Has anyone heard any more about whether JK is actually going to Copenhagen?

[Luftmensch067]

Now that healthcare is at a safe point, possibly... I see he's chairing an SFRC hearing tomorrow, but then will he finally be able to go to Denmark? He's done so much to lay the groundwork for some measure of success there, but in person, he is often able to work such miracles of persuasion!

[Mass]

1. News today say he plans to be part of the CODEL

My guess is that it will depend of whether there are important votes or not on the Healthcare Bill.

http://www.hillnews.com/blogs/e2-wire/677-e2-wire/71469-lawmakers-pelosi-to-lead-codel-to-copenhagen

Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.), the co-author of Senate climate change legislation, plans to attend the conference, as does Rep. Edward Markey (D-Mass.), chairman of the Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming, and Rep. Henry Waxman (D-Calif.), chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee.

[Luftmensch067]

2. Thanks! n/t

[MBS]

3. somewhere I read (no time to check for source now)

that he's the leader of the congressional delegation. (By virtue of his senatorial position, and his seniority, this is arguably an automatic moniker).

[Inuca]

4. This week-end maybe?

I have no info whatsoever, but I did hear Reid last night say that he will let the boys and girls get out of town this week-end, i.e., no week-end Senate sessions.

[Mass]

5. More here

http://www.cnsnews.com/news/article/58318

Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.) will travel to the United Nations global warming conference in Copenhagen, Denmark on a commercial airliner, a senior Kerry aide told CNSNews.com.

“The senator expects to travel commercially as he has to past climate conferences,” the aide said, adding that the details of Kerry’s travel arrangement were contingent opon the Senate’s schedule.
...

(surprisingly long article about Kerry for CNS)

[Luftmensch067]

6. Nice article! Also...

This may be the big story of the day:

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senators John Kerry (D-Mass.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), and Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.) will hold a press conference today to discuss the Senate’s progress on comprehensive climate change and energy independence legislation.

It’s going to be in the Senate Radio and TV Gallery at 2 pm. I’ll get a story up as soon as I can this afternoon.

Found here: http://climateprogress.org/2009/12/10/graham-kerry-lieberman-press-confence-bipartisan-climate-and-clean-energy-bill/

p.s. Do you think Joe did it ALL just so he could be known as an Icon (I-Conn.)? :-)

[karynnj]

7. Surprisingly long and not negative!

I wonder if this Kerry effort to reach out to evangelicals on this issue may have had some positive reaction. (Though obviously they are poles apart on most issues)

Buzz up!

On Tuesday, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee's chairman and ranking Republican, John Kerry and Richard Lugar, will hold a briefing that will bring scientists and evangelicals together to share their concerns about climate change.

Big names will be there, including Richard Cizik, former vice president for government affairs at the National Association of Evangelicals, and Nobel laureate Eric Chivian, a physician who heads Harvard Medical School's Center for Health and the Global Environment.

Kudos to Kerry and Lugar for bringing leaders in the science and faith communities together to highlight their shared concerns about climate change.

http://www.thedailygreen.com/environmental-news/blogs/republican/climate-for-change-book-47111501

From this article on that effort, Lugar is a key target (they mention that Inhofe is not persuadable (duh))

The handful of Senators trying to rustle up support for Obama's energy and climate change legislation in Congress could certainly do with some inspiration, or even divine intervention – so an initiative this week by scientists and evangelical leaders is especially timely.

Members of the two camps paired up in a campaign on Capitol Hill to lobby Senators to support the bill. Evangelicals are the bedrock of the Republican party and are often seen as sceptical of science, from global warming to evolution. So the initiative's core argument is: if evangelicals can find it in their hearts to support action on climate change, why can't senators have a similar conversion?

<snip>
Among the top targets of the evangelical-scientist lobbying effort is Richard Lugar, the most senior Republican on the Senate foreign relations committee who said last week he could not vote for the current version of a climate change bill. "Senator Lugar we would hope would take a higher-profile leadership role," Cizik said. "We think there are ways to bring Republicans like Lugar on board." Lugar co-sponsored a senate briefing about the initiative with Senator John Kerry on Capitol Hill yesterday.

Other Republicans apparently are beyond redemption on the issue of climate change though. Senator James Inhofe of Oklahoma has famously called global warming a "hoax". "I am not persuaded that Senator Inhofe will ever be convinced that the science of climate change is real and urgent," said Cizik.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/blog/2009/nov/18/evangelical-christians-climate-science

[Luftmensch067]

8. I won't count him out yet but

Senator John Kerry, Democrat of Massachusetts and chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, told colleagues on Saturday that Democrats could not send a delegation to the United Nations climate change conference in Copenhagen.

“It doesn’t look like we’re going -– not as a delegation,” Mr. Kerry told colleagues as a he left the Senate chamber after a vote on a package of spending measures. “Harry needs the people here on health care.”

More here:
http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/12/12/health-care-to-keep-democrats-from-copenhagen-conference/

I'm glad to see his Kos diary and I know he'll be doing everything he can here, if he can't go, but I still think he may make it for a quick visit. We shall see!

[MBS]

9. this is too bad

. . .especially if the Repubs send people like Inhofe (hopefully, though, he'd need to stay at home for the same reasons as the Dems)

[MH1]

10. I think it really stinks

the HCR bill isn't good enough for it to be worth keeping people like JK from Copenhagen. But it has. (Because if it weren't for the HCR debacle the other stuff could have gotten done sooner.)

[wisteria]

11. This from Politico.

http://www.politico.com/blogs/glennthrush/1209/Kerry_Boxer_may_skip_Copenhagen.html

"The Senate's Democrats delegation may be forced to skip Copenhagen to deal with the pre-Christmas health care push -- but Senate aides say that John Kerry, a climate change crusader, may salvage his Wednesday speech before COP 15 with a quick trip and return to the Capitol."

[Luftmensch067]

12. If anyone can do it....

One or two plane trips a year do me in, I don't know how he does it! Fingers crossed!!!

[wisteria]

13. Yeah, it is amazing that he would even consider this, but it does mean a lot to him.

And, it was reported that he was taking a commercial airline. Although, that might not be workable if he has to hurry back to Washington. We shall see.

[karynnj]

17. Given the timing, if he opts to take a private jet, he has the excuse of timing

caused by the Republicans - and he could say he canceled commercial jets because of a childish move by McConnell.

[YvonneCa]

14. I agree he can di it if anyone can. But I think...

...McConnell is purposely trying to make it impossible. Did you see him delaying the last closure vote until Saturday? He seemed to be enjoying making it difficult for JK. JMO.

[MH1]

16. I am sure Mr #1 Roadblock Republican has it in for JK

can't say I completely blame him*, considering JK did go after him, but he shouldn't have been such a roadblock in the first place!


(* as a political payback; OF COURSE I blame him for being the jerk that he is, and more importantly for standing in the way of progress on an issue as critical as climate change)

[MH1]

15. that's (a little) good news

I hope JK can go.

Still it would have been much more valuable for JK to be at the conference for a significant period of time so that he could interact with other scientists and leaders and possibly have a part in negotiations (since he is knowledgeable about climate change and good at negotiation).

In fact, if all he is going to have time for is to give his speech ... I hate to say this but ... it might be better if he just did it as a webcast. Why even waste the airplane fuel (and the resulting emissions)?

[karynnj]

18. A web cast would be just as good, if he has no time other than the speech

I assume that he has been using the phone and other technology all along.

If he takes a commercial flight, I doubt his weight will require the use of that much additional fuel.

[Luftmensch067]

21. I'm still crossing my fingers

It would have been great for him to be there at the beginning, but it sounds this morning like things are going so badly (developing nations possibly stopping participation in protest?!) that I feel JK's presence could actually make a huge difference. He must be champing at the bit, hearing this stuff...

I'm trying to comfort myself by knowing that no matter what happens in Copenhagen, JK will NOT give up on this, and that when he puts his mind to a problem and his shoulder to the wheel, things tend to move that were thought forever immobile. But those Roadblock Republicans sure have some bad karma on this one.

[MH1]

19. Inhofe is planning to go too, and give a big F U to the world

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x4183134

brings new meaning to the expression "Ugly American" doesn't he?

[MBS]

20. Indeed.

Horrible.

[Blaukraut]

22. Like they'll even give a shit about Inhofe over there

That self-important prick actually thinks he is important enough to be able to effect the outcome of the talks? All he is doing is making even more of an ass of himself. He's doing a fine job of it over here, I guess he feels he needs to take his circus act on the road. Idiot.

[Luftmensch067]

23. Yes!

COPENHAGEN Senator John Kerry (D-Mass.), Chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee and lead author of the United States Senate's comprehensive climate change legislation, will deliver a major address at COP15, the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen, Denmark.

In his address, Senator Kerry will highlight critical steps towards combating the climate crisis as well as outline America's commitment to reducing pollution through comprehensive legislation from the United States Congress early next spring.

That same day, Senator Kerry will hold a press briefing to provide an update on U.S. Climate policy. 

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

1:15 pm (Denmark)/7:15 am (EST)

[MBS]

24. Excellent!!!! n/t

[YvonneCa]

25. I agree. Excellent. I also read...

...that Arnold will speak on Tuesday. My Governor drives me nuts...BUT on this issue, he does well. :)

[beachmom]

26. That's good he is going.

But I am feeling pessimistic about our agenda today. A monumentally bad news day, starting with Lieberman putting revenge above what is good for the country.

[wisteria]

27. Yes indeed. I am pleased he is going and am looking forward to the speech. n/t

[beachmom]

28. Interesting Twitter conversation

drgrist @Devilstower Please do not, in your anger, perpetuate the ridiculous myth that the #climatebill is worse than the status quo.

27 minutes ago from TweetDeck in reply to Devilstower

wonkroom WATCH: CNN confirms Dems will drop Medicare buy-in. http://tr.im/HDD7 #hcr

28 minutes ago from web

markos RT @Devilstower: Senate has turned the climate bill into something worse than the status quo, and now HCR joins it. Heckuva job, Brownie.

28 minutes ago from TweetDeck

nytimes Democrats Likely to Drop Medicare Expansion http://bit.ly/52kVEN

29 minutes ago from web

Devilstower Senate has turned the climate bill into something worse than the status quo, and now HCR joins it. What's the phrase? Heckuva job, Brownie.

31 minutes ago from web

ezraklein Health care reform in a nutshell: the facts have an anti-Lieberman bias, but senate math has a pro-Lieberman bias.

32 minutes ago from Tweetie

Devilstower If HCR reform goes down as currently predicted, Canada is too close. I'm moving to New Zealand.

38 minutes ago from web

I have to say, the environmental writers/activists are more mature than the Netroots, and I say that on a very disappointing couple of days/weeks.

[wisteria]

29. I agree abouth the netroots. I find it hard to take many seriously anymore. n/t

[beachmom]

30. They are for sure in favor of killing the hcr bill.

I just don't know how to deal with such immaturity. I agree with Ezra Klein that it can be fixed down the line. But without this first bill passing, we'll get NOTHING.

[MBS]

31. " " " " "" " n/t

[Luftmensch067]

32. Totally agree!

Including about the immaturity!

[beachmom]

33. And the orange hat people unite in their revolt.

http://theplumline.whorunsgov.com/health-care/howard-dean-kill-the-senate-bill/

In a blow to the bill grinding through the Senate, Howard Dean bluntly called for the bill to be killed in a pre-recorded interview set to air later this afternoon, denouncing it as “the collapse of health care reform in the United States Senate,” the reporter who conducted the interview tells me.

The differences from 2004 never went away. There were just more pressing issues that superceded those differences.

There is a reason why I post in the John Kerry forum, and not in the Howard Dean forum. The above is why. Howard Dean is being highly irresponsible here. I swear as disappointing as it is to see the public option stripped from the bill, the entire thing collapsing is a million times worse. Remember, the P.O. would affect 3% of the people. This will affect 100% of the people.

[Luftmensch067]

34. OMG!

That's deeply obnoxious.

[beachmom]

35. Heh. And they're off:

emptywheel President Kerry's political reserve was very effective RT @daveweigel Dean is exhibiting all political skills that made him 44th president

Actually, in this case it has nothing to do with Kerry. This is about Dean being reckless and catering to the "netroots" who by the way were outsmarted by Lieberman in Conn. I never liked Joe Lieberman, but I was not pleased with what they did in CT in '06, not thinking through the consequences. Everyone I talked to in Ct just did not feel Lamont was up for the job. They thought he was good on Iraq, but not great on other issues. But Markos and friends will never admit that they screwed up.

[karynnj]

37. Hard to know how to take that twitter

as "Dean is exibiting all the political skill that made him 44th President is more damning to Dean, while "emptywheel" is not positive, he does say Kerry's political reserve (which I guess means refusing to act like an angry, volatile guy) was very effective.

I think you are right and it is notable that Dean is following the more negative of the netroots, rather than leading them and he, like in 2003, is leading them AGAINST something. I have hated for a very long time that they and Dean made it all about the public option. Someone needs to ask Dean if his own 2004 plan, which did not have a public option, would be worth passing.

[beachmom]

38. Emptywheel is Marcia Wheeler who posts on FDL.

It's easy to understand it. Dave Weigel rightly calls out Dean as being as politically inept as ever, and a (probable) Deaniac (Emptywheel is a Kossak as well) decides to knock Kerry in response.

[karynnj]

39. Thanks - I didn't realize Easy wheel was a person.

[wisteria]

40. I was just thinking today that we created this Lieberman monster.

And, you are correct, that election was not well thought through. I never cared for Leiberman either.

[karynnj]

36. Dean has been completely scitzophrenic on this bill

The fact is that his excellent 2004 plan did not have a public option. There were some good threads today on Daily Kos, which surprised me. These were both on the rec list this morning - http://www.dailykos.com/story/2009/12/14/22490/845'
and http://www.dailykos.com/story/2009/12/15/4024/7653 (I love the title of the second one - which is very worth reading - it has a chart showing the impact on a family of 4 with income of $54,000.

Both make the point that the biggest purpose of the public option is to bring down costs - something that ultimately needs to happen and which, possibly under another name or method has to happen.