Bob Kerrey is an Ass

Bob Kerrey endorsed Hillary Clinton today.   But that's not why he's an ass.  

It was the way he endorsed Hillary that blows:

"Even before John Edwards was chasing ambulances in North
Carolina and Barack was voting ‘present’ in the Illinois state senate," Senator Clinton was involved in major policy initiatives, he said.

I've heard a lot of prominent people endorsing various Democratic candidates in this primary election, but I haven't heard any of them make such condescending, downright insulting endorsements.  It's become increasingly clear that the Clinton campaign is taking the low-road of negativity and pessimism in this campaign.  

Calling John Edwards an "ambulance chaser"?  Is this how a democrat refers to a former colleague who stood up for injured clients against large corporations and won?  And is every civil attorney then an ambulance chaser?  I'd like to know how some of the lawyers who frequent Daily Kos feel about this low blow.  

And as for voting present, it is a common procedural tactic in the Illinois Senate, so another cheap shot.  

On the other hand, perhaps we should at least give the guy some credit for not saying anything about Obama attending a "secular madrassah".

•  tips/flames

  The Clintons are breaking my heart with their slimy campaign.  

  by gobacktotexas on Fri Jan 11, 2008 at 07:26:23 PM PDT

  •  Hillary's campaign...

    is not responsible for the stupid things people who endorse her say.

    by Trix on Fri Jan 11, 2008 at 07:27:47 PM PDT

    •  Agreed. HRC is not endorsing Kerrey

      or his comments so far as I know. So, let it be. Kerrey is talking like a dope.

      by RudiB on Fri Jan 11, 2008 at 07:30:42 PM PDT

      •  it seems that at the very

        least there is a pattern here of outrageous and offensive statements coming out of people who have close ties to the Hillary campaign.  

        by gobacktotexas on Fri Jan 11, 2008 at 07:35:13 PM PDT

        •  Certainly Kerrey has shown his true colors

          Hired gun.

          by Quicklund on Fri Jan 11, 2008 at 07:44:37 PM PDT

          •  Ummm... he's not a paid staffer

            therefore, he's not a "hired gun".

            by Trix on Fri Jan 11, 2008 at 07:45:08 PM PDT

            •  He donates his slime for free!

              by humphrey on Fri Jan 11, 2008 at 07:56:31 PM PDT

            •  depends on how you get paid off

              no money down, but a promise down the slimey road.

              by MadAsHellMaddie on Fri Jan 11, 2008 at 08:07:36 PM PDT

              •  Right... I forgot

                Everyone who endorses Hillary is after a cabinet position, if not the VP slot.

                by Trix on Fri Jan 11, 2008 at 08:09:20 PM PDT

                •  I didn't say that either and you know this too.

                  go ahead and champion that kind of filth.  The rest of us will shower.

                  by MadAsHellMaddie on Fri Jan 11, 2008 at 08:24:27 PM PDT

                  •  How am I championing filth?

                    And how do you figure my comment was not implied in your comment about a "promise down the road"?

                    What the hell else could you have been referring to?

                    by Trix on Fri Jan 11, 2008 at 08:26:08 PM PDT

                •  actually not everyone

                  but a lot of the top level people in fact are

                  by gobacktotexas on Fri Jan 11, 2008 at 08:33:01 PM PDT

                  •  Got any evidence to back that claim up? n/t

                    by Trix on Fri Jan 11, 2008 at 08:34:03 PM PDT

                    •  Or to show that...

                      this is any more the case with people endorsing Clinton than those endorsing Obama (or Edwards)?

                      by Trix on Fri Jan 11, 2008 at 08:35:12 PM PDT

                      •  nope

                        that's just the way the game works with respect to all candidates with a reasonable chance of winning.   They are surrounded by people who know that they have a good chance of being in the running for high level cabinet appointments should the candidate emerge victorious.  

                        by gobacktotexas on Fri Jan 11, 2008 at 08:40:36 PM PDT

                        •  Fair enough...

                          so long as you're not claiming this is exclusive to Clinton-backers.

                          by Trix on Fri Jan 11, 2008 at 08:41:39 PM PDT

            •  Shake hands with Mr Metaphor

              I plead poetic license, please.

              If disallowed, I counter with the observation not every payment is made over the table.

              by Quicklund on Fri Jan 11, 2008 at 09:45:43 PM PDT

              •  Guilty! :p n/t

                by Trix on Fri Jan 11, 2008 at 09:54:33 PM PDT

                •  Thanks :)

                  by Quicklund on Sat Jan 12, 2008 at 07:13:59 AM PDT

    •  But why are so many right wingers endorsing her?

      Beyond Bob Kerrey, Ed Koch, a known Bush and Lieberman  supporter has also endorsed her big-time.

      by Blue Wind on Fri Jan 11, 2008 at 07:35:07 PM PDT

      •  Probably because she's a home-state Senator

        and there's no way in hell he's gonna support the other  NYer in the race... he can't stand Giuliani.

        by Trix on Fri Jan 11, 2008 at 07:44:37 PM PDT

      •  right-wing?

        Check out Obama's endorsers.  You think Tim Johnson is a progressive?  Ben Nelson may be next.  Obama is such a "uniter" he doesn't scare anyone.

        by jhannon on Fri Jan 11, 2008 at 08:08:38 PM PDT

        •  ummm...

          Obama is such a "uniter" he doesn't scare anyone.

          And this is a bad thing how?

          by gobacktotexas on Fri Jan 11, 2008 at 08:15:52 PM PDT

          •  How?

            Because he's running a pablum campaign that ignores the real divisions, e.g., class conflicts between Americans and world-wide and is so much of a make-nice with the dominant economic interests in this society that they are VERY comfortable with him--that's how.

            by jhannon on Sat Jan 12, 2008 at 12:00:06 AM PDT

    •  How convenient for her.

      Fortunately for her, she DOES have the ability to say, "no thanks" when someone offers her support that's THAT ugly. Of course, we all know she'd never do that.

      by Elise on Fri Jan 11, 2008 at 09:24:52 PM PDT

    •  where did Kerrey get the language?

      The 'ambulance chaser' language is new, but the "voting 'present'" language is from Hillary's campaign.  It's a vicious smear, a misrepresentation, and an insult.  It's a page from the Rove playbook: deliberately distorting a pro-choice strategy that was designed with Planned Parenthood to paint Obama as weak on choice.  It is fucking galling, but Kerrey didn't make those words up: he got them from the Clinton campaign.

      by fightcentristbias on Fri Jan 11, 2008 at 11:57:38 PM PDT

  •  why did you insist on playing the race card?

    the chasing ambulances thing was stupid and people may disagree with you on OHB's votes, but making it about race just blew any point you had right out the window.

    by tony the American Mutt on Fri Jan 11, 2008 at 07:28:01 PM PDT

    •  okay

      i guess when talking about why people are asses, we are no longer permitted to put their assworthy statements in the context of assworthy statements they have made in the past then.  

      by gobacktotexas on Fri Jan 11, 2008 at 07:30:16 PM PDT

  •  although I disagree vehmently

    with this comment, I do agree wholeheartedly with your diary. bob kerrey is indeed, an ass. I figured that out when he invited mccain to go to the new school and speak.

    Why Clinton would accept his endorsement, knowing as she must, that he'll run to bloomberg as soon as he announces, is beyond me.  kerrey is treacherous that way.

    by dougymi on Fri Jan 11, 2008 at 07:45:27 PM PDT

  •  Does any of it really surprise you...

    To the Clinton Camp that sort of smearing is the "fun" part.

    by Morgan Sandlin on Fri Jan 11, 2008 at 07:53:24 PM PDT

    •  fun?

      Oh, bullshit.  When has HRC slimed people?  She is trying to win an election, just like everyone else

      by jhannon on Fri Jan 11, 2008 at 08:10:04 PM PDT

  •  Oh that poor little lady

    can't control her politcal pals even after I am sure she told Kerrey what he said about Obama earlier was slime - oh wait, I guess she never did, or didn't care or told him to stay on the slime.

    by MadAsHellMaddie on Fri Jan 11, 2008 at 08:04:33 PM PDT

  •  Agreed

    I won't vote for her and will vote for the candidate most likely to defeat her...

    regardless of the election.

    - Albert Einstein

    by Walt starr on Fri Jan 11, 2008 at 08:54:05 PM PDT

    •  say walt,

      I looked at your diaries and I noticed back in November you actually said that you had decided to support Hillary.   What was it that changed your mind, if I may ask?

      by gobacktotexas on Fri Jan 11, 2008 at 09:36:04 PM PDT

      •  Shaheen's attack on Obama

        When the dogwhistling began, I jumped ship.

        It's an issue I am passionate about.

        Right now, McCain is more acceptable to me than Clinton.

        - Albert Einstein

        by Walt starr on Fri Jan 11, 2008 at 09:39:22 PM PDT

        •  Do you have any idea why

          so many Clinton supporters are dismissive or defensive  when we try to discuss this issue?  We are talking about several documented incidents, which put together, establish a clear pattern, and yet most clinton supporters dismiss it as a non-issue.  

          by gobacktotexas on Fri Jan 11, 2008 at 09:45:34 PM PDT

          •  Cult of personality

            The very essence of their being is wrapped up in their choice.

            I suspect that Obama will speak on these events, though I also suspect he's going to let a few more rack up. When he does finally say something, the Clintons will be shamed in a way they never dreamed was coming. At the same time, he will increase the perception that he transcends race.

            They have sowed the wind. I'm certain Obama will let them reap the whirlwind and make them look so small in the process the Clinton era will be destroyed for all time.

            It's pretty easy to see that either the Clintons never read The Audacity of Hope, or they never understood it.

            Obama is also astute poltiically and suckers the "pros" in. He did this in Chicago against the favorite son who now is in awe of Obama. People consider him inexperienced and he plays on that perception.

            The Clintons have walked into a mess of their own making and there is no going back now. Watch what happens between now and South Carolina. Politics is never going to be the same again and no paradigm that used to work in politics is eer going to work again. This is the end of race baiting dogwhistle politics. This is the 21st century and the tried and true from the last century simply will not fly any more.

            - Albert Einstein

            by Walt starr on Fri Jan 11, 2008 at 09:57:35 PM PDT

•  Bob Kerrey endorsed Hillary a while ago

  Did you forget the comments he made about Obama at the time?

  by Trix on Fri Jan 11, 2008 at 07:26:25 PM PDT

  •  the secular madrassah comment?(n/t)

    by gobacktotexas on Fri Jan 11, 2008 at 07:28:39 PM PDT

    •  Yeah... I think that was it (n/t)

      by Trix on Fri Jan 11, 2008 at 07:29:25 PM PDT

  •  I totally agree

    Bob Kerrey is an ass.

    by juca on Fri Jan 11, 2008 at 08:29:55 PM PDT

    •  Indeed he is :p n/t

      by Trix on Fri Jan 11, 2008 at 08:39:55 PM PDT

•  That's how TeamClinton views any Dem who gets in

  their way - as a back waiting to be stabbed.

  Gore and Kerry can attest to that.

  Others noticed how Clintons were operating in 2004:

  http://www.depauw.edu/...

  http://www.cnn.com/...

  http://www.tpmcafe.com/...

  and in 2006, Tonya Harding does it herself:
  http://www.youtube.com/...

  by Jail the BFEE on Fri Jan 11, 2008 at 07:28:24 PM PDT

  •  back stabbed?

    How did they backstab Gore or Kerry.  And how much do you want to hold HRC responsible for Bill'a actions?  Should all women be responsible for their husband's actions?

    Tonya Harding?  Please.

    by jhannon on Fri Jan 11, 2008 at 08:11:42 PM PDT

    •  name one issue on which

      Bill and Hillary hold a different position (aside from Bill's secretly being against the war from the beginning).  Either it's a two for one deal or it's not.  

      by gobacktotexas on Fri Jan 11, 2008 at 08:23:36 PM PDT

      •  2 for 1

        NAFTA.  But besides a particular issue, you just can't reasonably treat her as a clone.  It's kind of sexist.

        by jhannon on Fri Jan 11, 2008 at 10:25:05 PM PDT

    •  Hillary backstabbed John Kerry

      right before the 2006 election, over his gaffe about Bush getting us "stuck in Iraq". She forwarded the RW spin that he was "insulting the troops" (read it in context, it is clearly about Bush, plus Kerry has a great record on military and veterans issues that she could have pointed to); and she kept it in the news with her comments.

      by MH in PA on Fri Jan 11, 2008 at 08:42:53 PM PDT

      •  insulting troops?

        It was such a goof by a goofus caniddate that she practically had to distance herself from it.  I don't remember what other canididates did, but as Kerry misspoke it, it WAS insulting.  I did read it in context, and it's not crystal clear although I agree that he did mean Bush.

        by jhannon on Fri Jan 11, 2008 at 10:27:09 PM PDT

        •  Bullshit. Lots of candidates stuck up for him.

          Some in tight races. Casey and Sestak for example.

          I didn't know it at the time, but I read recently that even Howard Dean stuck up for him.

          Hillary was the ONLY big name dem, that I am aware of, who went with the right wing smear.  And she was not in a competitive race for Senate, not even remotely.

          She could have said "no comment." If her response was not meanness or cold political calculation, than it was extremely poor judgment. And I don't want that poor judgment in the White House.

          by MH in PA on Sat Jan 12, 2008 at 07:56:01 AM PDT

          •  what?

            Casey was not exactly in a tight race.

            Hillary wasn't worried about her senate race--she was getting ready to run for president and Dems are often viewed as weak on defense/military issues.  She also knew she might be running against Kerry for the Dem nomination.  She is in it to win, which I appreciate.  And she had watched Kerry stumble and bumble through the 2004 race which was probably more aggravating for her than for me and I found it unbearable.  I had run out of patience with him and I thought it was time to end any thoughts he might have about running (and screwing up) again.

            I live in Massachusetts.  I've watched him for years and believe me, his ability to screw up a perfect situation is amazing.

            by jhannon on Sat Jan 12, 2008 at 09:52:03 AM PDT

            •  "In it to win" at all costs.

              That speaks of complete lack of values and integrity. NOT what I want in a candidate.

              I am sorry to see you say that you agree with that approach.

              by MH in PA on Sat Jan 12, 2008 at 03:35:25 PM PDT

              •  Oh Please

                complete lack of values?  Oh, Please.  

                you may want to get ready for another Republican administration.

                by jhannon on Sat Jan 12, 2008 at 03:59:19 PM PDT

        •  We all supported Bill for dropping his pants in

          the oval office, and Hillary has the nerve to scold Kerry for dropping a PRONOUN?

          And found a camera to do it just as Bush and McCain did?

          by Jail the BFEE on Sat Jan 12, 2008 at 09:26:49 AM PDT

          •  dropping pants

            Ah, I didn't support Bill for dropping his pants.  I thought it was one of the most irresponsible acts imaginable and part of his squandering of his opportunity to hep redirect American politics.  And a LOT of people criticized him vehemently for it while defending him against impeachment charges.

            And if McCain found a camera then Hillary was smart to do so also--she knew she would be running for president, possibly against McCain who has military bona fides.  Remember, Hillary is in it TO WIN, which is what I want in a candidate.

            by jhannon on Sat Jan 12, 2008 at 09:45:56 AM PDT

            •  Not the point - Dems DEFENDED Bill for years

              and Hillary joined in a SMEAR CAMPAIGN against Kerry that she KNEW was false, as the reporters at the event HAD the prepared remarks which is STANDARD PROCEDURE. She KNEW but believes PEOPLE ARE STUPID just as Bush and Rove do.

              She has no respect for the intelligence and DECENCY of people.

              She has no respect for TRUTH if she thinks she can benefit from a lie.

              by Jail the BFEE on Sat Jan 12, 2008 at 09:49:40 AM PDT

    •  Read the links.

      .

      by Jail the BFEE on Sat Jan 12, 2008 at 09:24:09 AM PDT

•  For the record...

  Obama [himself] has recently made disparaging remarks about trial lawyers.

  by Trix on Fri Jan 11, 2008 at 07:29:00 PM PDT

  •  did he call John Edwards

    or anyone else, an ambulance chaser?   This is a low blow, you must admit it.  

    by gobacktotexas on Fri Jan 11, 2008 at 07:31:56 PM PDT

  •  No he did not

    He said he turned down a high paying trial lawyer job to be a community organizer.

    That is NOT a disparaging remark about trial lawyers.

    by bawbie on Fri Jan 11, 2008 at 07:37:04 PM PDT

    •  You're right... my apologies (n/t)

      by Trix on Fri Jan 11, 2008 at 07:41:46 PM PDT

      •  Classy comment, Trix. n/t

        by blueintheface on Fri Jan 11, 2008 at 07:52:08 PM PDT

        •  I have no problem admitting when I'm wrong

          Luckily for me, it doesn't happen too often.

          :-)

          by Trix on Fri Jan 11, 2008 at 07:53:03 PM PDT

  •  That is simply not true

    Obama did not say anything like that.

    by Blue Wind on Fri Jan 11, 2008 at 07:38:13 PM PDT

    •  You're right...

      I stand corrected.

      by Trix on Fri Jan 11, 2008 at 07:41:27 PM PDT

  •  no he did not Trix and you know this

    Obama is a lawyer and taught at a Law School. Obama pointed out however that he could have made a ton of cash as a trial lawyer because those folks tend to make big money.  Obama himself decided to serve the Community.  That is admirable but in no way did he make "disparaging remarks about trial lawyers".  

    So for the record, to use your words, what you wrote is a lie.

    Your spaghetti has rotted and will no longer adhere to the wall.

    by MadAsHellMaddie on Fri Jan 11, 2008 at 08:13:21 PM PDT

    •  get a grip

      he's already apologized twice

      by flagpole on Fri Jan 11, 2008 at 08:27:09 PM PDT

    •  i liked the spaghetti line

      but trix already conceded his/her error

      by gobacktotexas on Fri Jan 11, 2008 at 08:35:14 PM PDT

•  Bob Kerrey is Lieberman #2

  Pathetic.

  by Blue Wind on Fri Jan 11, 2008 at 07:32:23 PM PDT

•  Bob Kerrey is a world class schmuck

  Legendary.

  by bumblebums on Fri Jan 11, 2008 at 07:32:31 PM PDT

•  Put's a different spin on his "compliments" of

  Obama a few weeks back doesn't it.

  by lordcopper on Fri Jan 11, 2008 at 07:38:44 PM PDT

•  Wow, HRC was endorsed by a war criminal.

  Like we should care what he has to say.

  by corvo on Fri Jan 11, 2008 at 07:42:50 PM PDT

•  c'mon... Bob Kerrey was on the 9/11 Commission

  You can't criticize anything related to that or Bill O'Reily will call us all names!

  by Afraid of Looking Nutty on Fri Jan 11, 2008 at 07:57:08 PM PDT

  •  all in defense of the constitution,

    of course

    by gobacktotexas on Fri Jan 11, 2008 at 08:00:01 PM PDT

•  And he always has been

  hmmm, "Bob Kerrey".... "has been"... they go together

  by Feanor on Fri Jan 11, 2008 at 08:00:44 PM PDT

•  re

  "Even before John Edwards was chasing ambulances in North

  Total asshole.

  He's in good company over there.

  by cookiesandmilk on Fri Jan 11, 2008 at 08:03:22 PM PDT

•  the entire campaign is a coordinated smear

  all of them--shaheen, kerrey, slick willy, mcauliffe--its coordinated!

  if bloomberg runs and its hillary or a rethug.....

  i will go with the billionaire.....if he has an out of iraq policy--because on social/fiscal issues he will be to the LEFT of clinton--pro-gay marriage, anti-gun etc...

  i loathe the clintons especially bill clinton...

  by maxnyc on Fri Jan 11, 2008 at 08:05:07 PM PDT

  •  I used to love the Clintons

    even a year ago I was somewhat open to the possibility of supporting hillary in some way.    But these past couple of weeks, I have truly lost all my respect for these people.  If she's the nominee, it's going to be very hard for me to vote for her.    

    by gobacktotexas on Fri Jan 11, 2008 at 08:12:15 PM PDT

  •  Bloomberg

    If you think Bloomberg will be "to the left" of HRC you have NO idea of her voting record and positions on the issues.  Or of her record out of office.  

    Look at Bloomberg's consultants.  You think David Boren and company are progressives?  

    Jeebus, the shit she catches DESPITE a clear record.

    by jhannon on Fri Jan 11, 2008 at 08:14:40 PM PDT

    •  i have lived in manhattan for 17 years

      the thought of a billionaire president would be disappointing
      BUT this is essentially a decent man who cleaned up the shit
      left over from  ghouliani and he'd do the same cleaning up bushco's  too...

      he's not afraid to raise taxes on the rich (he's done it); pro-gay marriage,
      pro gun control,  pro-choice; will spend MORE money than anyone else
      on education and other social programs...

      the only IF is foreign policy...anything less than a repudiation of the bush doctrine is a no-go....

      if the clinton's seriously fuck with obama and they win by destroying him--
      than it'll be bloomberg-obama.

      as far as his has-been committee--i agree except that gary hart endorsed obama today

      by maxnyc on Fri Jan 11, 2008 at 08:23:20 PM PDT

      •  fuck with Obama?

        Gosh, is it OK if she runs against him and tries to beat him--or is that also unacceptable?

        And do you REALLY think Obama would accept a position on an independent ticket after running as a Democrat?  Well, I think that's crazy.

        by jhannon on Fri Jan 11, 2008 at 10:23:33 PM PDT

    •  i'm pretty sure

      bloomberg is a liberal who registered R to get rudy's endorsement.

      by condorcet on Sat Jan 12, 2008 at 12:35:26 AM PDT

•  asdf

  I can't say if the Clinton machine is responsible for Kerry's remarks but HE is and I think his remarks label him a major league asshole. Christ I hate hacks like him. Public dialogue would be so much better without the likes of him and those like him.

  by blueman1 on Fri Jan 11, 2008 at 08:10:38 PM PDT

  •  look at the pattern Blue

    Nobody, including the Republicans running have stooped to this kind of slime, asshatery and race-baiting except for one candidate's staffers, former staffers and political friends.

    It's all coming from Clintonland.  The Clintons are not some babes in the woods without any clout.  If they wanted this stuff to stop, it would have.

    Here is the pattern again:
    Obama is gasp - a secret Muslim - email sent out by a certain Candidate's staff - twice.

    Republicans may say that Obama sold drugs - Shaheen - a certain candidate’s former NH Co-Chair

    Mark Penn, a certain candidate's head political advisor brings up "Cocaine" several times during an interview regarding the Shaheen scandal.

    Obama went to school in a Madrasa - ohhh and his middle name is HUSSEIN in case you all forgot- Kerrey - a certain Candidate's supporter and Former US Senator.

    "You can't shuck and jive at a news conference" - Cuomo - a certain Candidate's supporter and NY State Atty General.

    If a HDRC can't control her own staff or high level political supporters, then you can only come to two conclusions:  1.  She can't run the country if she can't control her campaign or run it with dignity and intregity or 2.  She is fine with the bullshit it and hopes it continues.

    And a note to those that keep screaming "She never said it herself so it's not her fault", wise up.  Hillary Clinton is not stupid.  

    All this slime and blind support reminds me of BushCo and their supporters.

    by MadAsHellMaddie on Fri Jan 11, 2008 at 08:22:50 PM PDT

    •  don't forget about paul begala

      Paul Begala, a Clinton supporter who advised her husband's campaigns in the 1990s, said elections come down to pivotal moments, and the two that will be remembered out of New Hampshire showed voters a more human side of Clinton -- and a less graceful side of Obama.

      The first came in Saturday night's debate, when a moderator told the former first lady that, according to polls, New Hampshire residents just don't like her. She responded with a dimpled smile, coupled with, "That hurts my feelings." The camera then shifted to Obama, who offered that Clinton was "likable enough."

      "He looked like an ex-husband that was turning over the alimony check," Begala said.

      by gobacktotexas on Fri Jan 11, 2008 at 08:30:30 PM PDT

      •  Whaaat? I missed that one. figures. n/t

        by MadAsHellMaddie on Fri Jan 11, 2008 at 08:45:51 PM PDT

    •  good points

      it appears that there has been a systematic effort from the Clinton camp to smear and destroy Obama.

      by Blue Wind on Fri Jan 11, 2008 at 08:33:18 PM PDT

•  He's always been an ass. nt

  by Joelarama on Fri Jan 11, 2008 at 08:13:44 PM PDT

•  Kerrey is a gigantic asshole

  and a paradox of a human being.

  My two major conflicting memories of him are that he was a major dick in Clinton's major budget battle, and that he co-taught the most popular class in the UC system on reconciliation following Vietnam.

  by Pacific John on Fri Jan 11, 2008 at 08:16:00 PM PDT

•  God, I despise these people.

  by General Sherman on Fri Jan 11, 2008 at 08:27:21 PM PDT

•  the guy is a documented child killer

  but that was war, right?

  by kuvasz on Fri Jan 11, 2008 at 08:38:00 PM PDT

•  Obama's first "secret rendition" should be...

  ...taking Bob Kerrey to The Hague.

  http://en.wikipedia.org/...

  by stevedubya on Fri Jan 11, 2008 at 08:40:58 PM PDT

  •  jesus

    n 2001, the New York Times Magazine and 60 Minutes II carried reports on an incident that occurred during Kerrey's Vietnam War service. On February 25, 1969, he led a Swift Boat raid on the isolated peasant village of Thanh Phong, Vietnam, targeting a Viet Cong leader that intelligence suggested would be present. The village was considered part of a free fire zone by the U.S. military.

    Kerrey's SEAL team first encountered a peasant house, or hooch, and killed the people inside with knives. While Kerrey says he did not go inside the hooch and did not participate in the killings, another member of the team, Gerhard Klann, said that the people killed there were an elderly man and woman and three children under 12, and that Kerrey helped kill the man. Despite the differing recollections about who actually stabbed these people, Kerrey accepts responsibility as the team leader for their deaths: "Standard operating procedure was to dispose of the people we made contact with," he told the New York Times Magazine.[1] Later, according to Kerrey, the team was shot at from the village and returned fire, only to find after the battle that all the dead were women and children, clustered together in the center of the village. "The thing that I will remember until the day I die is walking in and finding, I don't know, 14 or so, I don't even know what the number was, women and children who were dead," Kerrey said in 1998. "I was expecting to find Vietcong soldiers with weapons, dead. Instead I found women and children."[1] Klann, and a Vietnamese woman, Pham Tri Lanh, who says she witnessed the assault, gave a different account, saying that the SEALs rounded up the inhabitants of the village and shot them.

    by gobacktotexas on Fri Jan 11, 2008 at 08:48:01 PM PDT

•  No class whatsoever (n/t)

  by ortcutt on Fri Jan 11, 2008 at 08:42:42 PM PDT

•  Mental Rolodex

  This was also cringeworthy:

  He also contended that she possessed a superior mental Rolodex to Senator Obama’s should the time come to make hundreds of national-security political appointments.

  I'm glad that the Presidency has come down to the equivalent of who's got the better Facebook friends list.  Plus, I doubt I'd want anyone Kerrey thinks is good national-security political appointment being appointed to anything anyway.

  On September 13, 2002, just as Congress was debating whether to approve a resolution providing President Bush the authority to use force against Iraq, former Sen. Bob Kerrey (D-NE) wrote in the Wall Street Journal:

     "The real choice is between sustaining a military effort designed to contain Saddam Hussein and a military effort designed to replace him. In my mind the case for the second choice is overwhelming. ... Regime change is the only way we can safely reduce our military commitment to the region."

  http://thinkprogress.org/...

  How's that working out?  We've gone from having some air bases in Saudi Arabia to having 150,000 troops in Iraq.

  by ortcutt on Fri Jan 11, 2008 at 08:53:31 PM PDT

  •  so he has brought the same excellent judgment

    he had about the war on Iraq to bear on his selection of democratic primary candidate.  

    by gobacktotexas on Fri Jan 11, 2008 at 08:58:18 PM PDT

•  Wow.

     I'm so glad Bob Kerrey decided not to run for senate.  He's a complete asshole.  Asshole.

  by redrelic17 on Fri Jan 11, 2008 at 08:56:49 PM PDT

  •  we'd be better off having a republican in that

    seat than someone actively working to undermine the party from within.  

    by gobacktotexas on Fri Jan 11, 2008 at 08:59:31 PM PDT

•  Kerry has always been a nasty SOB

  this is in character. Yuck.

  by betson08 on Fri Jan 11, 2008 at 09:21:47 PM PDT

•  Upside: Nobody cares what he thinks n/t

  by chicago minx on Fri Jan 11, 2008 at 09:35:29 PM PDT

•  Did Kerrey ever have anything going for him

  other than being a gossip column item with Debra Winger a long, long time ago? He's been a has been so long it seems like the time when he was anybody went by in the blink of an eye.

  by glaser on Fri Jan 11, 2008 at 10:27:54 PM PDT

•  Nail. Head.

  The only thing I would add is that he's a war criminal, privatizing ass.

  by Paleo on Sat Jan 12, 2008 at 04:53:10 AM PDT