In GD - CNN transcript - Kerry says country/world need 'adult leadership'

[blm]

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=364&topic_id=2835338&mesg_id=2835338

[beachmom]

1. And a direct link here for the transcript:

http://newsblogs.chicagotribune.com/news_theswamp/2006/11/kerry_to_cnn_to.html#more

Excerpt:

BLITZER: If the president doesn't do what you're recommending, you're going to be in the majority now, the Democrats in the Senate and in the House. What specifically can you do to force them to take these steps if he in fact refuses?

KERRY: Well you know what I'd prefer to do? I'd really prefer to see all of us come together and work with the president in a cooperative way if we can to sort of have a good discussion about this. Let's not get locked in to positions that are just so intractable that we can't advance American interests.

BLITZER: But if he doesn't do that Senator, are there specific steps the Senate can do to force his hand?

KERRY: There are all kinds of things that the Senate can do. They can change the dynamics here very significantly, not the least of which obviously are serious accountability hearings. Secondly, we have the ability in the Congress to pass one resolution or another, or to put into law certain kinds of policies. I mean, you remember back in the days of the contras in Central America, the Congress passed what was called the Boland Amendment and actually forbade certain activities from taking place.
So Congress has a certain power here. I think before we get into that, it would be so much better if we could sit down with the president, with Condoleezza Rice, and really talk through how we come together, both parties, take the politics out at the water's edge, and get a policy that works for America.

Now, if you wanted to be really optimistic and see the glass half full instead of half empty, you could take the president's comments and say, we're not going to have the troops out until we have the job done, and say, OK, that can still fit with what the Baker Commission might offer, which is, we're going to draw down some troops. We're still going to get the job done. We're going to transfer authority to the Iraqis. We're going to provide enough stability because we get an international diplomatic effort that resolves the real differences, and indeed, the troops come out as the job is being done.

BLITZER: Do you think this...

KERRY: But the only best...

BLITZER: Senator, excuse me for interrupting, but do you think this president is already, though, a lame duck? I ask the question in the aftermath of his visit to Jordan, and what many observers are now
suggesting was a snub by the prime minister of Iraq. He goes all the way to Amman, Jordan. He's supposed to have dinner with the king, King Abdullah, and the prime minister, and the prime minister doesn't show up. Is he a lame duck?

KERRY: I don't think any sitting president of the United States is a lame duck when it comes to foreign policy. There's too much power in the presidency, and the interests of our country are too great. If the president reaches out to us in the Democratic Party and really tries to work together, he has a chance to have a legacy here that could be important for our nation and, obviously, for him personally. I've offered to be helpful to Condoleezza Rice. I've called her. I hope we can all work together, but we've got to be tougher in our approach. I believe personally -- and I've said this publicly -- that you have to set a date for the expectation of when the Iraqis will take over their responsibility. And if you don't get tough and have those kinds of benchmarks, then they have an excuse to avoid it altogether.






Translation of what Kerry is saying: George -- PLEASE, let me save you. I'm BEGGING you! I will come to the White House and save you. All those smears you made against me -- water under the bridge, bro. But, see, saving you means saving troops' lives. So I'm offering this olive branch because it's the right thing to do. But, here's the catch -- if you won't LET me save you, then we're going to have to play some hardball in the Congress. We'll still get what we want -- but then you're not really saved, are you? I've already talked to Condi, so, you know, you've go my number. Give me a call.

[sandnsea]

3. Translation - spot on

Bush's little 'no graceful exit' tantrum is just heartbreaking. I do not understand what he thinks he's accomplishing. I agree completely on your translation, we have a good plan, for heaven's sake let's save lives. I don't think little Georgie will allow himself to be helped by anybody at this point.

[ginnyinWI]

4. well, look at it this way:

The guy is a liar, big-time. Remember the comment about Rumsfeld staying until the end of his administration. Remember how he was going to clean up after Katrina. His words mean nothing, so don't believe them. When considering the words of a liar, just watch his actions instead--it's closer to the mark.

[wisteria]

2. Good phrase- "adult leadership".

Seems like another good interview.

[ginnyinWI]

5. Blitzer was the best one so far.

Interesting how JK fine-tunes the level of discourse depending on what program he's on. On FOX, his words are as cut and dry as he can make them, with less nuance. On Larry King the statements are simple (for simpler people to understand, presumably). On Blitzer he gets into the details and ups his vocabulary to meet the format. Now on to Hannity and Colmes tonight. I expect him to be more spare with the details once again. A skilled politician is that one. :)

[wisteria]

6. The Colmes interview was good also. Colmes mentioned Kerry being interviewed by the Baker Comm.

JK emphasized his support and dedication to our troops, mentioned his recently bill providing additional coverage for metal health issues for veterans and this time, when questioned about the "joke" he said people knew what he meant because transcripts were handed out.

[beachmom]

7. I'd like to read a transcript but I'm not sure I want to program it

in my DVR. I think they report that stuff back as "ratings". Thanks for the summary. JK really has majorly kicked ass these past two days.

[TayTay]

8. Boy, he must have been a hell of an Asst DA

in that Prosecutor's office. Seriously, I love the way he did this.

Good cop: Be reasonable, Mr. President. Come and talk to me and to the Democrats. We all have the best interests of America, of our country at heart. But you have to face facts, you are in a bind and without some wise counsel taken from others, you are not going to get out of this. Come and talk to us, we can help. This would be the statesmanlike and bipartisan way to do the people's business.

Oh, and by the way, we can do this the easy way or the hard way. The easy way is to share out responsibility. But you know, there is always the other way, the way that goes through a newly empowered Democratic Congress that now has subpoena power and the power to cut funding for this war. We could play it that way, if you want, but really, wouldn't it be in all our best interests if we didn't have to go that route?

Seriously, that was great.

[JI7]

9. he needs to highlight his career as a prosecutor and DA

i'm serious about this, it could be even more important or helpful than the soldier background.

he got convictions in rape and murder cases. that's something that would appeal to the crowd that gets scared easily and falls for the attack of "liberals want to free the killers and make you less safe" crap.

one of the biggest mistakes was not mentioning this part of his career and more of his work in the Senate such as the investigations.

most people didn't believe the swift boat liars but a lot of them did fall for the "he was a soldier a long time ago but what has he done since then"? stuff.

[blm]

10. He put away MAFIA thugs, too - but media only idolizes Giuliani for that.

.

[TayTay]

11. Irish ganagsters.

Ongoing: http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2005/05/19/flemmi_alleges_more_fbi_payoffs?mode=PF

Look at the very bottom of this article. Sigh! Friggin no-good bastids.


http://www.newyorker.com/fact/content/articles/040510fa_fact1?040510fa_fact1

Snarky, but some good stuff in this New Yorker article.


(Oh yeah, I forgot about this. http://www.gwu.edu/~action/2004/kerry/kerrvid02.html) It's miscellansous stuff. I just plum forgot.

[blm]

14. Shoulda said organized crime figures.

mea culpa.....but, when I was growing up in Cleveland, the Italian and Irish mob were working together.

[ginnyinWI]

13. that's just how it was!

He is being like the stern father or big brother confronting the wayward Chimp and giving him a chance to redeem himself. Trying to make him recall some dim idea of good behavior he might have been taught when young, before he went so far astray. Haha--the Prodigal Son.

[ginnyinWI]

12. I programmed mine.

If they can figure out it's because of JK, that's good. But anyway since the Colmes thing was a separate segment, all I had to do was FF'd the rest of it. I never want to waste even one minute listening to pure propaganda.