Reply #1: Mostly nice

[karynnj]

I agree with your conclusion. It also is possible that the meeting was far more two sided. It sounded like he told Kerry two things - that they hadn't chosen who to pick and that he thought it would be too tough. As this was 2 days before the announcement, I would guess that Kerry had likely pretty much made his decision. I assume that before making his statement, he met with and thanked the people who have been with him throughout his career.

It was very early for Schaitberger to endorse anyone - and he this says he did not rule Kerry out. His view that it was too steep a hill was the prevailing wisdom. I doubt Kerry was expecting that they would back him that early - so this seems more like 2 men who greatly respect each other meeting and painfully agreeing that it wasn't a go (on either side) for 2008.