What the hell is wrong with John Kerry?

[karynnj]

26. Did you read the TPM article that this is based on?

The only Kerry quote out there, to my knowledge, is his one:

""In a statement, Kerry said, "I think the Administration is working towards a final rule that reflects a reasonable compromise. I think there's a way to protect everybody's interest here. I think you can implement it effectively in a way that protects women's access, but at the same time protects people's religious beliefs, and that should be everyone’s goal.""


http://livewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/entries/kerry-becomes-latest-dem-to-oppose-obama-on

This does not sound like he knows what the compromise will be and does not even imply that he has spoken to anyone on it. To me, the problem is that TPM wrote a title not really justified by what Kerry actually said.

I suspect that, at a time where there were about 7 Democrats actually opposing the original plan, the author overreacted to Kerry, who has a 100% pro-choice record, which is remarkable because he is a religious Catholic, who refused to backtrack on allowing young pregnant girls to appeal to get abortions without parental approval (pointing out that there a cases where that is essential) and on "partial birth abortion (again explaining that happens when there is an overwhelming need) when he was asked in the debates to be President. His answer was very well crafted and explained why those things were needed. He voted against PPA because there was no exemption for the mother's health being in jeopardy. That was a vote MANY Democrats did not make - and he did not have to make - and he knew it would hurt in a Presidential run - and was one reason that he faced some bishops calling for denying him communion.

Only when the WH compromise is known, will it make sense for Kerry to agree or disagree - and Kerry understands more than anyone the minefield that Obama faces.