Sen. John Kerry got the Small Business chairmanship!

[The Sushi Bandit]

does that mean that he is now "Small Business"???!!!

[saracat]

1. Kerry has always fought for small business.I believe he was once the chair before.Am I mistaken?

[blm]

7. He's been ranking member for some time now. Don't think he ever chaired before.

And now he gets subpoena power.

[SouthernBelle82]

9. That's great!

Kerry has been doing legislation for small businesses even after he "lost" in 2004. I remember he did a bill with *gasps* Rick Santorum on giving other people of faith besides Christian's the ability to take off for those holiday's.

[Mass]

2. Nope, but that may mean he cares for ordinary people enough to try to do something for them.

(contrarely to some people who are more busy by their personnal glory).

[wisteria]

3. Nope, this is a big committee position. Small Business' are what

add to our country's economic growth, discovery and employment.

[Totally Committed]

4. It's a very good match for him.

He'll do well in this position.

TC

[blm]

5. He's ALWAYS worked to help SMALL business over large corporations.

Why would any informed, voting Democrat not know that by now?

Haven't you figured out by now WHY corporate media has targeted Kerry relentlessly since June 2003?

Kerry Seeks to Reverse FCC's "Wrongheaded Vote"

Commission Decision May Violate Laws Protecting Small Businesses; Kerry to File Resolution of Disapproval

Monday, June 2, 2003

WASHINGTON - Senator John Kerry today announced plans to file a "Resolution of Disapproval" as a means to overturn today's decision by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to raise media ownership caps and loosen various media cross-ownership rules.
Kerry will soon introduce the resolution seeking to reverse this action under the Congressional Review Act and Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act on the grounds that the decision may violate the laws intended to protect America's small businesses and allow them an opportunity to compete.

As Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, Kerry expressed concern that the FCC's decision will hurt localism, reduce diversity, and will allow media monopolies to flourish. This raises significant concerns about the potential negative impacts the decision will have on small businesses and their ability to compete in today's media marketplace.

In a statement released earlier today regarding the FCC's decision, Kerry said:

"Nothing is more important in a democracy than public access to debates and information, which lift up our discourse and give Americans an opportunity to make honest informed choices. Today's wrongheaded vote by the Republican members of the FCC to loosen media ownership rules shows a dangerous indifference to the consolidation of power in the hands of a few large entities rather than promoting diversity and independence at the local level. The FCC should do more than rubber stamp the business plans of narrow economic interests.

"Today's vote is a complete dereliction of duty. The Commissioners are well aware that these rules greatly influence the competitive structure of the industry and protect the public's access to multiple sources of information and media. It is the Commission's responsibility to ensure that the rules serve our national goals of diversity, competition, and localism in media. With today's vote, they shirked that responsibility and have dismissed any serious discussion about the impact of media consolidation on our own democracy."

[Totally Committed]

6. Then, maybe now that they'e begun to bitch-slap him publicly,

he'll FORMALLY leave the Corporatist Whore wing (the DLC) of the Party, and come on home to the Left where the little guy needs a Senator he can trust (read: NON-DLC) to represent his interests.

I live with that hope.

TC

[TayTay]

8. Depends on how you look at it

The DLC has splintered into two different groups. One is The Third Way, which is openly still aligned with the DLC. The New Democrat Network, which Kerry actually joined in 2000, has split off and is different now from the DLC. (They used to be a part of them.)

Kerry is much closer to NDN than DLC. He was more sympathetic on their take on trade than the DLC (there is a difference) and closer on economic issues in general. (NDN is more progressive as a whole than the DLC is.)

http://www.ndn.org/about/

http://www.dlc.org/ndol_ka.cfm?kaid=128

That said, there is no evidence at all that Kerry is with either group right now. (And it was a bit of an open question in '00 when it was sort of reported that he was, but sort of not. Al From hates the guy. There are very deep divisions on a lot of issues, very deep and abiding divisions. Kerry is much, much more liberal than DLC and more progressive than the NDN as well. I think this was more of a alliance on some issues than a wholesale join anyway. The education alliance has fallen apart, the trade alliance has completely fallen apart and the work on welfare is not what it was 10 years ago. All these issues have advanced, so the associations were rethought.)

EDIT: One more thing. NDN lists Mike McCurry, former White House Press Secretary
as a member. He is working for the corporations to undermine Net Neutrality. Kerry was an early supporter of Net Neutrality legislation. Big difference.

[Totally Committed]

11. All very good points, Tay Tay...

But, there are those on the Left that have trouble trusting or supporting anyone aligned with these "Centrist" (I say "Conservative") splinter groups. If Kerry is no longer aligned, he should say so, and openly. I am not the only one in my political circle who feels this way, by a long-shot, and he would be doing himself a favor to disavow them ASAP.

As I said, I live in hope.

TC

[cadmium]

12. There are a few of a different stripe and

as a practical matter all Dems have to align with the DLC at times---or at least not be sworn enemies. As an example, Kerry's effectiveness in the senate this coming term may be hindered by his ardent and consistent support of Ned Lamont v Liebermann. Liebermann has implied in public (on the Imus Show) that he will be seeking revenge.

One of Kerry's friends in bucking the establishment has been Gary Hart--Another independant thinker who was marginalized by the DC crowd. They are in synch on a lot of issues ---Gary Hart has done a lot of writing since leaving the senate.

[SouthernBelle82]

10. I don't think he's been a member of them for a while

I don't think he's been with them since 2003 at least. I know one of the other Kerrycrats would know about that too. Kerry has ALWAYS been anti-corruption. Just because he is or was a part of that group doesn't mean he is with them on everything if anything. Please learn your Kerry history. BCCI for example is a good start.

[Maddy McCall]

14. Speaking of history....

How's community college going?

:D

[LittleClarkie]

13. I don't get what you're trying to say

Even if it's a joke it doesn't make sense.

And if you think it's funny that he's the chairman of the Small Business committee, apparently you don't own a small business.