*** *** Thank You Senator Kerry *** ***

[Still a Democrat]

Marvelous work on START!

[AtomicKitten]

1. Indeed. K&R

[patrice]

2. K & R! Thank You, Senator Kerry!!

[karynnj]

3. He was completely amazing, never losing his temper and refuting

every Republican argument - his staff was quoted as saying that he has been on the Senate for for about 70 hours since last Wednesday when this started. (If anyone in the Senate deserves a vacation at this point - it is likely Kerry.)

[politicasista]

4. Kick!

A lot of people will always hate on him for Ohio, "rambling" and being bought off, but he keeps working for progress. :kick: :patriot:

[blm]

9. never miss an opportunity to emphasize complete bullshit, eh?

as usual

[wisteria]

14. Perhaps she was only referring to the fact that he works hard despite those who still resent him.

And, there are those who believe that he did not fight for the votes in Ohio. I don't and you don't and politisista don't but ...

[karynnj]

10. The praise for Kerry today has been from his peers, including many Republicans,

and from many serious pundits. The praise was well earned from serious, diligent hard work. This has nothing to do with misguided hatred from people on the board, who by and large were never for him. It does have a lot to do with how he is seen by his peers. Did you hear the praise from your Senator Corker, who among other things said Kerry had the patience of Job. Both of your Senators broke with the Republicans. This is important, because that is the environment where he works.

This is a thread for thinking him. Look at the photos of Kerry today. He looks incredibly happy and relaxed. This is a big deal for him - and the biggest gain is that he is being credited with being an usually skilled legislator and diplomat. Why bring up negativity?

[politicasista]

11. I was positive

I said he keeps working for progress despite the dysfunctional atmosphere of the Senate.

He did a great job on this. Not being negative, just see that a lot people hate on him from time to time. Wasn't downplaying anything he did. Again, he did excellent on this deal.

Glad Alexander and Corker broke with the rest of their party. That doesn't happen very often. Said something positive, but that's not good enough me guesses. :shrug:

[wisteria]

16. I understand where you were coming from. Your comments weren't meant to be negative

just that he fights hard for what is right regardless of the haters and the distractors.
And, I would say some of his peers do not like him-take DeMint and the new Senator Kirt for instance. Watching both of these guys, you can see the dislike in their body language.

[karynnj]

5. A Christian Science Monitor article on the role Kerry played here

In 2004, what Sen. John Kerry wanted most was to become president of the United States. In 2008, after the election of Barack Obama, he wanted to become secretary of state. In this December week of 2010, the senator from Massachusetts has proven his statesmanship and value to the country without ever having had a crack at those two other jobs.

It took a full-court press from the White House to get the Senate to ratify the "new START" nuclear arms reduction treaty with Russia today. But it also took much behind-the-scenes work from Democrat Kerry, who has exhibited the diplomacy, patience, and attention to detail of a skilled statesman.
<snip>
Those were substantive complaints that Kerry strove to address, but he also skillfully deflected political incoming missiles. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, for instance, complained that debate was being rushed. Kerry pointed out that the treaty had been delayed at the request of Republicans and that more time was being devoted to this debate than earlier, more complicated treaties. His finger-tip knowledge of the details and history of arms control helped him push back Republican attempts to delay ratification and renegotiate with Russia.
<snip>
What seemed like an uncertain outcome just a week or so ago, has ended with a 71-26 ratification in which 13 Republicans broke from their leadership and backed the treaty. National interest won out over politics. That is indeed a contribution, especially in this political climate.

http://www.csmonitor.com/Commentary/Editorial-Board-Blog/2010/1222/New-START-treaty-Sen.-Kerry-as-statesman

Having watched the Senate floor, I am unconvinced that any other Democrat would have been able to pull this out - even though it was clear it should have been passed.

[bigwillq]

6. K and R (nt)

[flpoljunkie]

7. Job well done, Senator Kerry!

[karynnj]

8. The Hill often has leaned right, but at least one writer there is completely impressed by Kerry

I have seen many senators come and go, and John Kerry is one of the finest I have ever known. His prodigious work on the START Treaty was a textbook case of what a senator and committee chairman can do, in the best tradition of the Senate.

Kerry's knowledge of nuclear weaponry is comprehensive and deep. His ability to work with Republicans in good faith is profound. His relationships with military leaders, his heroism during the Vietnam War when the served with the United States Navy and his legislative skill as a senator and chairman led to the great triumph for Kerry, the Senate, and American diplomacy today.
<snip>
Today was John Kerry's finest hour, of many fine hours, and many more to come from one of the great chairmen in the tradition of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

http://thehill.com/blogs/pundits-blog/foreign-policy/134893-john-kerrys-finest-hour

[politicasista]

12. Sorry for ruining the thread.

Peace.

[wisteria]

17. You didn't ruin the thread. You were just pointing out one of his wonderful traits.

Some people just did not understand that.

[lillypaddle]

19. No, you didn't

I knew what you meant. :hi:

[YvonneCa]

13. What a great Christmas present from Kerry and the...

...Obama Administration. Well done, Senator Kerry! And thank you for fighting for what is right for our country. :patriot:

[FrenchieCat]

15. I watched him on the floor of the Senate!

He was marvelous! Simply brilliant! :patriot:

[ProSense]

18. Senator Kerry

was superb. Masterful.

[eleny]

20. Good work for many years