the Women's Institute for a Secure Retirement, Teresa has a history of addressing this critical issue. A native of Southwestern Pennsylvania, I have long known of the philanthropic works and the influence of the Heinz family. You can't navigate the city of Pittsburgh without knowing where Heinz Hall, Heinz Chapel, Heinz Field, the Heinz plant, the Sarah Heinz House and the Heinz History Museum are. But what I didn't know until the last few years is how deeply involved Teresa has been in the issue of women's health and other concerns specific to women. What's particularly striking to me is the personal investment she makes in these projects. She doesn't just throw cash at them, she actually shows up. And not just to give a speech, but to hang out and chat with participants of events she sponsors, like the one I attended last year, her Women's Health and the Environment conference, which she began in 1996 and has been offering free to the public every year since. Her advocacy isn't a one-shot deal, but a lifelong commitment, and for that she deserves our great thanks. Video Credit: teresaheinz So, when you hand mom her hydrangea today, give her the link to the e-book, too. What could be more thoughtful than to let her know you care about her future?

Primum non nocere

Sat, 10 May 2008 09:57:26 -0400

The dictum, "first, do no harm" is typically applied to physicians, but I think works here. At this point, when Senator Obama has the nomination all but locked up, it's what the Democratic party leadership must insist on from Sen. Clinton if she's going to stay in the race. Lately, Mrs. Clinton has attempted to make the only case she feels she has left, flimsy though it is, that 'hard working white people' (an unfortunate statement on a couple levels) won't support Sen. Obama in the general election. I'm not sure if that means the people of Nebraska, Utah, Minnesota, North Dakota, and other Obama states that are almost exclusively white have been dismissed, if they're seen by the Clinton campaign as a bunch of slackers, or if the inference is that only white people work hard. There's really no good way to interpret it. Personally, as a 'hard working white person', I'm a little insulted by her statement, just as I'm insulted by her insistence that, as a woman, she can claim my vote, and that those of us who are fortunate enough to have worked our way to a college degree are elitist and outside the mainstream, or that those who are either not so fortunate or have chosen another course are a huge monolithic voting block. I understand that it's a futile last-ditch effort to resurrect her dying campaign, and I have some compassion for her in that regard. She's a fighter. A dirty fighter at times, but still, there's something in her tenacity to be admired. The problem with her latest strategy, aside from the fact that her claims are completely baseless, is that goes against the 'do no harm' rule. The divisive rhetoric, the dog whistles, the pandering and the threats are all just the death rattle, but the real harm is that she's hell-bent on taking the party down with her. Despite Sen. Obama's attempts to allow her a graceful exit, Sen. Clinton has insisted on dragging this thing out to the bitter end, irrespective of the damage to anyone who might stand in her way. including the presumptive nominee and the standard bearer of the Democratic party.

Video Credit: MSNBC As Senator Kerry points out, the claims Senator Clinton is making aren't really true. Senator Kerry won the female vote in 2004, as well as the Hispanic vote. Facts matter. Could we have done better? Certainly, we could have, but I don't recall a whole lot of Hillary out there in '04, urging her 'base' to vote for our candidate. If she's going to claim she speaks for them, maybe she should have spoke up then and helped save us from the last four years of Bush. In these waning days of the primary, she can do that now if she chooses, and exit the race having helped the Democratic party to a big win in November. It doesn't appear that's her plan. If Senator Clinton needs more time to come to grips with the facts, then there's no reason she shouldn't continue to campaign. She doesn't have to help the Dems to a win, although I think it would help restore her and Bill's damaged legacy. She can continue to make her case. But it's time to insist that she first do no harm.

Choices

Fri, 09 May 2008 10:32:54 -0400

I'm guessing that most of us make hundreds of choices every day, maybe more, from how many times to hit the snooze button in the morning to whether it's really a good idea to stay up to watch Colbert. For me, some are as simple as deciding what to say to you nice people every morning. Today, for example, there was a choice between Senator Kerry's interview on MSNBC and Senator Obama's on CNN. I chose neither, because sometimes the choice is very clear and sometimes, there really isn't a choice at all. In the case of Myanmar, the survivors of that devastated country had no choice but to watch as their homes were destroyed and their neighbors and family members perished in the aftermath of the Cyclone Nargis. Video Credit: AlJazeeraEnglish And in the case of a compassionate nation, there's no choice but to empathize with their plight and come to their aid. It was no surprise to me who lead the Senate in that effort. I can't imagine he felt he had a choice. �At this tragic moment, the United States has a responsibility to help the Burmese people and push the junta to allow humanitarian aid to get to the people who need it the most, freely and rapidly. This could be remembered as the moment when the United States and the world came to the aid of the Burmese people and made it clear that while we loathe the junta that has isolated Burma from the world and oppressed its citizens, we find common cause with the people of Burma and we will be there by their side at this difficult time.� Even before the storm hit, the people of Myanmar (Burma) survived under a repressive government in a sometimes violent struggle for democracy. Senator Kerry has spoken on the topic in the recent past, and has pointed to the need for the US to show our solidarity with the people of Burma. As Myanmar fights to recover from the effects of Cyclone Nargis, our hopes and prayers are with them. And if the government of Myanmar allows, our country's humanitarian aid as well. Let's hope they make the right choice.

"A source of great advice and counsel"

Thu, 08 May 2008 08:28:38 -0400

That's how Obama campaign manager David Plouffe introduced Senator Kerry on a conference call yesterday, where some of his most high profile supporters commented on Tuesday's big Obama win. It's pretty obvious to me, someone who has spent quite a bit of time listening to both of them, that John Kerry is a source of "great advice and counsel" to Barack Obama. I frequently hear things in his speeches and interviews that I recognize as lessons learned from Sen. Kerry's experiences in 2004. His willingness to listen to and consider expert opinions is one of my favorite things about Obama, and he's smart enough to benefit from the advice of someone who has lived through a scorched earth campaign and has learned what it takes fight back the attacks. After eight years of Bush's refusal to consider dissenting opinion or learn the lessons of history, Obama's willingness to learn from the past and from the experiences of others is a hopeful sign. Joining Senator Kerry on the call were several other Obama surrogates, including Senators Claire McCaskill (D-MO) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Governors Deval Patrick (MA) and Janet Napolitano (AZ). Video Credit: Veracifier Keith Olbermann commented last night on the call, featuring Senator Kerry's remarks and calling the North Carolina victory and the Indiana squeaker "the beginning of the end" of the Democratic primary battle.

Video Credit: MSNBC There's no doubt in my mind that we'll be ready for the Republican slime machine when folks see the vibrant, inspirational Obama and his coalition of experts and grassroots supporters go head-to-head with John W. McSame III. I saw Gramps on The Daily Show last night, and I think one of the real challenges in the general election this fall will be for his supporters to keep from dozing off through his speeches. First, though, they'll have to work on getting the candidate to stay awake. Video Credit: yaattal Video Credit: jrose223 OK, the first one's not entirely fair. I think most people slept through Bush's SOTU. Besides, their positions are so close on most matters he's probably got it down pat anyway. There's also the argument that he's not really sleeping, but telepathically sending the President his plan to start another war. Or maybe he's just resting up for that 3am call so he doesn't sleep through it. Whatever the reason for McCain sleeping through hearings and speeches, I think the Republicans have a plan to keep him awake through his own campaign events. I wonder if they'd be willing to share it with the rest of us.

McWho?

Wed, 07 May 2008 08:38:17 -0400

There are so many reasons to feel great about yesterday's blowout Obama win in North Carolina. Despite having the kitchen sink thrown at him, despite the nonstop negative coverage of the past several weeks, the skinny kid with the funny name is now a household name, and will be the Democratic nominee. Something else that's really got me on a high today is that Druggie Limbaugh's chaos plan backfired. Even though it helped in part to allow Hillary to eek out a win in Indiana, Oxy's intention, at least as he described it to his listeners, was to 'bloody' Obama, and it was a massive failure. Now, I certainly don't credit Limbaugh for having much impact. His followers may have tried to undermine the Democratic primary and Obama's nomination, but they're insignificant in the grand scheme. Today, all the media pundits are all talking about is Barack Obama's brilliant North Carolina victory speech. As I write, Joe Scarborough is calling it 'perfect'. And where is John McSame? I'm not sure anyone knows. Or cares. But when it's time to take him on, Obama and the Democrats will be ready. Video Credit: BarackObamadotcom Yesterday, our favorite Obama surrogate spoke to MSNBC about why Barack Obama is the best person to lead this country in a new direction. The Senator hasn't called, as many have, for an end to this protracted primary, and I think there's a good reason for that. People have had a chance over these past months to get to know Barack Obama, and they like what they're seeing. Now it's time, I think, to take on McSame.

Video Credit: MSNBC

Pandermonium

Tue, 06 May 2008 08:25:16 -0400

Just a few thoughts on this primary day ... There is a difference, a very significant one, between our two Democratic candidates. The choice is between old Washington politics and a new politics of hope and change. Between politics of pandering and personal destruction, and a politics that seeks to lift up the country and bring us together. Now, I don't really believe that Hillary Clinton is a bad person. At least 'not that I know of'. But her campaign has proven that she's willing to use the same dishonest tactics as we've seen in campaign after campaign, saying whatever will poll well, making promises that can't be kept, and excusing it as 'just politics'. I think it's time for politicians to tell the American people the truth. So, the choice today for Indiana and North Carolina is more of the same or something new. We can keep doing the same old things the same old way. Or we can vote for change. Do we really want the same old Washington politics? Hillary Clinton has shown us what she's ready for on day one: Gas Tax 'Holiday' - This really bad old Washington idea has been tried repeatedly, and would save the average American family around $10 a month for three months IF the oil companies wouldn't raise prices in response (which they will). It would eliminate billions of dollars of highway funds needed to repair our crumbling roads and bridges. Thirty cents a day won't help much if you bend a rim on a pot hole. A gas tax 'holiday' is an environmentally unsound position, and could put 30,000 workers out of a job. Everyone, including Sen. Clinton, knows it's impossible to put this legislation in place. No one would vote for it, and if they did, Bush would veto it. It's a typical Washington campaign promise and a bad one, at that. Obliterate - No matter how you might try to rationalize it, this is the dumbest remark to come from a presidential candidate in my memory. First, there are millions of innocent men, women and children in Iran who now think someone who wants to be the next president of the United States might obliterate them. And they know we can. Second, there was no good reason to threaten Iran except to make the candidate look tough, even though most of us learned in the school yard that acting like a bully doesn't mean you're tough. Or smart. Third, it gives the Iranians justification for nuclear weapons research. Eight years of 'cowboy diplomacy' is enough. We need to get to a place where we can all sleep soundly at 3am. Economists - I think, by definition, these are people who are experts on the economy. We have serious problems, for anyone who hasn't noticed, with our economy, but the Clinton campaign thinks it doesn't need experts to help solve it. The Clintons, with their $109 million, believe that listening to economists is elitist. Whatever your field, if you consider yourself an expert, consider yourself insulted. Guns - Using right wing wedge issues in a Democratic primary should be an immediate foul. I don't necessarily disagree with Sen. Clinton's overall position on guns, but if she's going to send a mailer accusing Sen. Obama of being against the second amendment, she really should disclose her own record.

Clinton's true feelings about our 2nd amendment rights became clear to all Americans on July 13, 2006. That's when the Senate took a vote on an amendment to the Homeland Security appropriations offered by Senator David Vitter, which reads: "To prohibit the confiscation of a firearm during an emergency or major disaster if the possession of such firearm is not prohibited under Federal or State law." Look at the roll call: 84 Senators, including Barack Obama, defended gun owners. 16 Senators, including Hillary Clinton, voted against us. That says all anyone needs to know about where the candidates really stand on guns.

Jobs, jobs, jobs and jobs - In Indiana, Sen Clinton was quoted as saying "I've gone across Indiana saying that my campaign is about jobs, jobs, jobs, jobs." But jobs for who? Mexico? China? India? Columbia? Trade, of course, is vital to the global economy. But none of these trade deals ended up bringing jobs, jobs, jobs and jobs to Indiana, and they haven't helped the workers in the countries that did get the jobs. There's plenty more - fabricating Tuzla, embracing Scaife, blaming activists, threatening superdelegates, demeaning Congress, dismissing states, mocking hope, promoting McCain, dividing the Democratic party - You can say it's just politics, but it doesn't have to be. Either you want more of the same, or you want change in Washington. The truth is out there, and anyone who isn't already turned off by the kitchen sink strategy, isn't going to be. So, vote your conscience, Indiana and North Carolina. We'll wait. And hope. Video Credit: BarackObamadotcom

KerryVision Newsreel

Mon, 05 May 2008 08:29:27 -0400

There was plenty of important Senate business this past week, both in DC and in Massachusetts. But the thing that had the blogosphere cheering was when, during an MSNBC interview, the Senator said what millions of Americans have been waiting to hear. Finally, one person on the national stage had the guts to tell the mainstream media we've had enough of the nonstop coverage of stories that are not news, and that have no impact on the lives of the American people. I think maybe the fact that real news, like the administration's use of propaganda to promote Bush's war, seems to be buried or not covered at all, got the Senator a little ticked off. Really, do you think most Americans know that Sen. Clinton's dangerous remarks about Iran provoked an international response at a time when we need their cooperation? They would, if it was covered. Senator Kerry spoke at the Hyannis Jefferson-Jackson dinner, secured funding for small businesses hurt by drought, proposed legislation to help babies, worked for voting rights for veterans, pushed for investigations into tax shelter abuses, introduced a resolution to urge President Robert Mugabe to acknowledge the results of the Zimbabwe election, and held an ASP webcast on national security. He was also recognized with the first annual Father Drinan Award, and received a 100% rating from the Sargent Shriver Center on Poverty Law. Happy Cinco de Mayo. Enjoy the news.

The Underground Economy

Sun, 04 May 2008 11:32:25 -0400

Last week, Senator Kerry and Rep. John Tierney held a field hearing at Bunker Hill Community College in Chelsea, Mass. on "The Effects of the Underground Economy on Small Businesses and Workers".

�Cheaters and unscrupulous employers have created an underground economy as big as $1 trillion. Worse, workers right here in Massachusetts are being taken advantage of and not getting the benefits and protections they deserve,� said Senator Kerry, Chairman of the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship. �When some employers misclassify workers or go off the books, it hurts all workers and businesses who play by the rules. We�ve got to level the playing field, enforce the laws, and ensure everyone who works an honest day gets a fair pay, Social Security, unemployment benefits, and other protections they�re entitled to.�

NECN reported on the hearing. Although I can't find video of the hearing, I was able to locate a short documentary on the impact of the underground economy and worker misclassification on tax revenues, on workers' rights, and on business owners who play by the rules and struggle to compete in an unfair environment. Addressing the tax revenues lost to the underground economy is a step toward reducing George Bush's legacy of massive debt left for our children and grandchildren, and prosecuting employers who take advantage of workers will level the playing field for those business owners who follow the rules. As the Senator notes, it's illegal business practices that are driving the influx of undocumented workers in this country. It's time to stop blaming people who are taking whatever jobs they can get to feed their families and start looking at employers who are willing to do whatever it takes to feed their wallets. Video Credit: concernedcitizen

It's about EVERYBODY

Fri, 02 May 2008 23:06:52 -0400

If you watched the Obama speech last night, you know it's a little tough to follow that with video of a nomination hearing. But there is still the work of the American people to get done, and although it may not make the evening news, confirming diplomatic nominees is important stuff. On Thursday, Senator Kerry chaired a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing with the nominees.

Mr. Robert Stephen Beecroft to be Ambassador to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan Mr. James B. Cunningham to be Ambassador to the State of Israel Mr. Richard E. Hoagland to be Ambassador to the Republic of Kazakhstan Mr. Joseph Evan LeBaron to be Ambassador to the State of Qatar

Here are the Senator's opening remarks. The full video is available at the committee website.

Video Credit: Senate Foreign Relations Committee As Obama said in his speech last night, it's about everybody. So in that spirit, here's a bit of Obama for those of you who missed it.

Video Credit: C-SPAN