Kerry on Pentagon paying Iraqi newspapers

[Mass]

http://www.freenewmexican.com/news/35748.html

Sen. John Kerry, whom President George W. Bush defeated in the last presidential election, said the reports were troubling.

"I think that the United States of America paying for stories in Iraqi papers undermines America's credibility," Kerry said in the White House driveway after attending a bill-signing ceremony. "What we need are Iraqis who really believe what they're saying and say it for themselves. ... You need to deal with the truth, not with things that you make up or put out there as propaganda."

[jillan]

1. This is an unbelievable story.

I almost fell over when I heard about this on KO.

Thanks again to Kerry for speaking for me.

[whometense]

2. I know what you mean.

The really weird thing, though, is how it didn't even surprise me. How sad is that?? It's just more of the same from this pack of miscreants.

[jillan]

3. How could they do this ???

I wouldn't put anything past this administration,
BUT how is anyone going to ever believe us again?

[whometense]

4. I honestly think it depends

on who our next leader is. If, say, there was a President Kerry, I don't think it will be any problem.

If the next election should produce, god forbid, a Romney or (shudder) Allen presidency, then I think the long slide down continues unchecked.

We'd better get to work on those Diebold issues!!!!!

[ProSense]

5. Yeah!

I'm not surprised. But it is truly sad.

[ginnyinWI]

6. yeah

Isn't there anyone in the administration with two brain cells to rub together, who can tell them that this would be found out and that our credibility, what's left of it, would be trashed? Isn't there anyone who can take the long view and actually do what's good for America, rather than their own politics? Traitors.

[jillan]

7. Kerry was on Big eddie just now talking about this!

Yeah!!!!

[jenndar]

8. He was???

I hope somebody posts audio...

[fedupinBushcountry]

9. He was

Need play by play, hope someone got the audio.

[whometense]

12. Audio on Ed's website:

http://audio.wegoted.com/podcasting/120105SenatorKerry.mp3

[_dynamicdems]

10. JK was awesome, once again! I'll say this again: he should keep on

doing radio. You get a whole different perspective of him when you hear John Kerry on the radio. I absolutely love his voice. He sounds so down-to-earth, a bit crusty and oh so appealing. It is almost like a completely different side of him presents itself. And his laugh. I don't think I've ever heard him laugh so loud or so clearly before. It's magical. People are going to like him a lot more if they just keep on listening.

[ProSense]

11. Kerry is great on radio and

he is (looks) great on TV too.

[TayTay]

13. That really is too bad.

One of the saddest things about the whole media depiction of Sen. Kerry (And his family) last year was how much the media wanted to put him in the 'he's boring' box. It's not true. I have never preceived him that way. That's the media for ya: portraying intelligence and concern as dullness. Sigh!

I don't know about the other Mass folks here, who have their own entirely legitimate takes on past history, but I have always liked Kerry's sense of humor. It's a little bit dry and can be a bit 'in-your-face' but's it's very there. He has a great smile that lights up his face and when combined with that great laugh, well, no wonder he has always easily won the women's vote in MA. (And, damn it, I loved it when he sang or did the poetry lines at social events. The Mass political roasts are superb events that I dearly love because they force people to come out and have some fun, take some good-natured hits and give some back. The oddest thing about these is that Kerry has always come off very well at them. He gives as good as he gets.)

[ProSense]

14. He really did this?

"...sang or did the poetry lines at social events."



Now, I'm in complete envy of you for this experience.

[TayTay]

21. Yeah. It goes to how Mass 'does' politics

and to the Irish tradition of showing that you can laugh at yourself. Odd as this may sound, it is a vital part of running for office around here. It's part of 'the test' to see if someone can really relate to people and not be 'full of yourself,' which is akin to a mortal sin. If you can take the barbs that come your way in good humor and then turn around and sling some good ones back at others, well then, you pass 'the test.' Odd, I know, but every place has variations of 'the test.'

We have a tradition, that I have written about here ad nauseum, in late winter that celebrates the city and state's Irish heritage. (Some ridiculously high number of Mass residents can claim an Irish background, like 40% or something.) It is a morning breakfast in which all politicians in the Commonwealth (or most of them in eastern MA anyway) get to show up, tell some jokes about fellow pols and current events in MA and nationally, and sing and such. (This is the St. Pat's Day Breakfast, which precedes the Parade through South Boston.) Mr. Kerry has attended at least half of these (maybe more) ever since he started running for statewide elected office in 1982. So, I have seen him lots of times at these events and some were better appearances than others.

(BTW, this event does have a national footprint. It is common to have national pols from outside of the State stop by or phone in and speak and tell jokes and tease people. It's usually a fun event, though last years was kind of dull cuz it was an off year and nobody 'big' showed.)

The St. Pat's event in 1996 was really Teresa's introduction to the voters of Massachusetts. (Poor thing.) She had to appear at the breakfast and tell self-deprecating jokes about herself and her new hubby. She did great. The next year, the newly re-elected Sen. Kerry and his vanquished senatorial opponent, Bill Weld, appeared at the breakfast together and sang a duet. ('Side by Side,' with the words changed to suit the occasion. I loved that one as well.) Depending on the year, JK has sang, recited long and funny poems that he wrote about people here and current events and such.

Boston is changing. The tight ethnic groups of the past are not the majority anymore, the city is now 52% people of color. It is dearly hoped that as the city changes this event will change to reflect the new residents of the area. This event will stay (for goodness sakes' it's televised locally complete with a one-hour 'Live from the Green Carpet' pre-show, ala Joan Rivers. We love politics in MA.) I hope it expands and that people keep finding ways to laugh at themselves long into the future. We need more laughter.

[whometense]

22. Just found this

ghost-of-St. Patrick's Day-past pic:



Gallery: Boston Political History
Title: Senate President John E. Powers at Annual St. Patrick's Day Breakfast
Image Date: March 1960
Description: "St. Patrick's Day festivities at Dorgan's in South Boston, with Governor's Councilman Patrick J. (Sonny) McDonough placing symbolic Irish hat on Senate President John E. Powers. Seated, left to right: Msgr John T. Powers, Sen. Powers, McDonough. Standing are Reps. James Condon, Joseph Moakley, John T. Tynan, and Msgr. Christopher Griffin, chaplain of the state Senate." -from newspaper caption on back of photo. Caption is incorrect: Senator Powers is standing.
Creator not identified

[whometense]

23. And this:

the first JFK's ancestry:



Gallery: Boston Political History
Title: Fitzgerald Denies he ever kissed Toodles headline
Image Date: 1/20/1915

[TayTay]

24. Yeah, I'll bet he didn't kiss her. Liar.

Love the name, btw, "Toodles" Ryan. (And that's the girl. They don't give nicknames like they used to, sigh!)

[ProSense]

36. Wonderful insights. Thanks!

I really want to take the time and read through all the items posted here (looks like juicy stuff). I'll share my thoughts after I do.

You guys are great.

[Mass]

15. Kerry is one of the best pol I know for non-rehearsed adlibems.

He can speak spontaneously on most subject and it is amazing how, during the campaign, he was able to go to an event and really improvise something relative to the event before he started his stump speech.

I guess this is why he connected so well with people in these events. He was showing he really cared about them, and not just there to deliver his speech and leave.

[karynnj]

26. That was why it was so cool watching CSPAN or

any other channel or media (that the Kerry blog mentioned) that he was on. There were some core points he made - except when he was making one issue major policy speeches - that were repeated but there was so much new each time.

I really hate how some have even used this to bash him - saying he never developed a good stump speech (like Edwards). The danger in letting someone just repeat a canned speech - is that a good actor or public speaker can disguise the lack of real knowledge. (Think Reagan, not Edwards)

[_dynamicdems]

16. The political roasts sound like a blast. I'd still like to hear JK

sing. And poetry...does he do any.....





haiku?

:rofl:

[whometense]

18. I'm taking a day off today

:party: to use up some vacation time. In honor of my day off (:party:), I've done a little googling for you guys (note the date, 3-23-2000:

http://www.bostonphoenix.com/archive/features/00/03/23/TALKING_POLITICS.html

This past weekend was a good time to observe the political machinations of a more established American ethnic group -- Irish-Americans.

The St. Patrick's Day festivities began March 17 with WTKK 96.9's "Kiss Me I'm Imus" breakfast. Radio talk-show host Don Imus and his crew broadcast live from the Four Seasons Hotel. After being greeted by Eddy the Doorman, visitors were treated to a full Irish breakfast of poached eggs and Irish sausages of every variety while the cantankerous Imus whipped local pols into a frenzy with his baiting.

First up was a call-in from Mayor Thomas Menino. Menino's best line came in response to Imus's asking whether he'd run for mayor again: "I promised I'd serve two terms -- in every century." Menino also flacked former Maine senator George Mitchell as a possible vice-presidential pick for Al Gore.

Senator John Kerry, who was there in person, followed. Kerry's finest moment came at the expense of Texas governor George W. Bush. "A lot of people are asking whether Governor Bush is smart enough to be president, and one of the most hurtful things is that Dan Quayle is one of those people," Kerry cracked.

It wasn't until the final hour of the event -- after prime drive time -- that Governor Cellucci arrived with his entourage. Cellucci gave Kerry a backhanded plug for the vice-president job. "If it's Gore and Kerry, then at least I get to appoint a Republican as senator from Massachusetts," he quipped.

[whometense]

19. Next, 3-17-2003

http://www.dotnews.com/stpats03.html

By Jim O'Sullivan

Newspapers and airwaves choked with the final drumbeats before war and the echoes were audible in Edward Ryan Hall at the Iron Workers Local 7 building on Old Colony Ave. Each speaker dropped the blarney and the jibes for a few seconds of tribute to the troops.

But that was about the only thing checking the merriment on Sunday, when elected officials once again convened for the annual St. Patrick's Day Breakfast in Southie, skewering each other and even themselves in one of the city's grand political traditions. From the world-famous to those known only locally, the professional flesh-pressers took to the dais and tried to score points through a mix of comedic timing and insider humor that left the 600-strong, packed-house crowd either choking on the corned beef or waiting for a better punch line.

The morning's grandest performance was John Kerry's. The junior senator entered to rousing applause and a fawning introduction from Congressman Steve Lynch, then delivered the day's best line with, "Who said I didn't have the matzo balls to be here?" - a jab at the recent controversy about the presidential candidate's ethnic heritage. He sparred a bit with the state's chief executive, commiserating over their shared attention to all things follicular, then added, "It's great being here with the Governor - my money's on Bulger," to hoots and cheers from a crowd partisan to the event's longtime and erstwhile host.

The new host, in his second year, was gracious and reserved, gently targeting Kerry and Romney, but doing most of his microphone work with a solid series of Irish songs. In fine voice that day, Hart led renditions of "Wild Colonial Boy" (which had Mitt the Decidedly Non-Irish reading from the program's printed lyrics), "Irish Rover," "Hello, Patsy Fagan," and, of course, "Southie Is My Hometown." Hart, who fell under criticism last year for the breakfast's alleged lack of diversity, hustled the event along as best as possible, not an easy task when the podium is shared by a dozen or so folks in love with the sound of their own voices.

Enter Jimmy Kelly, the South Boston city councillor who missed the breakfast while recovering from surgery. Kelly dialed in (filling the role often occupied by the president of the United States) and cracked up the crowd and the pols - not with biting wit, but by the length of his meandering monologue which ranged from extended thank-yous for well-wishers to a long, involved, and not particularly funny joke loosely involving Marty Walsh's uncle.

Representative Walsh, along with Maura Doyle and Maureen Feeney one of several Dorchester politicians on the dais, complained that much of his material was lost once Kerry strutted in, but earned laughs with his prop: a roll of duct tape for Worcester State Senator Guy Glodis, a Republican whose performance last years was judged widely as a bit over-the-top.

This year's humor seemed less acerbic, many observers said. Michael Callahan, the burly and affable governor's councilor who said he's performed at the breakfast for a decade or so, attributed this year's muted humor to a national mood darkened by a flagging economy and the notion of war. "Life in general is tamer," Callahan told the Reporter after breakfast had given way to the parade. "Life seems to be slowing down everywhere."

Speaker of the House Tom Finneran, whose quick tongue suit well events of this ilk, agreed that this year's breakfast "I think it went terrifically," Finneran said. "Nobody got out of control, as sometimes happens at these things."

Finneran, too, felt that Kerry's showing was a good one, saying the surprise guest "hit the ball very, very solid." But it was Finneran's foe in budget battles, Romney, who had stolen the show until that point. Reading from a script of well-prepared jokes, Romney peppered targets like Kerry and Bulger, but was careful to take aim at himself: "I think it goes beyond the pale for the MDC to suggest that he donate his heart to me," a reference to his proposed dissolution of the Metropolitan District Commission.

So it was that the event's two biggest names - and perhaps not coincidentally, those with the most disposable income to direct at arguably frivolous expenses like jokewriters that are not blanketed by the payrolls at the whim of state legislators - turned out two of the finest appearances.

But a new face never before seen at the breakfast also made a splash: new Suffolk County Sheriff Andrea Cabral delivered a set greeted jovially by the crowd, several of whom approached her after the breakfast with congratulations.

"I was scared to death," Cabral said. "There are veterans up there that do this all the time. I was, jeez, scared to death."

Cabral killed 'em with a tongue-in-cheek civics lesson related via a cow parable ("You're a Republican, you have two cows, your neighbor has none - so what?"), but really scored with a gag about her misinterpretation of the term "black Irish," grinning, "Oh, I'm sorry, it's just the hair and the eyes," to grand applause.

"This is Southie's breakfast," Cabral said later. "The joke wasn't so much a joke on the lack of people of color here as it was a parody of my understanding of what black Irish meant. It is what it is, it's neighborhood stuff."

And so, on a Sunday morning with a crowd usually content to spend an hour or so in church, hundreds elbowed and squeezed their way into a church of a different kind; for one morning, a union hall in Southie became a cathedral to the political bonhomie and gamesmanship so celebrated here in Boston and so recognized here by others.

"It was absolutely superb," said Fred Pettinella, a Guy Glodis supporter from Worcester, who admitted his Italian name might have made him persona non grata. "With all that Irish blood in there, if there was any other blood, they'd pour it down the sink."

Jim O'Sullivan is a correspondent for the Dorchester Reporter.

[whometense]

20. mid-campaign, 3-17-2004

http://www.washtimes.com/national/20040321-115704-6371r.htm

Mr. Kerry, noting that the Democratic National Convention is headed to Boston this summer, addressed Mr. Romney directly, saying, "Hey, Mitt, by the way, I understand you're interested in our convention and I just wanted to give you a heads-up. We do not want you to steer the concessions contract to Halliburton."

Then to Boston Mayor Thomas Menino, a Democrat, Mr. Kerry said, "Mr. Mayor, just say no, we refuse to pay $163 for a bag of popcorn."

Mr. Kerry also joked about how badly he seemed to be doing late last year.

"At one point in December, I'm not sure even Pete Rose would have bet on me," he said.

He also poked fun at himself over the furor about his claiming to have talked with foreign leaders and received their endorsements.

"I'm feeling very confident about my ability to win. I've been told by a lot of foreign leprechauns they want me to win."

"Can you name them?" Mr. Hart asked.

"Not on your life," Mr. Kerry replied.

[whometense]

25. 3-17-1986

No link - sorry - online database. This is hardball.

BULGER'S ROAST JOKES DRAW BLOOD AND LAUGHS
Boston Globe
March 17, 1986
Author: Sarah V. Snyder, Globe Staff
Estimated printed pages: 2

Practically every Irish office-holder in Boston was there -- and those of quite a few other nationalities.

US Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.) squirmed. Mayor Flynn blushed. School Superintendent Laval Wilson, still relatively new to the city, looked astonished at the whole thing.
State Sen. William M. Bulger, South Boston Democrat and president of the state Senate, was holding his annual St. Patrick's Day political roast at the Bayside Club in Southie yesterday.

Being in attendance wasn't easy. Bulger played no favorites.

He rapped everyone, from the Kennedy family to the governor to The Boston Herald and The Boston Globe. About 800 people packed the club for the traditional pre-parade corned beef fest. The laughter rose louder than even the boisterous Irish music.

Bulger thanked Kerry for "having come all this way from the far end of his district, Nicaragua." He then invited Boston University president John Silber, who recently traded barbs with Kerry over US policy in Nicaragua, to join him on stage.

<...>

"And you must be Prince Charles," Bulger said, turning to Joe Kennedy. "I saw your uncle on Soviet TV," he said, referring to Sen. Edward Kennedy. "I thought he was surrendering." Bulger warned the younger Kennedy that he was beginning to have a "Kerry accent" and that the two were even starting to look alike: "blue shirts, blue suits, a lot of teeth."

After Bulger greeted Roosevelt as "the guy mooching on his grandfather's name," Bulger held up a mock Boston Globe front page with the headline, "Vote the Royal Family. We Need Them All." Below were pictures of the three candidates Bulger predicts the Globe will endorse in the 8th District: Roosevelt, Kennedy, and Prince Charles.

Only Wilson approached being praised by Bulger.

"He's trying to introduce something revolutionary into Boston public schools," Bulger told the crowd. "Education."

After congratulating Wilson on his performance, Bulger, a leader of the antibusing movement more than a decade ago, read from a speech he had made once before describing South Boston residents as being against busing, but not racist.

State Sen. Royal Bolling Sr. (D-Roxbury), who is black, then joined Bulger on stage. Laughing, he said he regretted having missed the speech the first time Bulger made it but, "I would have had to take a guard with me to hear it."

Bulger seemed to delight in blasting the Globe more than kidding any politician. The paper has been the object of his scorn, particularly for its probusing editorial stand, for years.

It seems the Globe has been sued so much lately, Bulger said, "You write a letter to 'Ask Beth,' and she takes the Fifth."

When Flynn laughed at that, Bulger threw a few more jibes the mayor's way.

He said Flynn, known for his love of publicity, was "like a moth headed for the klieg lights."

The pre-parade party ended with more Irish ballads, but not before Bulger let Gregory S. Hyatt take the microphone a moment to try to build support for Hyatt's Republican candidacy for governor.

"You're ready to sweep the state," Bulger told him afterward, as Gov. Dukakis sat smiling. "Grab a broom and sweep it.

[TayTay]

28. Bulger is a greedy little bastard, but he was funny as hell

1988:

Secretary of State Michael Connolly, one of Bulger's favorite targets, tried to disarm the Senate leader early with a joke on himself. "I'm late because my spaceship crashed down at the L Street bathhouse," Connolly said, referring to his reputation as being the "Secretary of Space."

Connolly's tactic didn't work. "That was a battle of wits," Bulger said. "It was very unfair of me -- my opponent was unarmed."

Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.) towers over Bulger, but the Senate president's introduction quickly cut him down to size. "Ladies and gentlemen, straight from Managua, Nicaragura, you've followed his career in People magazine: the junior senator from Massachusetts, John Kerry."

"You're not intimidated by the television cameras, are you?" Bulger asked Kerry with mock concern.

And Bulger recalled the first time he met Sen. Edward Kennedy, at a luncheon at Locke-Ober with former Judge Francis X. Morrissey "and other giants of the past."

********************

1990: now this is good harball stuff.

As usual, Bulger got in most -- but not all -- of the best one-liners. "It gets me mad, Gov, when people say the state's in chaos. Hah, chaos. That was the good old days," Bulger said.

Bulger described Crane, who steps down next January after 26 years in office, as "forgotten but not gone" and said, "Bob is not old -- he's part of the PEBSCO generation," a reference to the state pension plan that the FBI is investigating for allegedly improper financial connections with Crane.

When Weld failed to get many laughs from the crowd with his routine, Bulger said to the millionaire: "There's proof that money can't buy you everything."

As usual, Bulger slapped both Boston newspapers, calling the Boston Herald "journalism's answer to Toys-R-Us." He said copies of the tabloid used in a local grade-school reading program "should come with a warning label."

Referring to the Globe, Bulger urged Suffolk County Sheriff Robert C. Rufo to seize "a place on Morrissey Boulevard" for use as a new jail, adding, "You can keep the people who are in there already locked up, too."

But Bulger took some shots himself. Pierce asked why Bulger didn't host the breakfast at the Hynes Convention Center, the deficit-ridden agency controlled by a former Bulger aide and considered a haven of Bulger patronage. "That way everyone could go right back to work after it was over," Pierce said.

Weld and Boston University president John R. Silber, the only Democratic gubernatorial candidate to attend, jabbed each other in their routines.

Weld said, "I find the campaign has been great fun since John Silber tossed his mouth into the ring."

Silber came back later with a stab at Weld's patrician heritage, saying, "You know how to make an old Brahmin laugh? Tell him a joke when he's young."

[TayTay]

31. Whome, I think only you and I will like these 'greatest hits'

but they were pretty funny. From 1995:

Spying Kerry, Bulger quipped, "You were good to get here on time. Last year you were stuck in front of the mirror."

And in a telephone call with President Clinton broadcast live to his guests, Bulger took aim at an absent Raymond L. Flynn, the former Boston mayor now serving as US ambassador to the Vatican. "Can I ask you a trivia question?" Bulger inquired. "Do you ever see Ray Flynn around?"

Bulger's most enthusiastic foe was Weld, who at one point said his greatest wish is "to be born Irish, not rich."

During the three-hour breakfast, attended by some 400 patrons jammed into South Boston's Bayside Club, Weld recited several songs in which he good-naturedly ribbed Bulger and the Irish for their fondness for large families, political patronage and beer.

One song, written to the tune of "Charlie on the MTA," which portrays a character forever lost on the city's subways, made light of Bulger's fugitive brother, James (Whitey) Bulger, who eluded authorities in January after learning a federal racketeering indictment was about to be issued against him.

"Will he ever return?" Weld sang. "No, he'll never return. No, he'll never come back this way. I just got a call from the Kendall Square station. He's with Charlie on the MTA."

Other guests speared by Bulger's wit also attempted to acquit themselves, often by lampooning themselves. Kerry, for instance, closed a well-received poem saying he had to leave the stage for "a live shot in the hall."

[whometense]

33. These are great.

I have to say, I got waylayed reading old Inside Track snark about Kerry's sigle life and the (not so) warm reception THK received when she first came to Boston.

Inside Track is female-written. Jealousy perhaps???

[TayTay]

34. The Senator write a poem - 3/18/96 (Excerpts?)

THE SENATOR WRITES A POEM
Boston Globe, THIRD, Sec. METRO, p 16 03-18-1996


The following are excerpts from a poem by US Sen. John F. Kerry that he read at the annual St. Patrick's Day breakfast in South Boston yesterday:

So we're back in the heart of Billy's domain
And nothing this year feels quite the same.
Fran* and the boys got their Bulger annuity.
Now Bulger himself is President in Perpetuity.
Now we thought that our Billy would go to his grave
With secrets of shots that he took and he gave,
But old Southie's code our Bill Bulger forsook,
For Billy, our Billy, has written a book.
At UMass Bill was puzzled, a rookie, a dude.
He thought Calipari was some kind of food.
And lousy with liberals so brazen and free,
The place was upsetting this son of BC.
So Bill got on his knees and he prayed up to God,
But the Lord gave no answer, he gave him no nod.
"Can I ask for your help, God, may I be so bold?"
God said, "Make it quick. Silber's got me on hold."
Billy at UMass -- Just think of the jobs!
He'll banish the Globe, kick out the snobs.
Create Southie professors, chairs named after Curley,
And best of them all -- Dean Wacko Hurley.

Now, Gov, want you to know you've made a real blooper,
Cause you're sitting up here without your state trooper.
While you came here seeking some Irish connection,
You'll leave here wishing you'd brought some protection.
I know you've had fun fooling the masses,
Putting your face on all the "T" passes.
And taking advantage of taxpayer millions
On election year props named after Ted Williams.
But, Gov, real bad news, the tunnel's got holes,
And gas masks and fumes, and soon you'll raise tolls!
If we'd known at the start it would leak like a funnel,
We'd have named the dammed thing the Bill Buckner Tunnel.
A twister in Great Barrington devastated the town,
But where was the governor? He could scarcely be found?
"This is no disaster," the governor replied,
"Let me tell you about a tragedy, Jerry Garcia just died."

All of this, of course, is said in good cheer,
And as Senator, of course, I'll be back here next year.
Can't wait for the day of the ultimate poll date
When Red's fate will be sealed with Gingrich, his soulmate.
Till then my good friends, I'll see you around
Cuz running, you know, I'm hitting the ground.
To Billy at UMass, a rousing congrats,
And to all of the rest, a Happy Saint Pats!



* Guide to terms

Billy - Former State Senate President Billy Bulger

* Francis X. Joyce, a former top Bulger aide, is the executive director of the Massachusetts Convention Center Authority.

Silber is the President of Life of Boston University, and a former Democratic nominee for Gov in 1990

Wacko Hurley, long time South Boston pol (long story, very conservative guy.)

The Gov was Bill Weld (Nicknamed Big Red) and, at this time, Kerry's Repub opponent in that year's Mass Senate race. (Weld had a state trooper assigned to drive him around. Grumble, grumble, waste of taxpayers money, grumble.)

[ProSense]

38. This is cool!

I remember Bill Buckner, the hole gloved one.

[whometense]

32. Worcester, 1996

BARBS, BLARNEY ABOUND AT ST. PAT'S DAY BREAKFAST
Worcester Telegram & Gazette (MA)
March 11, 1996
Author: Emilie Astell; Telegram & Gazette Staff

<...>

Kerry came on with a few remarks before he and Weld were each given a shillelagh.

The senator told a story of Brendan O'Connor, of O'Connors Restaurant & Bar, sitting with a drunk at a bar. The drunk described a woman at the end of the bar as the ugliest woman he'd ever seen. O'Connor told the drunk he was talking about O'Connor's sister and that beauty is only skin deep. The drunk said, "All right then, skin her," Kerry said.

Kerry sat through many references to Heinz ketchup and the fortune of his wife, Teresa Heinz, shaking his head on occasion.

"I don't believe in leprechauns," Kerry said. "If I have to dip into a pot of gold, I just turn to my wife."

St. Patrick, he said, drove the snakes out of Ireland, but they all ended up working for Pat Buchanan in his bid for the GOP presidential nomination.

Kerry said Worcester County Sheriff John M. Flynn is a loyal fellow who goes to many a wake. As the story goes, an Irish friend of Flynn's said he brought a bottle over from the old country and asked Flynn to pour it on his grave. Flynn said he'd be happy to, Kerry said, but added, "Do you mind if I pass it through my kidneys first?"

[whometense]

29. A few odd bits

A DAY FOR BANDS & BLARNEY A TYPICAL BULGER BREAKFAST: ROAST POLITICIAN
Boston Globe
March 21, 1988
Author: Renee Loth, Globe Staff

<...>

Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.) towers over Bulger, but the Senate president's introduction quickly cut him down to size. "Ladies and gentlemen, straight from Managua, Nicaragura, you've followed his career in People magazine: the junior senator from Massachusetts, John Kerry."

"You're not intimidated by the television cameras, are you?" Bulger asked Kerry with mock concern.

BULGER BEATS FELLOW POLITICIANS TO THE PUNCH LINE
Boston Globe
March 20, 1989
Author: Bruce Mohl, Globe Staff

<...>

Among the surprising no-shows at yesterday's breakfast were former Attorney General Francis X. Bellotti, a likely candidate for governor, Sen. Edward M. Kennedy and Sen. John Kerry. Bulger said Kerry must have been detained by actress Morgan Fairchild.

[whometense]

30. 3-17-1995

POLITICS INSIDE OUT Joe K sending political signals
Boston Herald (MA)
March 21, 1995
Author: Wayne Woodlief

<...>

On Sunday, at Bulger's annual breakfast, the usual rituals were on display, including, for the second straight year, a President Clinton call-in, mutual roasting by Democrat Bulger and Republican Gov. William Weld and playful portents of future political slugging - this time between Weld and Sen. John Kerry.

Egging on the potential combatants in what would be a true heavyweight fight in 1996, Kerry's re-election year, Bulger brought Kerry and Weld together for a handshake at the lectern.

Weld jabbed, "Kerry's a great man, a self-made man who worships his creator" - then winced at his own joke.

Kerry's gagwriters didn't spare the governor, firing doggerel roasting the legislative pay raise just before Weld, Bulger and House Speaker Charles Flaherty left on a trade mission to Ireland.

"So he ran 'ginst a State House so troublin', he married 'em all and took 'em to Dublin," said Kerry. "So watch me go conquer the Beacon Hill maze, it's not very hard, I'll just give them a raise."

[TayTay]

35. Whome, I've really enjoyed these 'blasts from the past'

they made me laugh:

1997, after the Senate race:

Weld, who supported Kraft's efforts to locate a stadium in Southie, paid homage to the neighborhood's clout by wearing an antistadium button. The governor, who lost a US Senate race to Kerry last year, also wore a "Kerry for Senate" button.

Kerry and Weld performed a duet, to the tune of "Side by Side," that poked fun at the blue-blood breeding they share: "We've both got a lot of money, middle names that sound funny, but despite our school ties, we're regular guys, John and Bill."

BHerald:
Gov. William F. Weld and U.S. Sen. John F. Kerry - who battled last fall - stood arm-in-arm, singing a song poking fun at their blue-blooded, trust-funded backgrounds.

"Just because we don't sweat for a dollar doesn't mean we're as stiff as our collar," one verse rang.


US Senator John F. Kerry:

On his much-publicized acceptance of free lodging years ago: "I have never slept in the Lincoln Bedroom, but there was a time in my life when if I'd known there was a bedroom available, I'd have slept there . . . It's amazing how many buildings in Boston have signs saying `John Kerry slept here.' "

On foes who thought he'd be outspent in the Senate race: "They discounted the value of my pickles and ketchup . . . I married up."

On Weld: "Bill, are you hallucinating? Must be a case of the Bentley `flu'."

[rox63]

42. These are all great!

Thanks for posting all these wonderful bits of history. It gives folks an idea of how politics works in Boston. And what a quick wit JK is.

[TayTay]

37. And for Vektor

her fav from that day (2003)

Kerry got much mileage from his prostate cancer surgery, which he descibed as "a little repair work done on my shillelagh." Lynch winced beside him. The audience hooted as Kerry edged closer to the line than any other speaker.

[ProSense]

40. Excellent posts -- All

Kerry has a great sense of humor. I don't understand how the caricature of him (you know) came about? Anyway, thanks for feeding my voracious appetite to learn more about the man.

[europegirl4jfk]

27. How can a politician be labeled boring?!

Then ALL of our European politicians are boring! Kerry isn't an entertainer, a show-master, a comedian or a clown. He is no Leno, no Jon Stewart. He is much more than these guys. He is a politician, for God's sake! Someone who must be serious, intelligent and competent. Someone who can gain the trust of the people to govern in their name. That doesn't mean that he can't be funny or relaxed when its appropriated. And he is! We have seen that! For me he is a perfect Statesman. Someone who would certainly be appreciated in every country here in Europe.

[Mass]

39. I know - This surprises me also - This is something I would never ask

from a politician.

Argue about where people stand, but frankly, their speaking style is something that is absolutely irrelevant.

[jenndar]

41. Did you hear Ed talking about his listeners

LOVE what JK is doing right now? I hope everyone sends Ed the KerryLove again :)

[Mass]

17. A soundbyte that did not make it in his speech

but that is on his website as part as the prepared remarks (johnkerry.com)

The president says no war has ever been won on a timetable - and I say to him: No war has ever been won with sound-bites. No war has ever been won by keeping the American people in the dark. No war has ever been won without a clear strategy.