Kerry ranked among most powerful members in Congress.

[wisteria]

This is the second story I have seen on this and in the first one, Senator Clinton ranks above him (?). (no link)

However, it is this line from the article below that absolutely stunned me,

Sen. Kerry took a lot of influence points," he said. "He has more front-page media coverage, primarily as a result of being a media darling."


http://www.southcoasttoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080309/NEWS/803090304">here

[karynnj]

1. This writer is insane. Kerry - a media darling? That's not how I remember

2004 or since - maybe, just maybe, it is because he is involved on nearly every key issue. I think it reflects how often he has been on talk shows and how good he is on them.

Clinton, Obama and McCain all rank above him - because they are in the race for President, and for Clinton, it is her link to Bill. I suspect that when they recompute this after January 2009, Kerry will be in the top 10. One of them (Obama, I hope) will be President, thus not counted. The other will lose some influence points, without gaining anything in senority, chairs etc).

[Democrafty]

2. I'm not sure it's unfair to call him that - even though the

coverage of JK's actions is usually really flawed, he's commanded more media attention than other senators since '04.

[ladym55]

3. "Media darling" isn't quite the term I'd use

You bet he's had lots of exposure, but he is willing to put himself out there and speak out. He's involved in trying to make a difference. He gets lots of coverage, but "media darling"??? I don't think so. JK never gets a free ride, softball question, or anything of the kind.

If I had to take all the snarkitude he's had to put up with over the years, I would SO be windsurfing and skiing and enjoying my life. That's one of the reasons I'm such a fan of his. He takes hits and keeps coming. And he does it with grace and style.

[JI7]

4. what a joke, he is no media darling and the exact opposite of it

his influence is based on him doing well among regular people. the worst thing people might be able to say about him is that maybe he wasn't a good candidate or not willing to get dirty enough in a campaign and even much of that came from the Clinton camp.

but nobody can question his experience, qualifications, trust etc when he speaks on just about any issue.

the media hates him because he was able to easily win the nomination without not just their help but their constantly claiming his campaign was over. they hate it that he still continues to go out there doing what he always does.

[wisteria]

5. I agree with everyone. I felt like saying to this person so when did this happen?

I must have missed it.
He still has pundits taking shots at him. And, his media time is when he is working hard doing his job or defending or supporting others.

Although, Keith Oberman and MSNBC has been fairly good to him recently. I hope it lasts. I would like to see Senator Kerry become a real media go to guy.

[JI7]

6. i think one thing Kerry does well when he himself gets on TV

is that even if the person asking questions is negative towards him he ends up looking good.

the problem is always when they don't have Kerry on and just make up something he said without giving the actual quote and context and especially not just playing him saying it. this was a constant problem in 2004.