The New Yorker’s Ryan Lizza interviews John Kerry on Energy Independence

[ProSense]

Video: The New Yorker’s Ryan Lizza interviews John Kerry on Energy Independence




h/t MBS

[YvonneCa]

1. Great interview! Thank you for posting...

...it, Prosense (and MBS). :)

[SunsetDreams]

2. K&R, great interview

[ProSense]

3. It was a terrific interview.

Really insightful.

[karynnj]

4. Fascinating interview

This interview shows a true statesman working incredibly hard to move people to do the right thing. It is interesting that this was recorded right before the caucus, where the party opted to try to get a climate bill rather than just another energy bill.

[YvonneCa]

5. He is truly a statesman, karynnj. n/t

[politicasista]

6. Good interview although...

it really sucks that he has to make "nice" with Fat Bone Pickens. Sorry, but still don't trust him. He seems to be looking out for himself rather than the environment as a whole. It would be nice that people who really talk/care about the cause instead of a smear man who is in it strictly for the money could speak on this issue. Still would like to hear from those that have strong credibility on the environment (i.e. Van Jones, Majora Carter, etc) think about the bill as a whole.

This isn't a knock on the Senator, but it would be nice to hear from all diverse sides of this issue. Energy independence involves everyone.

[YvonneCa]

7. I agree about T. Boone, politicasista. But I have to...

...tell you ...one of the things that earns my loyalty to Senator Kerry is that he puts what is good for the country ahead of his personal 'comfort'. He is able to get beyond even the worst kind of slander to his character and keep forging ahead.

In my book, that makes him a man of integrity...and puts him 'head and shoulders' above anyone remotely like a T. Boone Pickens.

It also makes me very glad to know we still have people like that in our government. We really need more. :hi:

[karynnj]

9. Lindsey Graham said that doing so spoke volumes about Kerry

I suspect that even before this, Senators knew that Kerry was a high minded statesman - after this I bet that they all see that - even if they completely disagree with him.

[YvonneCa]

10. Wouldn't it be great if one day...

...people on both sides of the aisle see what we see here? :)

[politicasista]

12. That is a man of integrity

just like President Obama, and it is sometimes sad that more people can not see that. Agree with you we need more of that. :hi:

[YvonneCa]

14. We are SO lucky to have both of these...

...men working for our country right now. I am forever grateful. :)

[politicasista]

15. Yes we are

:)

[karynnj]

8. The Kerrys actually gave Majora Carter huge visibility with their book

She was one of the environmentalists who they honored. I do think that the country needs to hear from environmentalists. Kerry was a serious environmentalist himself before Carter was born! Kerry is "listening to them" just by putting the huge hours and focusing his skills and energy on creating a bill to rein in carbon emissions.

Including Pickens was different. He was pushing some proposals that transitioned from other fuels to natural gas. Kerry included those proposals that made a real difference bringing down carbon emissions. As Kerry said here, he was not going to leave something helpful out because of personal feelings.

[YvonneCa]

11. "This Moment on Earth" was such a great book! I read...

...it a couple of years ago.

[politicasista]

13. No doubting that he is not listening

to them (ok he is).

And appreciate the visibility the Kerrys gave M. Carter in TMOE. However, it just seems like she and other strong, effective environmentalists are M.I.A. on this issue. Not downplaying the Senator as a true environmentalist, it just seems like the true ones (minus Al Gore) are nowhere to be found in supporting this bill.

Putting a group of white men behind you while introducing he bill (even if you need theirs and bipartisan support) sends the wrong message. And we know how people feel about Lieberman, they just don't trust him or the GOP.

Understand people think V. Jones is toxic right now (given is 9/11 comments, etc), but Pickens is ten times more.

[karynnj]

16. Her absence may be because this is not her issue

There are many environmental issues and you can't assume that being a leader in one makes you a leader in all of them. Carter was best known for environmental justice - the idea that it is unfair to place all the "bad" things in poor areas. I don't know if she ever had a role on global warming. Likewise, Gore who has been phenomenal on global arming had a LCV lifetime score slightly below 70. The fact is that Kerry has had something like 20 major environmental groups that he has reached out to, kept informed and they were there backing him.

The Kerrys tried very hard - and better than any mainstream people - to make the point that the environment as not a rich liberal white movement. They tried very hard to get people like Carter recognition. The people behind them represented industries that had stakes in this, environmental groups, religious groups etc. It was a pretty broad coalition.

As to Van Jones vs Pickens, I would assume that Kerry likely is far closer to Jones. But, it is likely true that Pickens may be more useful in getting Senate support than Jones. Why? Kerry's on record on the environment is every bit as good as that of Jones. Kerry will likely have all those who Jones could reach. Some Senators who would listen to Pickens might not listen to Kerry.

But, these people could lead grassroots support for the bill. That is something that by definition a sitting Senator should not lead - if he did, it would make them look less independent.

As to color, I didn't hear that complaint on health care or financial reform - though their press conferences were similarly white. There is only one black Senator now - and frankly, he is not impressive.

[politicasista]

17. You are right. This is not her issue

You could say environmental justice is her top priority/issue. Never heard her comment on Global Warming publicly (though maybe privately?), but she is a cool environmentalist. It is good that the Senator still has the support of the LCV also.

Yep, do think the Kerrys tried hard on this with TMOE. It is not their fault that their book did not make to the likes of Oprah and that crowd. All they got from the DU/Kos, and the blogsphere was "they are just copying Gore, blah, blah, blah." They got Majora some recognition because she was interviewed in Essence, Ebony, JET, etc. They probably still got kudos from V. Jones on the side?, but you have to start somewhere.

Hate to keep bringing color on this issue, but that is not fair. You have some who are slowly coming around to the importance of going green, saving energy, etc. It just is not a top priority right now, with the economy, and AA still getting hit hard by unemployment and crime, so everything else is sorta on the backburner right now.

Being a politician means you have to compromise on something. It just sucks that he has to get pass a sham in Bone Pickens to get the ball moving, and that Kerry/Boxer was not strong enough instead of Kerry/Lieberman.

Wish him the best on this.

[karynnj]

18. Their book did make the NYT 10 best sellers for a few weeks

The Kerrys did a huge number of public appearances, both televised and not. They also were on every network multiple times. Oprah never had the Kerrys on in 2004 - though she had both the Gores and Bushes in 2000. Place the blame for this where it belongs - on Oprah. There is no way - in either time period - that the Kerrys would have turned down her show. As to Carter, she got major interviews on the three networks after the book.

Their sales in spite of many major stores not even having it. As to not being an Oprah book, I think she only has novels. http://bestsellers.about.com/od/oprahsbookclub/a/oprah_book_list.htm I don't think the environment is a big cause of Ophrah's.

You obviously did not listen to Kerry on Pickens, here or elsewhere. It is not a sham. Natural gas is far cleaner than gasoline. It actually provides a large part of the reduction in carbon in the early years. As Kerry said, it was useful and helped reduce carbon - and that was more important to him than Pickens' transgressions (my word - not Kerry's) against him.

What is not fair?
"Hate to keep bringing color on this issue, but that is not fair. You have some who are slowly coming around to the importance of going green, saving energy, etc. It just is not a top priority right now, with the economy, and AA still getting hit hard by unemployment and crime, so everything else is sorta on the backburner right now."

No matter what your color, people are concerned about the economy and unemployment - it is more severe among blacks, but it is a concern to everyone. But, that doesn't mean that we can afford to ignore all other issues. You were the one that brought color into this - complaining about the people included in Kerry's press conference. One person that has worked with Kerry from the beginning is Lisa Jackson, EPA head, who is black. She spoke at Teresa's conference this year. She testified to Boxer's committee on Kerry/Boxer - http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/289661-1 (She was one of the people mentioned as having been at a dinner at the Kerrys' home in early 2009 to kick off this whole effort.)

Van Jones is toxic right now and you tell me which Senators, not already for a climate change bill that he can influence. At this point, Kerry is using the military, business and evangelical people strongly supporting it to help sell the idea to some conservative Democrats and moderate Republicans who respect those people. The Kerrys and Carter had a great, mutually supportive relationship. Kerry has spoken of environmental justice for decades and he honored a woman who was able through incredible effort and ability to win a small victory. Their praise and the recognition that they got for her was well deserved (by her) - but what would be the point of having her at that press conference. Not everything is about race.

While it is true that Gore will always be the name associated with climate change, something he deserves, Kerry has gotten plenty of international credit for his efforts. If a bill is passed that prices carbon and Obama signs it - just as Kennedy was the one singled out as the main force behind the health care bill - though Reid, Baucus, and Dodd were the key people on the Senate side and Pelosi and others on the House side, it will be Kerry who will and should get the credit on this - even though Markey and Waxman will deserve huge credit as well. In addition, if it passes, Kerry will likely be a key player pushing for an international treaty - and as SFRC chair will be the one to shepherd it's ratification. If both come to pass, Obama will be known for this issue, but Kerry will have been the one, more than anyone, including Gore, who made it happen.

[politicasista]

19. Did not say natural gas was a sham

but Pickens himself is. Because of him, people still think Kerry did nothing in response to him and his SB liars (when he did).

Though never read any books from Oprah's book club, she did like Gore's "An Inconvenient Truth" and book.

I saw the Kerry's on Tavis Smiley (not a fan of his anymore). They were great. As for Oprah, I will blame her though she did have the Obamas/Bidens on her show, but you won't please everyone.

Missed the last part of the interview, but did listen to the first parts (Paraphrasing) from the Senator that it is time to move forward (almost focus on the big picture) and leave the past behind.

We should not ignore other issues, and the reason there is "complaining" about color into this is because if you want people to learn more about CC, and why it is important, you talk TO them. Explain to them why this issue is important. Why is natural gas important? Right now, as Jeff Johnson from BET said, it's "Who Cares?"

Van Jones may be toxic, but it would be hard for him to get people like Franken, Feingold, and progressive types (they support coal, re-election?) on board, one has to realize that people hate Lieberman and still dislike the Senator for various reasons. Obama has the bully pulpit so hopeful that people will listen more and take this issue seriously.


I am not downplaying anything that the Kerrys have done. Glad he has talked about environmental racism because it still exists. And I understand they have a good relationship with Ms. Carter. It is about all people and this is why the Democrats and Obama (even though he still has solid support among AA) have to deal with. "What have you done for US lately?"

Looking at people bashing the Senator saying that he isn't a true" environmentalist and how his bill is a giveaway to big oil and how he needs to build a nuclear plant in his own Beacon Hill backyard. IMO, if the bill was Kerry/Boxer you would not be seeing and reading half the snark, misinformation we see in GD/Environment/Energy forums.


Will stop right there. It seems that things at DU have now changed since election night 2008 and when Obama was inaugurated. I got called "whiny" during the SOS debate. And since people are in a bullying mode than before, stopped visiting place. It's probably better for me to hang in GDP now anyway.


Glad you see decent people in the Kerrys. It is unfortunate that more don't. As said before, you can't and won't please everyone. I wish the Senator the best in getting this bill passed.


Peace.

[karynnj]

20. I think you need to assess why you think AAs cannot get information from the MSM

and why the black media has not done a good job on communication here. The fact is that Kerry, in serval articles, is described as having had over 270 meetings on climate shange and he has given speeches and gone on talk shows. It says something that you ask that he be the one to carry this message to the black media. Have you stopped to think that the black media is just not interested.

Ophrah was, at best, neutral in 2004. My guess - she liked the tax cuts. She has never invited Kerry on her show - ever, though she did have Laura Bush on for her book tour (during which in true "mean girl" fashion, she trashed both Kerrys while being above politics.) Oprah is in control of her show, not Kerry. Of course, she had the Bidens and Obamas on, she was a strong, early endorser of Obama. As to Gore, she gave both him and Bush a show in 2000 and he was on after his Nobel Prize was announced. NONE of these people were on to advocate or explain policy. It was personal. But, this is not about Kerry - it is about getting the message out on the need to pass a bill that prices carbon.

However, from your comments, it seems that Lisa Jackson, head of EPA, and Van Jones, a fellow at Center for American Progress, have failed as well to reach the black media powers as well. From your comments, the black media commentors seem to have done less well than even the MSM on explaining climate change. The science is there and there are plenty of competent people - including blacks like Jones, Jackson and, of course, Obama (who seems reluctant to do so) - who could explain the need to price carbon. What leverage does Kerry have to push black media to do so?

What Kerry is doing is his job, of crafting a bill that will reduce carbon emissions, reduce our dependence on foreign oil, create jobs, reduce the deficit, and has a cost of less than 50 cents a household a day. This was done while getting support from the affected industries, environmentalists, et al. He also is working with his fellow Senators. Of course he is making compromises, no bill that EVER passed did not make compromises. This is important - it is FAR better to pass a bill that makes small steps in the right direction than to have a perfect, well designed bill that gets 13 votes.

As to Feingold and Franken being "progressives" that Jones could reach - on this issue, they are not all that good - Feingold is awful. He voted NOT to let this pass under reconciliation. Both he and Franken were among the Senators asking for waivers to let coal power plants pollute.

It seems to me that while you ignore the very negative posts here on Obama - you consider negative posts on Kerry to relect what most people think of him. The fact is that both should be taken with a grain of salt. It is fact though that BOTH men are actually thought of as definately more good than bad by the DU population.

I really don't know what to make of your comment "Glad you see decent people in the Kerrys. It is unfortunate that more don't". The fact is virtually every poster here would credit Kerry and his wife as being not only "decent", but likely very decent. The same goes for the Obamas. What people question is the policies - or in both cases - if promises they made and hopes they raised were met. In Kerry's case, he raised hopes as he closed in on Bush and seemed to be winning. In Obama's, it was a confused set of expectations that he would immediately fix a world falling apart.

I suspect that the intensity of the reaction to Kerry - versus say Feingold (who is closer to Nelson in his votes than to Sanders - is that history. But, for all the anger and disappointment, though some question his political ability, very few when pushed, don't question the idea that he is a principled decent man.

I'm sorry if this is perceived by you as "bullying". It just gets very frustrating when -no matter what the op on Kerry is about - you whine about how he's not reaching AAs. The fact is a higher percent voted for him in 2004 than voted for Clinton. In addition, he has an 100% record on ALL civil rights issues, wrote a lot of legislation for minority small businesses, and has always had high African American support in MA elections. (This is far better than Gore's Senate record) At this point, the people he needs support from are fellow Senators and from MA voters IF in 2014, at the age of 70, he chooses to offer to represent the state for 6 more years.

[politicasista]

23. Just being an observer

And as far as black media goes, BET hasn't had news in almost ten years because they want the kiddies to watch hip-hop videos and other MTV/VH1 knockoff programing 24-7.

There is Washington Watch with Roland Martin on TVOne, which is a good alternative to the main Sunday morning talk shows. It is possible that they are interested, it's just that jobs, education, police mistrust (see Oakland, CA incident) are just the hot topics right now.

These are also big needs in the Hispanic community with Immigration being another hot issue. It would be cool to combine energy and immigration (i.e. energy/Green jobs for Hispanics, minorities, etc). I am not expecting the Senator to carry the message to them (though he needs to know that people don't care for Lieberman). Kerry and Obama can't force them to pay attention.

I was not turning this into an Oprah/Kerry thing. She is going to go with whatever is "it" right now. And to be honest, the Senator doesn't need that kinda publicity (though she would have loved Momma T).

And not turning this into a race thing. And true, Jackson, Jones, etc. could do more. Only heard them on Tom Joyner once talking about the Oil Spill, but we will be hearing from them again. Hopefully, the Gulf disaster will remind Obama that the environment is important (he is pro-environment), he has been talking up energy more (a speech coming if not already?) and there is room for improvement.

I didn't know that about Franken and Feingold. There are revered so much among liberal, progressive Democrats that they get free passes. As an environmental activist, it is now unlikely that Jones, if he wanted to, can/would not convince any of the Senators on the fence.

As for the negative posts on Obama, I haven't commented in them recently, probably because people (a few Tea Partiers) are coming out of the woodwork running for Congress (in TN) with a "Repeal Obamacare," "Stop Pelosi and Obama," "Vote Conservative" platform. Maybe it is frustration that some (not all) of Obama's supporters don't appreciate what an ally Kerry is, and that more anger needs to be directed at other members of Congress.

As far as the last comment about the Kerrys, to make the long story short. It's nice that you guys see him (them) for who they are, as good people. Wish some family could have. They don't "get" the Senator like they do Obama, the Kennedys, Gore and IMO that is frustrating. Guess you won't please everyone.


As for the "bullying" comment, that wasn't a good word to use. More like intolerance of different views. But it's all good. As I said, I got called "whiny" during the SOS arguments from GD posters got asked "What's your agenda?" at an AA blog for defending Kerry and Dems for M.I.A. when Obama and various members of Congress was attacked by the RW, Tea Partiers (during the HCR debate) so it seems like everything posted now is whining instead of an opinion.

Again, it's ok, maybe I am just tired of politics (or DU). Maybe? :shrug: Don't fit in here much anymore.

Apologies if everything was over the top. Maybe will just be in lurk mode or stay out of Kerry related threads. Wish them the best.

You have valid points as always. Peace.

[blm]

24. Kerry was the FIRST lawmaker to label it 'environmental racism' which AGAIN drew the anger of

many in his own party, especially the DLC crowd who ruled the last 20yrs of Dem party politics.

Why aren't you pissed off at those who call themselves journalists who refuse to cover important news about Kerry's DECADES of work for environmental justice in their reports?

Instead you always manage to swipe at Kerry as if it is his fault that many reporters in the black community can be just as careless and unattentive about serious matters as reporters in the mainstream corporate media.

If that issue truly mattered to the reporters they would already know Kerry's been at the forefront of advocating for environmental justice and still fights for it today, and they'd have written a number of articles supporting his work. And then, maybe, YOU and your family would have noticed long ago, eh?

[politicasista]

25. It's ok. Everyone treats me like a no one now

Again, it's ok. As I said, I have gotten called "whiny" a some DUers in GD during the SOS argument.


My parents are both Boomers. They and my grandparents have seen a lot in their lifetimes (i.e. Civil Rights Movement, etc.) and have always voted Democratic in every single election from JFK to Obama.

The urban press could be a lot better and don't like like the media. Never have. Nor the DLC. IMO, they are the ones holding up progress (just yesterday, our TN DLC Gov. candidate said that the Obama Administration was "wrong" to challenge the Arizona law).

I have been asked by some bloggers "What's your agenda?" an AA blog (Weeseeyou.com) for defending Kerry from staunch Obama supporters (one was an MA constituent) who were complain that he and other Dems were silent in response to the Teabaggers' attacks on President Obama and several lawmakers during the HCR debate.


It's all good. I already got accused on being on Team Clinton and Anti-Kerry, despite the fact I was glad he endorsed Obama and plan to vote for Obama in 2012.

No one understands where I am from, but as I said, I don't fit in anywhere anymore.

Just making observation, but see that I and opinions are no longer welcome to DU.


You can ignore me now. Thanks to everyone for running me away.

[blm]

26. Because you take swipe after swipe at Kerry without GETTING a clue that the ignorance of those

who you post about is the problem, especially so-called 'journalists' who claim to be keyed into the concerns of the black community. Sorry, but, the false accusations and 'other people' routine is old.

How many times do you need to go through this EXACT SAME TYPE OF EXCHANGE, anyway?

[politicasista]

27. I do NOT always take swipes at Kerry

I don't let the journalists off the hook either. Colored or not. There could always be more AA journalists telling the truth, but unfortunately, they are part of the MSM and have to tow their daily spin.

I got attacked and asked "What's your agenda?" from Weeseeyou.com bloggers for defending Kerry from staunch Obama supporters who wondered why were people that supported Obama and Democrats were silent over the Teabaggers vicious attacks on Obama and members of Congress during the HCR debate.

Guess that isn't good enough. And some DUers piled on me back in 08 for being "whiny" during the SOS debates. Didn't know that being whiny was just stating an opinion.

First I get accused of being Anti-Kerry, defending Team Clinton, and treated like a toxic freeper or GD Kerry basher.

But I understand. I am always wrong on everything. Thanks and running me away. DU doesn't need me anymore.

[blm]

28. same routine....

and ya know what? Kerry DID defend Obama throughout the dumb attacks....MANY TIMES. Those who claim he didn't are just plain WRONG or deliberately ignorant. And so are their media darlings.

[politicasista]

29. It's ok. People here always pile on me

for stating something Kerry related and treating me like a nobody.

I know he defended Obama. He did in that interview. He didn't have to, but he chose/chooses to do that. Weeseeyou.com is a mostly Pro-Obama blog. One of Kerry's constituents from MA (a dude named Zachboston) came up with a suggestion to call Senators (mine, no way) and tell them to come together and denounce the Teabaggers' attacks on Obama and members of Congress during the HCR debate. I no longer read there because of intolerance of views.

I agree with you on here, but I don't know why people everyone is attacking me for stating a real-world opinion. But again, it's all good. I get dumped on a lot here.

[blm]

32. oh please...just knock it off...

you know exactly what is going on here...you CHOOSE to play one role as you swipe at Kerry...and THEN you work in the victim angle.

[politicasista]

33. Check you pm

:hi:

[blm]

35. you just don't listen to yourself, do you?

Volvos whine less.

What I don't like is the constant sniping you do at Kerry and when you're called on it you claim it's always 'others' in your life who make ignorant statements that you just can't seem to defend.

And, further, when you're called on it you resort to EXCESSIVE whining about your perceived victimization instead of posting an informed reply that would be useful you you and others.

[politicasista]

36. Yep. I listen

Check the message. :hi:

[politicasista]

37. Makes sense

But other DUers don't treat me like I am a nobody. As I said I like the Kerrys. I appreciate things they have done for the environment. I just have family that didn't get him like they do Obama, the Kennedys and Gore. And they don't see what he has to offer for this country and Obama Agenda no matter how many facts you throw at them. They keep up with politics. They have voted Democratic in every single presidential primary/election. And that is frustrating and why I am venting even if it is seen as whining.


See message.

[blm]

38. It's unnecessary to message me...I don't CARE if you like the Kerrys or not because I have no reason

to believe your constant sniping at him (that is proven BASELESS every time) is rooted in true concern. And, if it was sincere at some earlier point, you'd have knocked it off long ago when you and your family and friends and the reporters you rely on were proven WRONG over and over and over and over again.

Go whine at someone who believes your act. I don't.

[politicasista]

39. It's ok. I am gone. n/t

[givechase]

30. Majora regularly connects Environmental Equality and Climate Change

see: http://www.cnn.com/2008/TECH/06/05/carter.bio/
"If power plants, waste handling, chemical plants and transport systems were located in wealthy areas as quickly and easily as in poor areas, we would have had a clean, green economy decades ago." -- Majora Carter
the dirty energy we have designed would not have been tolerated if we respected the environmental rights of everyone equally.
Kerry's book, however, was a bit too little too late. Including people like Majora was smart to bolster the book's legitimacy, but i doubt it gave her much more exposure than she already garners on her own.

[politicasista]

31. After TMOE, she did interviews with Essence, Ebony, JET, etc.

So she did get exposure to a new audience after the book was released. Environmental Energy and Climate Change are a good connection.

[givechase]

41. Senator Kerry - Black Press Magnet

yeah - look John Kerry is a great and famous person for sure. But Majora already had a MacArthur Fellowship, a Sundance Channel Show, had spoken at TED and launched TEDtalks with Al Gore and 4 other speaker, etc.
There is plenty to criticize about the Black press and other journalism cabals, but I really doubt the publications you mention wait for the nod from a New England politician before deciding to cover a woman like Majora. But who knows, maybe that patrician blessing is what they needed to put a Black woman who doesn't straighten her hair on their pages!

[karynnj]

46. Carter did not have the MacArthur Fellowship in 2004, when she was one

of the people highlighted by the Kerry campaign in one of the environmental themed events - that happened in 2004. What is true is that she had done some incredible, remarkable things - which is why the Kerrys highlighted her work. Her TED conference was 2 years after the campaign event. No one is taking anything away from her. She is incredible. The fact is that if you look at the list of awards - you see that other than the initial grant that was the start of her work, they are all post 2004.

Now, it is possible that she would have gotten the same media interest even if Kerry never ran for President, the fact is that she got a huge amount of coverage after their book came out.

From wikipedia:

# 2009 Fellow: Post Carbon Institute <27>
# 2008 Named a “visionary” as one of Utne Reader magazine’s “50 Visionaries Who Are Changing the World.”<28>
# 2008 Appointed to America's Climate Choices: Panel on Limiting the Magnitude of Future Climate Change: National Academy of Sciences <29>
# 2008 Liberty Medal for Lifetime Achievement: The New York Post<30>
# 2008 The Eleanor Roosevelt Val-Kill Medal: Eleanor Roosevelt Society<31>
# 2008 Hollister Award: United Nations Temple of Understanding<32>
# 2008 Paul Wellstone Award: Campaign for America's Future<33>
# 2007 Rachel Carson Award: National Audubon Society<34>
# 2007 New York State Women of Excellence Award: Lt. Gov. David Paterson<35>
# 2007 Honorary PhD: Mercy College<36>
# 2007 Martin Luther King Jr. Award for Community Service: NYU<37>
# 2007 Lawrence Enersen Award: National Arbor Day Society<38>
# 2005 Fellow: John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation<3>
# 2002 Union Square Award: Fund for the City of New York<3[br />

PS what's this "New England politician" bit.

[blm]

34. Kerry's worked for decades on this. The book was just another way to get real people involved

in their communities by showing real world solutions that anyone can access and perform. And if 2004 hadn't been another stolen election, Kerry wouldn't have needed a book, he'd have had an environmental czar working closely with him, probably right out of the WH.

[givechase]

42. agreed

indeed, i meant that TMOE was too little too late for Kerry to solidify his public image as a "green" leader. It looked like he was playing catch up to Al Gore. to be fair, Kerry was busy being a Senator, while Al Gore was free to pursue Laurie David and build a real communications platform around a single issue.

But i also agree with you that both Gore and Kerry's victories were stolen by Bush/Rove. I am so thankful that Obama won, but all the same hob-goblins will be out for 2012 --- we have to prepare now.

[blm]

43. People actually INVOLVED in environmental movement already KNEW Kerry as a solid 'green' leader

long before he ran in 04 and also knew Teresa as the top philanthropist for their efforts who walked the walk for decades as well.

It seems to me that its the UNDERINFORMED and the corpmedia who hold sway over the minds of too many Dems when it comes to Kerry, even DUers.

[givechase]

44. with all due respect, so what?

Blaming the "UNDERINFORMED", and/or "the media", is tantamount to blaming yourself (as a group). The media are a beast for sure, but a beast of burden if properly harnessed. The GOP has the same access to all the communications tools available to any other party. They're just better at it, and more disciplined.

Depending on others to "get it right" always fails. It's OUR responsibility to manipulate the media for the common good.

Furthermore, just because the Kerry's put more dollars down, doesn't mean that they pushed innovations in green leadership that could result in either good/better policy or votes.

[karynnj]

45. Just two major times where John Kerry did lead

1) Bali environmental conference (including negotiations leading up to it) - Kerry was the Congressional delegation to Bali. Though the media gave little attention to this - Kerry was praised in the Senate Foreign Relations Committee by the Bush administration for the work he did there. The President’s chairman of the Council on Environmental Quality, James Connaughton, spoke before the SFRC hearing chaired by Senator Menendez. Mr. Connaughton was part of the President’s delegation who attended the second week of the Bali Conference. Because of the Senate schedule, Senator Kerry flew 40 hours round trip to spend 36 hours as the sole US Congressional representative to the conference.
http://foreign.senate.gov/hearings/hearing/?id=ab0e2c3b-e2da-857c-5fd2-2fd1797bf15c

At a SFRC hearing, Mr. Connaughton, who represented President Bush said:
“I would particularly also want to call out thanks to Senator Kerry for coming to Bali. I would note that the remarks he gave in Bali were very constructive in helping to educate the international community on the needs, what it would take for America to move forward together in a bi-partisan way. I thought those remarks were very well received. Senator Kerry, thank you for that.”
Listening to the hearing, the Senator is praised for his leadership on this issue by both Republicans and Democrats.
http://www.senate.gov/~foreign/hearings/2008/hrg080124p.html

Here was even stronger praise from an earth day SFRC hearing: Ambassador Stuart Eizenstat (around 4 minutes in) said:

"The fact that we had a treaty was significantly due to the fact that Senator Kerry was there. He was a virtual part of our negotiating team, without his day and night support and lobbying of the EU. we would not have gotten a treaty. http://foreign.senate.gov/hearings/hearing/?id=b5577de1-9281-daa9-00a8-e6e0972abb1d

2) The entire Obama administration climate change effort started at a large dinner party at the Kerrys' home. In case you haven't followed it closely - if there is a billed passed that puts a price on carbon, the person who will deserve the most credit - whether he gets it or not - is Kerry.

The fact is that as BLM says - the environmental community has long known that Kerry is the Senate's environmental leader. In fact, the LCV endorsed him in the primary - something they NEVER did for anyone else - including Gore. Kerry (and Lieberman for that matter) had a FAR better LCV lifetime score than Gore, who really was good on global warming - and not good on other issues.

As to money - it is NOT money, but a huge commitment of both Teresa's and John's efforts. The fact is that Teresa Kerry did FAR more on green building than she is ever given credit for. It is largely Teresa, who is responsible for Pirtsburgh being the greenest city (where Obama had the G20 for that reason.) Her work led GHWB to appoint her as a Non-governmental delegate to Rio. (Something he might later have regretted as that is where she and Kerry got to know each other.)

[LibDemAlways]

21. Ryan Lizza is an exceptional journalist. Back in 2006 he wrote an

investigative cover story for The New Republic that exposed George Allen as a racist several months before the infamous "macaca" incident. He does his homework and is well informed. Great interview here, too.

[karynnj]

22. I wish there were more like him

His questions here are incredibly good. He was almost unobtrusive, while getiing a better more detailed view of what Senator Kerry is doing - and what the political landscape is like on this than I have seen elsewhere. I have always foung that the more detailed and tougher the interview, the better Senator Kerry looks.

[politicasista]

40. Sorry for ruining your thread ProSense

I am gone from DU now. Keep up the good work.

[Moochy]

47. crazy