Meet the Press: Senator Kerry on Egypt

[ProSense]

Meet the Press: Video

Transcript:

<...>

(Kerry)>> i was encouraged by what i heard this morning. i thought mr. elbaradei actually moved. i think what we have heard from egypt about the meetings that vice president suleiman is, frankly, quite extraordinary. if you tally up what's happened in the last 12 days, president mubarak announced that he is not running. his son is not running. he has put a vice president in place. he has engaged in a dialogue with the protesters. he's now promising to remove the emergency law which is a major opening of the door to the democratic process, allowing people to organize, speak, meet at a cafe. i think that's a beginning. the most important thing now is to guarantee the process is in place where there are free and fair elections. parties can organize. people can campaign and, number two, that president mubarak, i think once again perhaps addressed the nation to make it clear what the timetable is. precisely what the process is. i think if that happens, this could actually turn significantly to the good and to the promise of a better outcome.

>> as you know the administration has been very careful in what it has said and when it said it. frank wisner was dispatched to egypt to send a message to mubarak that it was time to step down and not run for re-election. he spoke over the weekend suggesting that mubarak should not go right way away...what is the u.s. position about what mubarak should do now?

(Kerry)>> the u.s. position is crystal clear. beginning with the fact that ambassador wisner, a distinguish distinguished diplomat was speaking for himself about the constitutional process. the fact is that egypt has a lot of options with respect to the constitutional process. i spoke with general suleiman yesterday. i spoke with amir mousser today. there is an enormous diplomatic effort in place. i credit the administration with a remarkable outreach effort. on super bowl day maybe it's not inappropriate to use the term, the flooding of the zone that's taking place with the germans, with the french, with the british, with many other players, the turks. there are a huge number of people trying to move this in the right direction now. i think mr. wisner's comments don't reflect where the administration has been from day one. that was not the message that he was asked to deliver or did deliver there. now, that said, the president has been clear. the secretary of state had been clear that the president wants change. he wants it immediately. he wants it to be meaningful and orderly. those are the terms that the president set out. the secretary of state said --

>> quickly, senator kerry, you said mubarak should go. could you see him staying on for a period of time in an interim period of time that would be stabilizing? would you support that?

(kerry)>> david, what i said in the op-ed i wrote last tuesday was clear and carefully chosen. it said he must step aside gracefully and begin the process of transition to a caretaker type of government. i believe that is happening right now. that is previously what's going on with vice president suleiman, not president mubarak. vice president suleiman engaged in discussions with the opposition. what i think is needed now is clarity about this process. i think that's missing. if president mubarak--

>> he could be a figurehead? he could still be president in name only?

(Kerry)>> well, first of all, let's be crystal clear. it's not up to us. it's up to the egyptian people to decide what is going to happen here. that negotiation is taking place right now. we ought to be elated that they are, in fact, sitting down, that the army has restrained itself, that some semblance of order, even as there are protests, is being restored to the streets. i think that can be enhanced significantly if president mubarak were to state even more clearly what the process of transition will be to this sort of -- you could call it a consensus government. you could call it a caretaker. what is important is that the egyptian people understand that their demands are being met, that there will be an election, that it will be open, fair, free and accountable. and that they will have an opportunity to go to the polls and choose their future. that's the most important thing. one final thing, david. we have learned from gaza and we have learned from lebanon and we have learned from other experiences that just doing something, quote, having an election, doesn't bring a democracy. you have to have an orderly process in place that guarantees the rights and the security of the people and that moves forward in a confident way. we want to do this right.

<...>

[wisteria]

1. Thanks for posting this. n/t

[politicasista]

2. Doesn't matter. Sounds like some

Obama supporters (aka Obama Democrats) weren't too happy with what he said, based on this Tweet from a staunch supporter of the President:

Sen. Kerry hate to burst your bubble... but this was coming and known about as well... domino's falling

[ProSense]

3. What does that mean? n/t

[politicasista]

5. Probably this quote:

“I don’t think anybody, even in Egypt, knew it would happen when it did.”

Sounds like he was talking about the protests and he, like others were caught off guard. :shrug: The comment doesn't sound that impressive, it came from a staunch Obama supporter. Or it could have meant something like stay out of this, Senator because Obama's got this and don't need no help.

The Senator is in a Catch 22 situation with the Afghanistan hearings thing, some Obama supporters aren't going to like it because it may seem like he is undercutting Obama, undermining the administration on this issue (but he isn't). There is a reason that karynnj's thread is getting unreccds. IDK.

[ProSense]

7. Think about this:

If it wasn't spontaneous, don't you think the government and military would have suppressed it?

Revolutions aren't announced, and while people may know the conditions exist, they have no idea when and if one is going to erupt.

Could there be a revolution in another country? Sure, but does anyone know when and if it will happen?

[politicasista]

20. Don't know much about this issue, but

it's something to think about. Been watching sports, reading and listening to music more. Maybe the President's supporters don't want any Democrats (ally or not) saying this that could be seen as undermining "MY/OUR" president.

Why they have a problem with a Dem helping out with an Obama agenda IDK.

[karynnj]

27. He was defending the administration - NO ONE has questioned Senator Kerry's responses

- a fact that he graciously does not point out. Read Kerry's first comment - and you will see it was far better than the comments made at the same time by Biden (Mubarak is not a dictator) and Hillary (Egypt is stable). Kerry spoke positively of the non-violent protest - and connected it with Ghandi and MLK. These comments helped in the Middle east - with many commenting that AJE suggested that this and the Kerry op-ed were what Obama wanted to say. In fact, they were what Kerry did say - and he said it as John Kerry, Senator from MA.

As to Afghanistan it is not a Catch 22. The Senator's responsibility is to provide oversight on this. He can not in good conscience say that because he is an ally of Obama he does not want to hold hearings or that he should be quiet if he thinks the plan is wrong. That is NOT who he is - there are somethings more important than politics. Not to mention, it is not breaking news that the policy that Obama CHOSE to implement is not working and that it is losing support. It is not losing support because of anything Kerry said but because the gains seem ephemeral and the costs in lives and money very high.

The concern that some have written in the past is that Kerry, because he is an ally would avoid doing this - and there are some who might suggest he would do so to retain Obama's favor. The idea that Kerry, with his history, would do the very thing that he in a heart breaking question asked in his 1971 testimony - Where is the leadership? - is not understanding Kerry. Holding hearings on Afghanistan is a responsibility - and as Kerry said, he does not represent the Obama administration - he represents Massachusetts. In addition, he has to live with his conscience - and he should follow it, not the political game of being a Presidential favorite.

As to my thread getting unrecs - what thread in this environment doesn't. There have been tons of Obama threads that get unrecs. Not to mention, I went back to the thread - wondering negative things people had posted - there really were not any. The closest was a post from me in response to someone asking why there would be any unrecs. The fact is the thread got 16 reaccommends - a pretty nice number for an article saying that Kerry will hold hearings.

[politicasista]

28. I am probably on everyone's ignore lists

after the over the top things said, but it's all from observation and having to defend the Senator from people that say that Democrats have abandoned this President when they haven't (some, not all). Appreciate the Senator for making the connection with Gandhi and MLK, and work of stabilizing the Middle East.

Guess some people are just sensitive about anyone or anything that is seen as being in the way of the Obama or his administration and react defensively, it's pretty crowded under the bus now. (Maybe will stop reading anonymous tweets, since I don't tweet and/or visiting Pro-Obama blogs). It's unfortunate that many don't understand the role of the SFRC and how it and the Chairmanship works, or see every Kerry statement as something Obama himself "wrote."

No way should the Senator stop doing his job! (He does it good) And this is coming from someone that was hoping he got chosen for a cabinet spot, but things have a way of working out for the better. And indie voice is better than being a "Yes man" IMHO, and he is better suited for that spot despite the complaints from people of MA. He should represent them, just have some tasty humble pie. :) (that isn't negative, that is positive).

Don't come to GDP/GD much, and see people unreccing informative Obama posts, as unfortunate as that is. Just venting about the last few days/weeks about people dissing the Senator to promote the President, when they have nearly the same FP DNA. They may have a different way of inspiring people ("some" see Obama's inspiration as hopeful, engaging, and uplifting, and Kerry slightly different,) but they are still good Dems. And your thread was positive, FP doesn't generate much interest in GDP, but 16 recs isn't bad.

Don't understand much about the issue so will be out of the way now. Peace.

[karynnj]

34. If you were on everybody's ignore list, you wouldn't get all the responses that you do

:)

As to the "complaints from the people of MA", those are the people who elected him 5 times to the Senate, 1 time to the LT Governor spot and gave him a higher percent of their vote in 2004 than they gave JFK. He won last time with nearly 67% of the vote (a HIGHER percent than Obama got in the state vs McCain.) I did a small amount of phone banking in 2008 in the primary - making about 100 calls. It was the most positive experience that I ever had making calls. The majority of people cut me off from the short script to say of course they were voting for "John". Some did not realize their was a primary challenge - and expressed anger against his, unknown to them, opponent. I hit only about 5 or 6 Democrats not willing to volunteer that he had their vote.

Kerry should listen to the complaints and his office should look for ways of reaching more people personally, but the SAME things were said in 2005 - 2007. But, one thing that countered that was that at least one approval poll, where Kerry was under 50%, also showed that in head to heads with the strongest possible Democratic and Republican challengers, he was 20 points ahead in the weakest showing. To me, this suggests that their is "interviewer bias" in the approval polls - quite independent of the people making the calls. It is well known in opinion research that many people try to give the answer they thing the person wants to hear. In Kerry's case, the years of sarcastic coverage and attention to weaknesses over accomplishments and strengths, probably leads to many "noes" on approval questions. But, when faced with Kerry vs anyone, some of the very same people who just said "no", pick Kerry.

(I suspect that Brown benefits from the opposite - the CW is that he is a nice guy (me I would bet on JK as the nicer), an independent (though there are few times where he really was the deciding vote - many times he agreed after other Republicans did). Many Democrats might feel that they should say they approve because he has been independent. The question is whether a good Democratic candidate, who could point out that Brown will "vote" for McConnell as majority leader, could regain anyone more in line with Democratic values. This is one reason Kerry beat the very popular (70 approval) Republican Governor in 1996. )

[politicasista]

35. True

:)

Nothing more to add to another excellent post :).

(Still taking a wait and see approach on these SOS rumors--hope he can stay in the Senate cause he is becoming very valuable by the O team and there can be a lot of drama in presidential administrations. He would be a good SOS too, but still). IMO, the media is getting bored with the Middle East Egypt crisis, and there are no GOPers to hype up--so far! :silly:.

[Mass]

24. Once again, you take one person (not sure whom) and make a general statement.

BTW, this person was also criticizing Obama as Obama has said more or less the same thing. Anyway, he was stating his position, not supporting Obama or bashing Kerry.

[politicasista]

29. Ok. didn't see that

I will stop reading/lurking tweets since I am not a tweeter find some thicker skin. I am probably on people's ignore lists, since I don't have a lot of meaningful things to add, but don't like it when people prop up the President to slam other Democrats that are working with Obama; and people that claim to be from MA saying garbage about your Senator when he is one of the few good ones left. But all pols are criticized, so no need to add anything else.

Don't know much about this issue, so appreciate everyone informative comments. Peace.

[karynnj]

26. If it was known to be coming, then why were Hillary, Biden and Obama initially uncertain

how to respond. The fact is that Kerry WAS DEFENDING the administration and doing it well. In fact, he did argue that the forces that caused this were known, but that even people in Egypt did not know that something like this was going to happen before it did.

[politicasista]

30. Not many answers

probably because they don't want Obama or his administration (that includes Biden and Clinton) to be seen as not being on top of their game. There has been a lot of rants this week directed at the media, Dems/GOP, pundits, or anyone that is being seen as standing in the way (or worse, sabotaging) of the POTUS. (why that is, don't know).

People will jump on me for taking pot shots at him, but appreciate Kerry for defending the administration (he didn't have to, but he has integrity and puts country ahead of politics, (even if people may never see that, more power to him).

Don't have anything else meaningful to add so will be in lurk mode now. Thanks for the posts. Peace.

[CTyankee]

4. I wish that they would not put so much makeup on Kerry. He looked really odd.

The makeup had too much brownish tones in it...

[mix]

6. happy smiles everyone

Except the opposition is not happy. Kerry is dissembling by saying that "it's up to the Egyptian people do decide..." The US has thrown its weight behind the military and Sulieman, two notoriously anti-democratic forces. There will be no democracy in Egypt under Obama, unless the revolution can overthrow the American-sponsored oligarchy...an unlikely proposition since the Americans keep them in power with training and weapons.

Egypt opposition wary after talks
The opposition members and the so-called "wise men" who were there were saying to me afterwards they were very sceptical about the government's good faith. So they demanded a series of confidence-building measures.

Those include ending immediately the state of emergency which has been in force for 29 years and enables the government to do whatever it likes to supersede the constitution; and other measures, including an end to the incitement to intimidation which they believe is going on on state media.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-12377179

Imperial charades.

[ProSense]

8. "Happy smiles" from

ElBaradei

So many experts.

[mix]

9. You are misrepresenting Elbaradei.

The regime you are helping to prop up with misinformation has lost all "legitimacy" in his view.

"There has to be heavy engagement by the people, by the civilians," he said. "So we are not in the greatest situation right now. It's a very opaque situation, and it's a very tense situation."

He proposed the creation of a transitional presidential council that would prepare the country for free and fair elections. That council could include Suleiman or an army representative, as well as a civilian representative, he said.

ElBaradei said any elections before "the right people establish parties and engage" would be "fake democracy."
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/babylonbeyond/2011/02/egypt-mohamed-elbaradei-says-he-wont-negotiate-until-president-steps-down.html

Effusive, isn't he?

[ProSense]

10. Misrepresenting him?

That came directly out of his mouth on CNN. Watch the video.

[mix]

11. He's rejecting the US solution to the unrest.

Egyptian opposition figure Mohamed ElBaradei slammed fledgling negotiations on Egypt's future on Sunday and said he was not invited to the talks.

The Nobel Peace laureate said weekend talks with Egyptian Vice President Omar Suleiman were managed by the same people who had ruled the country for 30 years and lack credibility. He said the negotiations were not a step toward the change protesters have demanded in 12 days of demonstrations calling for the ouster of President Hosni Mubarak.
http://af.reuters.com/article/egyptNews/idAFN0614530420110206

Elbaradei is not playing your game.

[ProSense]

12. So you're going to deny his own words and keep posting articles?

"Elbaradei is not playing your game."

I'm not the one playing a game, and ElBaradei's comments were clear.

[mix]

13. "Clear"? How so?

This should be interesting.

[ProSense]

14. This

clear.

[mix]

15. a clear rejection of the US-backed response nt

[ProSense]

16. At least you're backing away from the claim his own words are a "misrepresentation." n/t

[mix]

17. If you are claiming that Elbaradei is pleased with the talks,

you are doing the misrepresenting...I never intimated that he was.

[ProSense]

18. A member of Elbaradei's

group is pleased

ElBaradei called them a sham on MTP, and indicated he was not invited to participate.

The CNN appearance was not about the talks. He talked about the need to establish a transitional government.

[mix]

19. your spin is not impressive nt

[ProSense]

21. It's not spin because you don't like it.

FYI

[Name removed]

22. Deleted message

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

[ProSense]

23. ElBaradei's own words aren't distortions of his position.

The links to the videos are there.

[mix]

25. Explain his position in your own words.

I have. How do you understand his reaction to this first round of talks?

He considers them merely a reinforcement of the Old Regime. His proposal contradicts the official US position.

Or do you see otherwise?

Your posted material contradict your claims.

[jillan]

31. I have it recorded on my DVR - going to watch the man who should've been President right now.

[YvonneCa]

32. ...

... ;)

And thank goodness he continued to serve, and didn't just go away. :patriot:

[wisteria]

33. +1 n/t