John Kerry diary at kos in defense of Speaker Pelosi

[globalvillage]

Senator Kerry has a diary up at kos this morning defending Speaker Pelosi.
Check it out.

Supporting Speaker Pelosi
by John Kerry
Sun Apr 08, 2007 at 04:43:10 AM PDT
We Democrats should’ve been unapologetic this week defending Speaker Pelosi because the truth was on our side: She had a right to go. And she was right to go. The coordinated attack on her trip to Syria was as inappropriate as it was irresponsible. And when that happens to a Democrat, we should all damn well stand up and be counted in our support, or else we hand partisan hacks on the other side a dangerous victory. They thrive on destroying our leaders – we can’t let them. Especially when we’ve got the moral high ground.

more at:

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2007/4/8/7259/09964

[Robbien]

1. The media cycle has moved past the point to include responses

such as this one.

It is a good response, but the main players have already played their game and are now all on vacation.

[Tellurian]

3. Isn't Pelosi's trip Uncle Timmy 's topic on MTP this Easter morning?

Russert's job is to cast aspersions and doubt on the Democratic Party as the party of usurpers and NO gooders!
I didn't hear who will be representing the Dems. Has anyone?

[Robbien]

5. That is why this Kerry posting is just wasted space. Way too late

When the Pelosi attacks first started, Atrios, TalkingPointsMemo, MyDD and several diaries over at Kos were out there yelling at all of us to contact CNN and the media. We in the grassroots were put on early notice to be out there defending Pelosi's ground.

Kerry strolls in on an Easter Sunday morning and submits a chastisement for Congresscritters.

Well Kerry, the time for the push was back then. Now it is all over but the chatter.

[globalvillage]

6. Senator Kerry issued a press release on April 3.

He's not a blogger, he's a Senator. Where are all the other Dem Congress members' blog posts defending the Speaker?

Carl Levin is talking about it now on "This Week". Guess he doesn't think it's too late to discuss.

[ProSense]

9. So what those blogs did was enough? Have they effectively stopped the attacks?

It's a call to action. The media should get a million letters even if they don't print them. It still says outrage and they will take notice. Don't cede this level of public outcry to Republican enablers. Also, don't be fooled the media reads Daily Kos and DU, hell they even report on Senator Kerry's e-mail messages. Do you ever wonder how smears that begin in wingnutville make it into the media? Every venue to give voice to our concerns is a valuable tool to counter the media noise and right wing attacks.

[Robbien]

12. I am not sure what point

you are trying to make.

The discussion here was that congresscritters did not do their part in the Pelosi in Syria battle. I believe you are correct if you are saying the progressive online effectively did their part.

Congresscritters are the ones who sat on their hands and we needed their participation/leadership.

[TayTay]

33. Unless you count the press coverage

of Sen. Kerry defending Speaker Pelosi this week while he was on the road on his book tour.

I can understand the knee-jerk desire to kick Democrats and pretend that they are not listening. Perhaps you didn't know about the defense by Kerry of Pelosi which was said this past week. But it is wrong to assume that it didn't happen just because you didn't hear about it.

Sen. Kerry has been strongly defending real Democrats against the apologists for this war. Perhaps someone involved in the Connectict Senate race last year can tell you about Sen. Kerry and his strong support for Ned Lamont and how Kerry was one of the few Democrats to actively campaign for Lamont and actively take on Lieberman on his lies.

Or we could just forget and complain. I guess the need to defend Democrats means the need to defend only a few chosen Democrats. How sad.

[blm]

34. Only a handful, including Kerry did defend Pelosi - now that Dem pundits and

lawmakers DID SIT ON THEIR HANDS and let Pelosi take undeserved heat the last couple days, Kerry is asking US to step up and keep defending her and that means pressure media and our congress to stand up to the lies.

I would guess that some Dems are getting pretty damn sick of the other Dems too fearful to stick their necks out for those who do.

[karynnj]

18. Kerry issued a very strong siupporting statement

early last week. He also did speak of it in several interviews he had and at at least one of the book events - in SanFrancisco.

My question is where are the other high profile Democrats. The only other one I heard last week was Jimmy Carter. Where is Bill Clinton? This is the type of thing where an ex-President is in a unique place to speak.

Why criticize the one person who has always been among the first to support other - even Republicans - when they are wrong.

Also, look at this in terms of what they will do in 2008. This is their echo chamber.

[flpoljunkie]

11. Fox News Sunday is getting ready to discuss Pelosi's trip to Syria with their "all star panel."

The story will not die. Kate O"Bierne just said on Russert that the Republicans were sending the nasty Washington Post editorial column about Pelosi's trip all over the country.

[globalvillage]

4. Senator Kerry released a statement on 4/3

He's talking to us in the kos diary. His press release defending the Speaker came last week when the attack started.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 3, 2007

Kerry Defends Speaker Pelosi Against White House Attacks

WASHINGTON D.C. – Senator John Kerry (D-Mass.) issued the following statement today, defending Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) against White House attacks concerning her trip to Syria. Senator Kerry traveled to Syria with Senator Chris Dodd (D-Conn.) on a Middle East tour in December 2006, where they met with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

Senator Kerry’s statement is below:

“America would be stronger if the White House started listening to Speaker Pelosi, Secretary James Baker, countless Republicans and everyone else who understands that effective foreign policy often requires talking with countries who aren't our friends.


“Senator Specter has visited Syria. A Republican Congressional delegation was in Damascus this past weekend. In fact, until this administration came along, treating dialogue as a means rather than an end used to be Foreign Policy 101.

“There is certainly no guarantee that we can turn Syria into a more constructive force in the region, but the current policy only guarantees more of the same. The Baker Hamilton Commission found potential for cooperation with Syria in averting a disaster in Iraq. That potential should be put to the test. Washington can't remain on the sidelines. Conversation is not capitulation.


“Conversation can be worthwhile, and it’s clearer by the day that the Baker Hamilton Commission’s recommendation of resuming direct dialogue with Syria should be pursued. I hope Speaker Pelosi will debrief the Administration, so they may see the merit of this approach.”

[Robbien]

7. Ask yourself why that got almost no play

When dealing with a GOP attack, one does not defend. That means you lose in the eyes of GOPers and the media.

GOPers attacked saying Pelosi had no business being out there. A good response would have been a push back against Bush and the mess he made in the area by ignoring it hoping it will go away.

Saying "oh look Nancy's over there. Good. Perhaps she will tell us what she's learned when she gets back. Bush should listen too." gets no notice.

[globalvillage]

8. It would have got more attention

If a few others would have spoken up like Sen Kerry did.

In S.F., Kerry blasts critics of Pelosi's Mideast trip

Friday, April 6, 2007

Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry came to the strong defense of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Thursday for her trip to the Mideast, saying in San Francisco that a high-profile critic of the trip, Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney, has little credibility on the issue.

...

"It's important for Americans who wish to be informed. ... It is important for our leaders to be informed,'' Kerry said. "This administration has made the world more dangerous by not talking to people. And I think we have a responsibility to talk to them.''

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2007/04/06/MNGJOP41AE1.DTL

edit punctuation

[Robbien]

10. Look, if Kerry had been aggressive and on the attack from word one

Notice the article starts out saying Kerry is defending Pelosi. Big red sign to GOPers, Dems just lost.

That is what Kerry still has not learned. The article needed to start out saying Kerry is attacking GOPers for their mismanagement. GOPers made such a bad mess Pelosi had to go in and try to recover. Big red sign to GOPers, GOPers lose.

[ProSense]

14. "The article needed to start out saying Kerry is attacking GOPers..."

Senator Kerry didn't write the article. Write a letter to the editor and criticize their framing. That's the point of the Senator's current diary.

You are still responding as if this attack is over and no more needs to be said.

[Robbien]

19. The Pelosi in Syria battle is over

GOPers won. They have moved on.

What is happening now is just chatter.

GOPers are eating their Easter eggs and planning their next attack.

[ProSense]

21. "GOPers won."

You are part of the problem. Enjoy your eggs!

[Tellurian]

29. I agree with you Robbien..

Kerry defends the democrats and Pelosi, when he should be thinking as a prosecutor attacking the WH and the GOP.
There is an effectual difference as to how those words are publicly perceived. And who wins or losses in the eyes of
the public. But the usual occurs when you post constructive criticism here. We become the target of attacks rather than the GOP. They just don't get it, and most likely never will.



...I'm dining out this afternoon. So, a Happy Easter to you and yours

[ProSense]

31. Republicans only win when Democrats give up the fight

The GOP's effort to "demonize diplomacy" is aided by a complicit media, Lieberman and others who fail to vigorously defend Pelosi.

[AtomicKitten]

35. Rove 101.

Kerry defends the democrats and Pelosi, when he should be thinking as a prosecutor attacking the WH and the GOP. There is an effectual difference as to how those words are publicly perceived.

Attack your opponent's strengths; offense trumps defense.

Good call, Tellurian. Never thought of it that way, but I definitely can see that being reduced to defense always makes a player look weak. Better to turn it around and attack, attack, attack. And there is plenty of material with which to attack the WH and GOP.

[Name removed]

37. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Name removed]

38. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[JI7]

39. really, you need to read this post before you tell anyone to chill out

[AtomicKitten]

40. You need to read the part I high-lighted and was commenting on.

I wasn't commenting on the entire thread nor on any other posts.

If some of you have your knickers in a twist about the tone of the thread or what somebody else has posted, that's not my fault, and it sure as hell is not a reason to go off on me in the kneejerk way like some of you do.

I was commenting on specifically what I hight-lighted, nothing more, nothing less. And my response had entirely to do with general tactics against the GOP.

[globalvillage]

15. the SF Headline is

"In S.F., Kerry blasts critics of Pelosi's Mideast trip"

What, exactly is your point? It wasn't soon enough (4/3)? It wasn't strong enough (see headline)? He didn't do it exactly the way you wanted him to?

Or maybe you're just looking for an excuse.

My question remains unanswered. Who did more better? Senator Kerry has been speaking out about the lack of diplomacy by this admin loudly and repeatedly. I say let's not attack the few on our side who are willing to take a stand.

The Senator's point here was to defend the Speaker, which he did very well, IMO. If you don't agree, perhaps you can point to a better example from another member of Congress.

[Robbien]

25. Okay my point is

Not against Kerry so much but against the whole Democratic congress. Where was the coordinated attack? The grassroots got their shit together but where was congress?

Oh heck, I don't really know what my point is. I am just tired of all these defensive singular efforts being put out by Democratic congresscritters which get us no where.

Apparently the only Democratic congressional organization available is for lobbying interests. The GOP is organized and in constant attack mode. Dems are out in the bushes begging for money.

[globalvillage]

27. I agree with you.

We need all of our Dems to speak out when one of our own is unjustly attacked. Speaker Pelosi deserves no less than the full support of the Dem members of congress for her efforts toward diplomacy in the ME.
The Dems should defend her, just as they should all have defended Sen Kerry and Congressman Murtha and others when they were attacked.

Sadly, they don't. Frustrating, isn't it?

Happy Easter, Robbien.

[fedupinBushcountry]

17. What the hell

are you talking about? You make no sense whatsoever, and by the way Kerry did not write the article. Geez.

[karynnj]

22. You have to do both

Kerry has been attacking the GOP on Iraq and foreign policy since 2002. Yes, 2002. He also here is giving needed support to Pelosi.

Rather than quibble over words, why not ask where other Democratic leaders are? Other than Carter, I've heard none of them. Where is Bill Clinton, who is creditted with "teaching Democrats to fight back"?

Kerry wrote the DKOS post, but not the MSM article.

[karynnj]

24. Have you ever led either a movement

or been elected to be the standard bearer of the party? Kerry did both.

[RestoreGore]

2. In other words, don't dare speak your mind?

So tired of these partisan political games.

[Tellurian]

13. When addressing the Bush WH, everything said, should be said with outrage...

and giving some play to the Senator's observations of Arlen Spector wearing a path out to the ME, he's been there so many times. With a follow up of a nasty innuendo like.."Is this president against peaceful accord happening in the Middle East?" And mentioning, "Spector has accomplished nothing, except wasting taxpayer's money funding these little junkets that turn out to be no more than vacations paid for with tax payer dollars."

Ah- just saying it, makes me feel better.

[globalvillage]

16. Do you have a link to Sen Clinton's defense of Speaker Pelosi?

I haven't seen it.

Thanks.

[karynnj]

26. Or a link to Bill Clinton's response

because after all, he taught Democrats how to fight back - Hillary told us so. So, I assume he led the way.

Also, as a former President, he could add gravitas and strength if he were saying what Senator Kerry is.

[JI7]

36. don't know, but i read something about how he will distance himself

from pappy Bush for the current elections.

[mloutre]

20. And the WH and the MSM would probably be more impressed with the Specter outrage

...that you advocate if you might just take the trouble to actually spell his name correctly, too.

(Hint: it's spelled correctly in the OP...)

[Tellurian]

23. I leave correcting typos

to people who specialize in minutia. Lack of good manners and the minutia obsessed go hand in hand. I'll take the typo.:hi:

[mloutre]

28. It's not a typo if you keep repeating it over and over again.

Then it's just a regressive misspelling by someone who's too careless to pay attention to details when they post about a public figure.

[Mass]

30. Good diary that follows several previous calls for Pelosi.

including this one in SF:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=273x129513

(Clearly, people in SF noticed, even if others did not).

On an side question, it is difficult to understand why this thread has turned in an attack against Kerry. At least, he said something, which is more than many leading Democrats.

[Cha]

32. Thanks, Senator John Kerry!

I saw Kerry on the tv for a second this morning before I went out..why isn't there anything on DU about his appearance?

[antiimperialist]

41. Kerry says: Arlen Specter has visited Syria 16 times since 1984

Just one of the interesting facts that i learned reading this masterful piece in the Dkos by Kerry.