John Kerry: "Being an ex-President does not give you license to abuse the truth."

[jefferson_dem]

Transcript: John Kerry On Barack Obama, Hillary Rodham Clinton And More

© National Journal Group Inc.
Friday, Jan. 25, 2008

<SNIP>

Q: So, senator, you have endorsed Barack Obama, and this week, of course, the campaign was absolutely consumed with these charges and counter-charges, and it seemed to many of us that Obama's message about hope and change was pretty much drowned out. What happened, here?

Kerry: Well, I think you had an abuse of the truth, is what happened. I mean, being an ex-president does not give you license to abuse the truth, and I think that over the last days it's been over the top. Things have been said about Barack Obama's positions that are just plain untrue. It was said in Nevada, it's been said about Social Security, it's been said about Yucca Mountain, and it's been said in South Carolina. I think it's very unfortunate, but I think the voters can see through that. When somebody's coming on strong and they are growing, people get a little frantic, and I think people have seen this sort of franticness in the air, if you will.

My sense is, Barack Obama offers a better opportunity to pull America together than any other candidate in the race. If you look at the fact that the governor of Arizona, a red state, Gov. Janet Napolitano, has endorsed Barack Obama, former governor and now senator, Ben Nelson of Nebraska, red state, has endorsed Barack Obama. The two senators from North Dakota and South Dakota, the Democratic senators, have endorsed Barack Obama. Claire McCaskill, the senator from Missouri, Gov. Tim Kaine of Virginia, was asked the question, "Can a Democrat carry Virginia?" And his answer was, "the right Democrat," and then he endorsed Barack Obama.

So, I think Barack Obama has the ability to pull the nation together, to offer the kind of inspired leadership that we need to tackle some very serious problems, and to make America stronger in the world. And that's why I'm for him.

Q: Let's just go back to what you said right at the beginning. So you are saying, then, that former President Clinton is the one who has been abusing the truth?

Kerry: I think there has been an overreach with respect to what Barack Obama has said and when he said it, and I think it's been unfortunate, but I don't think we ought to spend our time there. I think people want to focus on what are you doing to do to get my health care, what are you going to do to get my job?

I think that Barack Obama, for instance, has a stimulus plan that is important to the workers of South Carolina and to the rest of the country. Because, first of all, it's smart. It's not going to be a long-term budget increase, it's going to be a temporary one; it's targeted to the middle class; it's targeted to poor families who need the relief. But it also provides money to business investment -- business incentive in order to help create the jobs we need to move the Economy and he focuses also on the sub-prime housing crisis, which I personally believe is one of the single most important components of restoring confidence in the Economy.

Q: Of course, Hillary Clinton is running a very focused campaign on the economy and now certainly her own stimulus plan was criticized by some but she has former President Clinton's Economic record to run on, how does he push back against that, that's a very powerful asset that she has.

Kerry: Sure it is, but people again need to be able to distinguish. Look, I supported the programs, a lot of things that we did in the 1990s, but I think everyone understands we had a technology boom in the 1990s which was unprecedented, and everybody benefited from that. We made some tough decisions and we ought to be proud of them, about the budget and the deficit. But the fact is, that was not Hillary Clinton making those decisions. It was a different team, at a different time.

In fact, Barack Obama has more legislative experience than either of his two opponents. He served eight years in the Illinois legislature and now several in the United States Senate, in total, he has more legislative years. And if you look back in history, Abraham Lincoln had only two years in the United States Congress, and then he lost. He was sent back to Illinois in shame, ran for the United States Senate, lost his race for the Senate, then was nominated to be the leader of his party. And he became, arguably, our greatest president in history. So I think you have to look at the breadth of experience, and the type of experience.

You know, I look at Barack Obama: He's older than Bill Clinton was Bill Clinton became president. He's older than John Kennedy was, he's older than Teddy Roosevelt was and he has a broad experience and has proven his ability through his campaign to be able to lead and to pull people together. And again, I go back to what I just said -- look at the coalition he is building: Nebraska, Arizona, Virginia, Missouri, North and South Dakota. These are the states where we need to build that kind of new coalition, and I think he's attracting independents and Republicans and Democrats who are fed up with the way things have been. We gotta change.

<SNIP>

http://nationaljournal.com/onair/transcripts/080125_kerry_john.htm

[Demeter]

1. So, Kerry's Down on Bill?

Paint me surprised--that explains why he lost.

[sniffa]

10. Yeah, because Bill fought so hard for Kerry in 2004.

[forsberg]

25. Kerry didn't even fight for himself

[karynnj]

36. Yes he did - he was out there fighting every day

It was an overwhelming task to defeat a President at about 50% approval in a time of war. It didn't help that he had a party in shambles, the media against him and some people who should have been on his side sitting on their hands.

[Inuca]

40. "sitting on their hands" and

waiting for 4 years to pass and have the field to themselves.

[LittleClarkie]

44. I keep hearing things like that. As if trading favors is more important

than standing up for what you think is right.

Endorse Edwards, because he was your running mate and you owe him. (even if he won't take your phone calls)

Don't talk against Bill, because he worked so hard for you four years ago. (even if Hillary did dog pile on you with everyone else about "the joke")

So he endorsed Obama. Maybe just maybe he actually believes in the guy.

[karynnj]

35. No Kerry who has taken on liars since 2004

is likely extremely upset that Clinton is willing to use lies. Clinton has always had a willingness to not tell the whole truth - we knew that before he got the nomination in 1992. Kerry is among the most honest politicians there is. On this value, they are completely at opposite ends of the pole.

[surfermaw]

37. Kerry should have waited a day, the connection to Obama and K...is coming out today stay tuned

If

[zanne]

2. I love the way Hillary debates with "Well, Bill is not here...I am."

Then she lets Bill ride roughshod over her opponents. Playing "Strong Woman, Weak Woman" doesn't get my vote.

[moobu2]

3. That’s a very smart strategy and

Why she’ll win the primary and GE

[Alexander]

6. It's weak. It shows she can't win without her ex-prez husband playing dirty.

Which is why, even if she does win the primary, she will lose the GE by a margin not seen since Dukakis.

[formernaderite]

32. i'm afraid you are correct

and am unfortunately resigned to the fact the clinton machine will ensure her victory in the primaries. It will be interesting to see what third party candidates spring up.

[Az_lefty]

4. mine neither. It's the same tag team approach they have used in the past

I don't believe there are many left who are fooled by it, except here at DU.

[Dante_]

5. never thought I'd say this on a site, but Kerry is an idiot

now I have a lot of explaining to do.

but Kerry is in no position to tell President Clinton what to do in a campaign in which his wife is a candidate.

[ProSense]

7. Here:

We love Bill, he has high ratings! We don't care if he is secretive (against full public disclosure) and lies frequently.

Kerry isn't telling Bill what to do, he's saying Bill isn't telling the truth.

NYT endorsed Hillary:

As strongly as we back her candidacy, we urge Mrs. Clinton to take the lead in changing the tone of the campaign. It is not good for the country, the Democratic Party or for Mrs. Clinton, who is often tagged as divisive, in part because of bitter feeling about her husband’s administration and the so-called permanent campaign. (Indeed, Bill Clinton’s overheated comments are feeding those resentments, and could do long-term damage to her candidacy if he continues this way.)

link

Now who's the idiot: days after the 2004 election, at the Clinton library inaugural, Bill pulled Rove aside and said:

"Hey, you did a marvelous job, it was just marvelous what you did,"

Yay, Bush won by cheating!

[Dante_]

11. okay. Obama and Bill do not always tell the truth

I'm up with that

[elixir]

14. You seem to be the master of snipets. Oh, great snipet master. No context provided.

[ProSense]

17. Link to the endorsement provided and the context to this statement:

Indeed, Bill Clinton’s overheated comments are feeding those resentments, and could do long-term damage to her candidacy if he continues this way.

[elixir]

28. Karl Rove and the Clintons - does not compute.

The Washington Post makes for a questionable source.

On March 26, 2007, Chris Matthews said on his television program, "Well, The Washington Post is not the liberal newspaper it was, Congressman, let me tell you. I have been reading it for years and it is a neocon newspaper".

Of course, I don't believe everything, or anything for that fact, that Tweety says but in this case, he's on the mark.

[Dante_]

19. HEY! I resemble that remark. What is your problem?

Huh, huh, huh?

[karynnj]

39. He has the moral authority as a man who has lived his life with integrity

to speak about the fact that Bill Clinton is being extremely dishonest. Kerry has excellent credentials on being honest.

Bill won in the easiest possible year for a Democrat - Bush was at 33% at election time - because of the economy, Iran/Contra and BCCI, and the fact that everyone was sick of him.

Should Kerry have taken Clinton's advise in 2004 and endorsed the gay bashing amendments?

[zulchzulu]

47. Kerry will call a liar a LIAR...if you can't deal with that, it's your problem

[GalleryGod]

61. I think he earned it....

a little jewelry (the Silver Star) that Bill will never see in his cufflinks box !

and then he risked it all...for those of us STILL over there.

Meaning- ME and my boys.

[OHdem10]

8. Interesting Coalition. The Most Conservative Senators who

vote with GOP. Conservative Takeover. What does Kerry wamt
a nicer GWB Administration.

[sniffa]

12. Kerry's a conservative?

I had no idea. :wow:

[Inuca]

38. Most conservative senators !?!?!

:rofl:

[Adelante]

9. Well, that's certainly straightforward

And correct.

[question everything]

13. If Bill did not have to undergoe emergency bypass surgery

he would have campaigned on behalf of Kerry.

One can only wonder whether Kerry would be reacting that way.

[MH1]

18. Bill found plenty of time to promote his book in the summer of 2004.

Or do I have my timeline screwed up?

Then there was the opening of the Clinton library where Bill said he liked George W. Bush and John Kerry equally.

Without getting into the little daggers from Hillary herself, it isn't really too surprising that Kerry is not supporting Clinton. Although I KNOW without a doubt that he will support the Democratic nominee, even if it's Clinton. Probably with far more effort than the Clintons supported him.

[karynnj]

43. Your timeline is perfect

and the news media all commented at the time that the Kerry people must be furious at BC for taking all th eoxygen in the vital month before the nomination. Not to mention, that the reporters all when to same thing in the book first - the index to look through the letter, "L" and they all reported he did it because he could.

Interesting that he took the time before Gore's convention with a confessional interview.

[zanne]

41. I underwent emergency bypass surgery.

I had six bypasses done. I went back to work a month later.

[GalleryGod]

69. Bill DID come through...I was there!

Before 100,000 in Philly.

[Name removed]

15. Deleted message

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

[ProSense]

20. John Kerry could kick your ass! n/t

[Dante_]

26. I agree. Kerry is a tough bastard. But he is not a saint.

[GalleryGod]

71. Affirmative!

[elixir]

16. A great man does not always make for a great president...John Kerry.

John couldn't talk concisely and coherently during his campaign, how do you expect him to do it during this one? Don't get me wrong, I supported him and think he's a terrific statesman but, boy, can he stink up a campaign. BO should keep him quiet.

[ProSense]

31. Well,

Kerry won NH and Iowa during the 2004 primary. Kerry's campaign set and still holds the Democratic record for raising $3 million online two days before Super Tuesday, and topped that with the most successful fundraising day ever with $5.7 million. He got the most votes, more than 59 million, of any other presidential candidate, incumbent or otherwise, except Bush, who still had to resort to vote suppression and other dirty tricks.

Did Hillary win Iowa and NH?

here.

[karynnj]

48. Milllions saw the debates

Kerry is among the best spoken and articulate politicians we have. If he was such a bad speaker, the media would have played more footage from his excellent rallies. Kerry is an extremely eloquent man. I have noticed many in the press picking up the frame he used when endorsing Obama - without crediting it.

Consider this: ask yourself what Bill Clinton's most famous line is and what Kerry's is. I think that will tell

[jackson_dem]

21. As an ex-president Kerry should know

Oh wait. Kerry lost because he didn't fight for himself in 2004. At least he learned his lesson and is attacking the Clintons on behalf of Obama. Too bad he didn't do that with Bush and the rethugs in 2004.

[Fabio]

22. Misleading topic

i dont see this anywhere/

[Adelante]

27. It's a direct quote from the second paragraph nt

[DrFunkenstein]

30. Well, Actually

Kerry: "Well, I think you had an abuse of the truth, is what happened. I mean, being an ex-president does not give you license to abuse the truth, and I think that over the last days it's been over the top.

Things have been said about Barack Obama's positions that are just plain untrue. It was said in Nevada, it's been said about Social Security, it's been said about Yucca Mountain, and it's been said in South Carolina."


There's also another word for abusing the truth in a systematic way.

[AtomicKitten]

23. Thank you, John Kerry.

[forsberg]

24. Kerry is a dour loser whose endorsement carries no weight, he needs to shut up

[ProSense]

29. Carries enough weight for you to make this comment. n/t

[zanne]

42. I'm sure you didn't sound like that in 2004. nt

[GalleryGod]

68. He can say what he wants. Whenever.

[pacalo]

33. I love John Kerry, but I think there's bad blood between him & the Clintons.

The night Kerry made his acceptance speech at the 2004 Democratic Convention, I remember seeing a brief camera shot of Hillary & Chelsea sitting in the balcony. Hillary had the most sour expression on her face, as though she were half-heartedly there. I remember Hillary turning to say something to Chelsea, who then laughed, & then another sour, but smug, expression from Hillary. She doesn't like Kerry, is what I was thinking. It all fits in retrospect.

[Dante_]

34. Kerry is a victim of his own press. He thinks...

...he is the watch dog and school hall monitor on attacks. You can't run a campaign without them because any criticism of a person or their beliefs or their record can and will be taken as an attack.

It is a campaign fight,,,not a dance contest. The GOP was lame last night

[karynnj]

49. You can make HONEST criticisms of record and character

Kerry made stronger, more on target attacks on how Bush took the country to war and how he fought it than anyone else.

[mtnsnake]

45. Being an ex-President is something John Kerry dosn't know a thing about so he should just STFU

as far as weighing in on what ex-presidents should say or not say.

If Jimmy Carter says so, then I'll listen, but I'm not listening to someone who couldn't even beat an imbecile or fight back against him.

[Inuca]

50. Perfect logic

So let'see... Carter and Bush Sr. are entitled to express an oppinion, anyone else... quiet or else mtnsnake will bite you.

[mtnsnake]

52. Did I say Bush Sr? I don't think so.

Fuck him.

[Inuca]

55. Yes, I did

Carter and him are the only two living ex-presidents, except Clinton of course. By your logic they are the only ones allowed to express an oppinion about BC. That's all.

[ClericJohnPreston]

46. "Francticness"

Sorry John.....you are a complete moron. Not being able to remember the correct word, frenticism, substituting a Bushism, "franticness", is bad enough. When you show you are no more than a prancing buffoon, because you gave away the 2004 Election, folding like France, and then argue , without reason for Obama, you are clearly an interested shill.

Kerry has no credibility left.

[Mass]

64. Well, may be you should open a dictionary! Here is one -

http://www.m-w.com/dictionary/franticness Seems you are the complete moron,

[NJSecularist]

51. Is there any Democrat on this fourm whose integrity hasn't been called in question?

Wow. It's amazing. John Kerry is a great man and anybody who thinks otherwise is a fool, plain and simple. He lost an election. Oh well. He wasn't the first, and he won't be the last from our party. From the beginning, he has always represented our party and its ideals well.

I have to question if you are even a Democrat if you hate Kerry that much. Would don't these people just go vote for the Repugs? We don't need them in the party anyways.

[ClericJohnPreston]

53. Thank you

for your own litmus test of whether or not a POV is Democratic enough for YOU.

Kerry did more than just lose an Election...he THREW it, without challenge, to Bush. It left a very uncomfortable John Edwards with a frozen expression on that stage. At least one person on that ticket wanted to put up a FIGHT, not surrender.

Kerry has been appropriately marginalized. He allowed swiftboating and is as corporate as they come. After all, his wife was heiress to the Heinz fortune.

Sorry, but I want MY party back from the RIGHT WING of the DEMOCRATIC PARTY. I want a true LEFTY agenda again. Call me old school, but those are the core precepts of this Party, not a conciliatory bi-partisanship with RETHUGS.

It isn't one thing, but hundreds of things about Kerry that undermine his credibility.

He is a Quisling. No wonder that flip-flopper loves Obama.

[LittleClarkie]

56. If you go against my candidate, you must be a liar

That does seem to be the pattern, doesn't it.

I wonder what they're saying about my Senator Feingold, since he's come out against Edwards.

[YvonneCa]

62. That's what I thought, too, as I read so many negative...

...posts. My thoughts, from another thread:

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>


I wonder if there are really Democrats on DU. We won't need to worry about Republicans defeating us if we defeat ourselves.

I just wish there was less 'attacking our own' and more 'research ways Kerry continues to fight' around here. Kerry's endorsement and support for Obama is a continuation of his life-long fight on our Democratic issues.

John Kerry is not the enemy. I wish he had had the information and court support to complete a REAL recount in Ohio in 2004, too...but he didn't. We really needed him as President. I'm grateful every day that he didn't just fade away into the woodwork. He never stopped fighting...just changed his tactics (something Bush never learned how to do, by the way :7 ).


Thanks, Senator!
:patriot:

[AGirl]

54. "Being an ex- president nominee that lost the race for the white house

does make you a loser."

[ProSense]

57. Losing an election doesn't preclude an ex-presidential nominee

from calling out an ex-president on his lies.

[AGirl]

59. You're right,

I just like saying it.

[GalleryGod]

67. I'm glad,then that I fought for your ability to express same.

Lt. Gen. Hal Moore (R) congratulates Col. Bruce Crandall upon his Congressional Medal of Honor.
Awarded 41 years after LZ X-ray. And, yes, I took this photo. We Air Cav guys "rally round" even to this day!

[GalleryGod]

65. Hi, Rook ! Before your time....

Kerry received a piece of "jewelry" our country produces only..it's called the Silver Star for Combat heroism.

[Clintonite]

58. Its about Kerry shows some backbone! But does anyone care!?!?

[YvonneCa]

60. Welcome to DU...

...Clintonite. And yes, I do care.

[GalleryGod]

63. Those of us who served,do. Always Have.Always Will.

My hero, Col. Hal Moore (L) receives the dead & wounded report at LZ X-ray.
In modern day political vernacular, Col. Moore was a real "flip-flopper" when he
CHANGED tactics at X-ray,and went on to annihilate 1,965 PAVN's with only 395
1st/7th Air Cav Troopers.

GARRY OWEN!..Senator Kerry and while I'm AT IT, Senator Haigel and Senator Webb.

[Mass]

66. You care enough to post an attack, apparently.

[Barack_America]

70. This is what Obama needs. Let him get back to his message.

And let his surrogates deal with *them*.