"Kerry precedent."

[wisteria]

Group seeks details on lobbyist meetings



A watchdog group is trying to get the remaining presidential contenders to live up to what it is billing as the "Kerry precedent."

The Center for Public Integrity this week noted that in April 2004, shortly after he locked up the Democratic nomination for president, Sen. John F. Kerry, D-Mass., took the unprecedented step of releasing details of every meeting he had held with a lobbyist dating to 1989.

Kerry revealed nearly 200 meetings with lobbyists in an attempt to say he could defend every one. The group is asking this year's candidates to take the same pledge. But according to a statement it issued this week, none has taken the time to respond to the Center's inquiries.

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/politics/5583891.html">link

[MBS]

1. terrific (Kerry) ! but discouraging (2008. . )

Kerry himself is his own Center for Public Integrity.
Once again, he did the right thing, and he did it first.
Thanks for posting this.

[karynnj]

2. The 2008 candidates should follow Kerry's example

It is amazing that Kerry identified them going back, what was then about 15 years! Kerry himself should push Obama and HRC to do so - because this would give them enormous ability to go at McCain on this. In McCain's case I think that is back as far as Keating 5! (This is likely more easily done by Obama.)

Kerry's action was impressive - just another way showing how clean he really is.

[beachmom]

3. John Kerry is a Boy Scout which is why DC has always been uneasy about him

As much as I like Obama's message and emphasis on open government and ethics, nobody beats John Kerry on these issues. After all, he actually has been serving in DC for 22 years, and STILL is not corrupted or tainted by "the ways of Washington". It's too bad nobody mentioned this in 2004.

[MBS]

4. Yes, I agree that the fact that Kerry is not "one of the boys" ,both by

measure of his integrity and seriousness of purpose, is a key reason why he's not more "popular" among the political establishment. .
And, yes, why WASN'T this big news (or even news at all) in 2004? I was following the campaign pretty obsessively by that time, and this is the first I'd heardof it. .

[karynnj]

7. True - the word "maverick" has always been a better definition of him than McCain

There is nothing like BCCI in McCain's past. I was following it pretty obsessively from January 2004 on - and intently before that - and I never heard of this. But, I had forgotten Dean attacking Kerry as in the pocket of lobbyists and corporations (now easily seen as Trippi language) and "just like Bush" on Iraq in February when he was already imploded, but hoping for something to happen. I do remember at least one article where they questioned and accepted Kerry's explanation on some meetings with telco lobbyists. (Listening to lobbyists is not bad - letting them influence your vote, except when they make their case by explaining the industry needs, that can then be independently verified.)

If Obama has been as clean as Kerry on this, he needs to follow suit and make it an issue that McCain do so. McCain does NOT deserve his reputation on cleanness or honesty - and refusing to do this in conjunction with the NYT story.

[blm]

6. It's always been like this - and DC powerstructure doesn't WANT anyone THAT honest

in the oval office. GOPs and Dem powerstructure have sought to keep Kerry's voice and influence muted.

I hope this story gets put up in GD-P. And I hope it makes Hillary fans VERY UNCOMFORTABLE.

[wisteria]

8. Thanks for the suggestion. n/t

[ladym55]

5. That's why Kerry will always be No. 1

as far as I'm concerned. He is 100% class all the way!!! :applause: