Kerry unloads on NBC after report he was overheard talking about 2020 bid

[brooklynite]

Politico

DES MOINES, Iowa — John Kerry is supposed to be stumping for Joe Biden.

But the former Secretary of State caused a kerfuffle Sunday after NBC News published a story detailing a phone call Kerry had in a hotel lobby here. Kerry was overheard by an NBC analyst apparently strategizing how he could enter the presidential race now that there was “the possibility of Bernie Sanders taking down the Democratic Party — down whole.”

In the conversation, which took place in the Renaissance Savery hotel downtown, Kerry reportedly said, “maybe I'm f---ing deluding myself here,” then went on to explain the steps he would have to take if he jumped into the fray, including hitting up wealthy donors who might be frightened by Sanders’ rise.

Kerry, the 2004 Democratic nominee for president and former secretary of State, emphatically denied he had renewed White House aspirations, tweeting "any report otherwise is f---ing (or categorically) false.”

He later deleted the tweet with the expletive and re-posted a full statement adamantly denying he had any interest in running and that he was fully behind Biden’s candidacy.

[2naSalit]

1. Sounds like someone was eavesdropping...

It's none of their business what his phone conversation was or what it was about. They should have interviewed him rather than just broadcasting what they surmised one half of a conversation was about. That's just sloppy reporting.

[brooklynite]

2. Disagree...

How many Trump stories have you discounted because someone reported what they saw or heard him do, rather than just interview him? If Kerry WAS talking about the possibility of running, and was doing in a place where he could be overheard, that’s fair game.

[2naSalit]

3. He's a private citizen not a part of the government

that's where I draw the line.

[Autumn]

4. There sure is a lot of angst over Bernie.

[brooklynite]

5. The risk of losing the election tends to do that...

[Autumn]

6. I think Bernie stands a good chance so that's where the nervousness comes in,

and the realization that he can beat Trump easily. People just don't like fundamental changes those changes are long overdue.

[PatSeg]

8. No, I disagree

People are concerned about Bernie losing to Trump and the prospect of four more years of Trump. I don't think Bernie would be a strong GE candidate. We would lose too many Independent voters and moderates.

[Autumn]

9. I disagree. nt

[JudyM]

10. "Concern" not based on data, just fear.

He’s statistically tied with Biden in recent matchups against trump...

[PatSeg]

11. I don't see that happening in the GE

Sanders is a more divisive candidate than Biden. That is about a lot more than "concern", a large chunk of Democrats, as well as Independents really don't like Sanders.

[JudyM]

12. Plenty of evidence that he inspires folks who might not otherwise vote. But ok, if you say so.

[PatSeg]

13. That's rather funny actually

because there was a time when Bernie did inspire me, but the more I see and hear, the less impressed I am. He is not the person I thought he was. I don't know if that was always the case or if running for president changed him, but he consistently disappoints me.

[LeftTurn3623]

7. I wish he would of ran or would run

He is a way more stronger candidate than Biden