John Kerry

About -- United States Senator John Kerry joins us. John welcome back to -- for -- thank you for joining us. I'm delighted rerouted to but I -- much. Thank you sir in on a quick personal -- special thanks for your call just before my little procedure there in December -- I'm I have everybody says while you should go in the medical books is a textbook recovery. -- By John account and that's -- I'm not exaggerating and all -- macho man stopped it is just been a superb. Outcome doctor my governor at Mass. General is just it's God's gift god gift so why are. -- I I was thank you very much I was up in the gallery last night we're watching closely. And obviously isolated down there on the floor a lot of eyes and a TE is a tension. Given to Hillary Clinton Barack Obama watching their response I've got to tell you John. I was watching you thinking you know but for the grace of god in a couple of companies may be in Ohio and the few other places that could have been you up the air and a very different dynamic how does John Kerry sit through something like that assess that way what might have been. Dynamic of a nightlife.

His -- Washington that's beyond us with their problem and if you did you'd just admired obviously. You just can't spend time on you gotta go forward into the future and that's why. Working passionately and killing. Powerfully about Barack Obama made you just gotta go forward I think this is the moment I think Barak has it is tremendous ability to unite the country to bring people together. This solve problems I'd know he's ready INS concede it skillet -- them is more legislative experience that either of those two opponents combined state federal. He's older than Bill Clinton was Bill Clinton was elected president these older deterrent cavity older and Teddy Roosevelt these other varied experiences life is that federal security experience more so than Bill Clinton did when he became president. And I believe we have the right inspect two lived abroad is knowledge serves on the foreign relations committee with -- I'm absolutely convinced that -- You know governor sibelius Kansas going to endorse candidate governor attempt came. Was asked Ken Kenny Gwynn -- a Democrat win Virginia he's at the right Democrat. In any endorsed Barack Obama and you get this senator Ben Nelson of Nebraska which is a top state to win -- he's in -- he's already endorsed senator -- macapagal misery -- governor Janet -- not -- Arizona great mosaic you know Missouri Nebraska Arizona at the Dakotas I think it represents what Iraq brings to the table and I hope people really embrace.

Let me ask a question John not that long ago the clintons plural Billy and Hillary. Where the dollar into the democratic potty two term president lot of yearning for repeal of the constitutional prohibition on two terms and bill has really is continued to enjoy the limelight and Hillary has had a my opinion at least a fairly distinguished. Relatively short but nonetheless -- distinguished career as a still use US senator from New York. What has happened as you observe this scene on behalf of Barack Obama or in the dynamics. Inside the Senate and across the country what is happened to the clintons over the last four to six to eight weeks.

Well I don't think it's something that's happened look I admire her and Harris director of public Bill Clinton certainly supported. But what he did as president that's not the issue here you know this is about now that this is about the future. And this is about -- contest. Lead America at this moment of time if -- nominee I'll work my heart out poor and and then. You know any of these Democrats are present their opportunity to move the country forward over what the Republican agenda is in my judgment but. I think Barak. Our first something the different and special about it that's what's going on other people realize think. Pretty inspiring young people a comeback is sparing independents to come across his. Last night I president of that wear them here martian and there were many Republicans who went through the receiving -- and so debate you know why are you Republican until two weeks ago. But I think we need to change. -- receive the squabbling of Washington they see the excessive ideology they've they've CD unwillingness of people reach across they are all. And I think there is there's an ability to turn the page of history here. I also believe that -- it is very deeply in -- spent 24 years on the foreign relations committee of the pro bush represents state our country -- that capacity. I think I understand our challenge abroad as well as anyone in the country met leaders all across that the world. I see other countries fascinated by Barack Obama. I see people. As thirsty for this American story of the young man who whose father left him. Came from Kenya -- married -- camels the so you know white American it's it's it is a story about purpose in that news -- grew up without advantage without privileged and hearing is now. Inspiring the nation and I think to take that story out to the world. Is a great antidote to that. It'd idealism of Al Qaeda -- So this failed -- that we see in so many parts of the world to the corruption and other governments. And I think he could save things to other countries and other leaders that in many ways some others cap. So I I think there's a power and I really believe. That it gives life to the American story you know wonderful way that would excite people all across planet.

John there -- exit -- you've touched on briefly self their topics that almost off limits the you know political correctness of our -- don't allow us to discuss it openly and as whites are -- sometimes we might be a little bit timid in some of the states that you mentioned we have Barack Obama seems to really be developing a transformational. Message that attracts people. At the same time there will be ballot questions brought forward to eliminate a run to affirmative action as we have come to know an issue and I've come to know you and I at different times in a public Korea have talked about this. I was vote for Barack Obama sure is that an overwhelmingly white state can and will enthusiastically embrace an African American. How does how does Barack Obama present that. Transformational inspiration that you've talked about on an issue that is as divisive as affirmative action.

Well I think he's in favor of Maine hey you know we were part of amended don't end at school where -- believe there shouldn't be quotas shouldn't have quotas. You need to have a system where you have an affirmative effort. But I think Iraq may be one of the best people to help -- that needs -- ultimately. -- we can transcend that and get to a point where were adequately funding our schools where were doing the things necessary for trading and opportunity I think you'll have a society that. And may ultimately reached deployed and in many people have looked for the day were ultimately you don't need to have that. That may in fact the -- kept putting it is but it may be one of the ancillary benefits it is achieving the presidency. And there are focusing on those issues in a different way. So I think there's a lot of positive that comes out of this -- I. You know -- eight I think what's exciting about his candidacy is he's won more votes that they -- cotton is one more elegance -- Hillary what. He won an enormous number of votes as you said -- and almost entirely white states he came within a couple of thousand votes in New Hampshire which is largely a white state deep prove that he could elect because -- votes in South Carolina brought slides rich poor boy everybody came in what every cavity a couple of water to anyone cavity anyone all of demographics young old it is -- you know everything so I think it is proving disability went went I'd go to Barack Obama. I I honestly look at somebody and -- seen it like any other soccer and you know it's later you know what happens to be -- in America I don't see an African American senators in Americans and others should hunt senator senator. With great talent and skill and that's what I think Americans are seeing and that's why this can be a transformational moment. Because they can really change people's. Attitudes and begin to -- while the other guy got a great education the guys had great values and his upbringing as a young person. And that will give. Much more I think impetus to post things that we need to do to make sure that a lot of other kids get that kind of thing to. I've been arguing for years. About the obvious dust of of how we'd lose children. Young people. Often in minority communities to deter -- track for the drug tracked toward the jailed tracked. Because we don't have adults in their lives who are making a difference and I think -- Barack Obama could do more to help us address that and and and even call to conscience. Family and family values within community news -- currently are seeing a loss of some of those that assembly -- huge. Expect to be very important for our nation.

John we know you're up against the clock I want to wrote in -- to local issues together Frankie and as quickly as possible. Cape wind a fairly recent federal report on that the last time we talked you said you can hold your fire.

and bring it to step forward I think it's very positive outcome and it helps to resolve a lot of the issues. And as I have said -- end is certainly part of our future to an important part of our future. We need to do let the process work through I think it's working it's going down the road obviously that part of that that would approval to what happens as we go forward.

And last but not least Jim Logan house key candidate against but Niki Tsongas came up short but -- a fairly aggressive -- really reasonably competitive campaign. Has apparently decided to throw his hat in the ring against John Kerry I talked about this the other day innocent anybody you underestimates who enters the fray against John Kerry ask bill -- asked bill weld about 1996 and any others how do you assess that fight John and one.

They're -- primary and their side is that the only person and and you know they gotta figure it out and and we'll figure out who their nominee is obviously a lot of my record I'm proud of what I'm doing and two chairman of these small business committee we've done a lot to help open business opportunities in the state brought millions of dollars back for small businesses small business in -- corporations in addition research -- lot to fight for working folks to reduce their. Tax burden lowered taxes on the middle class so I've tried to fight for fairness in the tax system we've we've. Double locked I don't a lot of the fighting hard for our fishermen and to preserve our oceans and our bar but I taught on the picks fights -- is stop having somebody appointed to the court who's -- under the constitution ought to get our troops out of Iraq so -- all of my record and prepared to defend that but for the moment on the continue to do the job that people elected -- to do. And they'll have to figure out who their nominee is going to be.

Well listen China have been great -- time we don't you are up against the clock was a late night last that with the president's state of the union speech we -- for bright and early and it with a -- you were able to join us don't.

I have -- I'm glad you're still well we're we're we are now that a special club.

I was half highest yes we senator from.

Used to be a lot to him this sounds like you're doing just great that I know that no doctor or government authorities want to diagnosed days terrific very very still capable as is Vasco very happy that you do well.

Ya know with doin' fine job my best he bride anti -- strategy Arafat asked are you will be our bank -- got