Kerry a no-show when it counts [key missed vote]

The Boston Herald ^ | 5/12/04 | Editorial

[Gothmog]

We never thought we'd be grateful to have Sen. John Kerry [related, bio] too busy on the campaign trail to tend to his day job. But there's a first for everything.

A Democratic election-year favorite - extending federal unemployment benefits for six months - went down the drain yesterday by one vote.

And guess who wasn't in the Senate chamber to put the measure over the top?

Proponents needed 60 senators to support the procedural move to get the extension considered. It failed 59-40.

That's a very good thing. The unemployment rate dropped to 5.6 percent last month. Employers added nearly 300,000 new jobs. Almost 900,000 new jobs have been created so far this year. This is no time to discourage those on the unemployment rolls from looking for work.

The problem for John Kerry is you sure can't run against President Bush [related, bio] on the ``jobless recovery'' issue when the recovery is no longer jobless. And it's even harder to castigate Bush and the Republican Congress for blocking benefits for the unemployed when you're a no-show.

That didn't stop Kerry from trying, again, to have it both ways.

Kerry spokesman David Wade said, ``John Kerry has fought again and again to extend unemployment benefits for workers left behind in the Bush economy.

``The reason we haven't succeeded is because George Bush opposes extending unemployment insurance, and so do his allies in the Republican House of Representatives and 39 Republican senators,'' Wade added.

Come again? The Bush campaign debate prepsters couldn't have asked for a better comeback when Kerry starts pontificating about Bush being anti-worker. At least the president shows up for work.

[Gothmog]

Kerry's not only out of touch with the voters, he can't even keep track of a key vote.

[samtheman]

This is right up there with Kerrey and Hamilton having hairdresser appointments that kept them from hearing the Presidents testimony at the 9/11 commission.

[Tamzee]

Too funny.... I swear this guy HAS to be a GOP plant!

He can't possibly be this much of a moron by accident ;-)

[Semper Vigilantis]

More good news for President Bush as unemployment continues to drop further as the benefits dry up.

I expect kerry to claim his fourth Purple Heart next week - just as soon as he realizes that he just shot himself in the foot!

[bondjamesbond]

You gotta hope the 'Pubbies were clever enough to have nine Senators go in the tank to make sure this measure lost by only one vote... John F'n Kerry's vote.

There is no way the Senate could extend unemployment benefits in a time of rising employment. But the 'Pubbies were going to take a political hit for being "insensitive" to the hopelessly lazy class by turning down the extension. Now, since the matter failed by only one vote, John F'n Kerry's vote, they are innoculated from criticism for doing what had to be done.

Strategery!

[raybbr]

He can't possibly be this much of a moron by accident ;-)

It's no accident. He's democrat liberal.

[.cnI redruM]

Upon reviewing Kerry's recent Senate record, I can think of only one descriptive term. AWOL!

[Puddleglum]

This is right up there with Kerrey and Hamilton having hairdresser appointments that kept them from hearing the Presidents testimony at the 9/11 commission.

I never heard that. I thought they had legit (well, semi-legit) functions to attend.

[river rat]

"Well, I actually supported this bill -- before I forgot to vote for it"....

"Those pesky Republicans turned my brains to $hit, and I forgot I actually had a job as Senator - and that I should vote on Bills that are part of my platform"....

"I'll ask Teresa -- my Financial Minister if she can take a few unemployed democrats home to raise"



Kerry is such a loser --- it pains me think about that clymer as Senator, and now I'm expected to think of him as President! No way.....Not possible.

Semper Fi

[Tamzee]

I just never realized that IQ's could go that low!

[mcshot]

Kerry has set a precedent in that future candidates will no longer have to resign to run for President.
In terms of his voting record. No Vote = No Harm.

mc

[SpinyNorman]

Kerry spokesman David Wade said, ``John Kerry has fought again and again to extend unemployment benefits for workers left behind in the Bush economy.

He didn't have to "fight" (another Vietnam reminder? Will he EVER get tired of that?) for these benefits, he merely had to show up for work, for which he is handsomely paid (by my standards, anyway) and VOTE!!!!

The Herald is right: Kerry is a stupid piece of crap that put his campaign ahead of his constituents. It was nice that this time, he screwed his Dem buddies.

[sr4402]

Upon reviewing Kerry's recent Senate record, I can think of only one descriptive term. AWOL!

AWOL is right. John just gave Bush another Ad.

Kerry blew it by asking for money after he slandered Bush with the abuse issues. I.E. 'give me money because Bush is bad', instead of showing himself better. He comes off looking worse.

The dems have to be crying about their candidate. If the Boston Globe is taking him to task at this point, they are crying.

Pray that Kerry's ego is really big and the dems and press keep supporting him to the election. May Kerry be stuck to Teddy Kennedy and Bill Clinton like glue so the American People can have a real vote this November.

[.cnI redruM]

States could put the kibosh on this. If state legislatures would pass a recall act stipulating that any individual representing their state in either house of congress had to be present for 80% of the votes taken in a calendar year. Or else, as of Jan 2 of the next year, they would be officially recalled and a special election would be held to replace them.

[savedbygrace]

They did. There were no hairdresser appointments for either of them. Hamilton had told the WH about his previous appointment in advance of the interrogation, but Kerrey's appointment went paws up, mostly, and he ended up in the Senate cloakroom, IIRC, talking with a couple of senators. Regardless, it's a lie about any hairdresser appointments.

[OldFriend]

On the contrary, it counted by preventing the budget deficit from expanding by billions of dollars.

Thank you, ketchup boy.

[mcshot]

Excellent idea. It it would only be implemented. Our system is being badly bent by liberal clowns like Kerry.

mc

[jmaroneps37]

lurch skipped this one but made a point of coming in to vote against the Unborn Victims of Violence Act Lacy and Connor's bill.
Oh how lurch loves partial birth abortion!
He is out of step with 80% of the country who told john zombie they think it should be a double murder when you kill a baby in a pregnant woman's womb.