John Kerry's Senate Floor Speech

[No Limit]

I've taken quite a bit of time off from this board so hopefully I'll be back.

Today Kerry gave an amazing speech on what is wrong with this country and the partisan politics that are destroying it. Since the media won't report it might as well post it here. Even if you don't like Kerry please take a minute to read this, he makes very good points.

http://www.lightupthedarkness.org/blog/default.asp?view=plink&id=764

Mr. President, the Republican "nuclear option" has been discussed endlessly on editorial pages, talk radio, and in this chamber. This ongoing debate is about much more than Senate procedure. At its core it's a debate about where we're headed and what kind of nation we want to become. And beneath it are questions about Washington , which seems headed in a direction that clashes with the will of the American people.

The fact we even are talking about this issue is a stark reminder that Washington is not fighting for the broad interests of the American people. From the outside looking in, our Democracy appears broken - endangered by one party rule intent on amassing power, often at the expense of real work the American people elected us to do.

In recent weeks alone we have witnessed as disturbing a course of events as I have ever seen in this city. Republican leaders of Congress are crossing lines that should never be crossed:

The line that says a leader in the House of Representatives should never carelessly threaten or intimidate federal judges.

The line that says the leader of the Senate should never accuse those who disagree with his political tactics of waging a war against people of faith.

The line that says respect for core constitutional principles should never be undermined by a political party's quest for power.

Most important of all, the line that says a political party's leaders should never let their thirst for power overshadow the needs and interests of those who elected them - the American people.

It's almost hard to believe that in a Congress where leaders of both parties once worked together to find common ground despite ideological differences, we face this moment at all.

What does it tell you when an embattled House Majority Leader is willing to go on talk radio and attack a Supreme Court Justice, let alone one appointed by Ronald Reagan and confirmed by a nearly unanimous Senate? A justice who ruled in favor of President Bush in Bush v. Gore. Ronald Reagan's nominee to the highest court in the land can't even escape Tom DeLay's partisan assaults, and yet here on the floor of the Senate there's no outcry - no moderating Republican voice willing to say this shocking attack has no place in our democracy.

I guess none of this should be a surprise - not after we learned what the Majority leader has planned this Sunday. The Majority Leader plans to headline a religious service devoted to defeating, I quote, a "filibuster against people of faith." When the Leader of the Senate questions the faith of any Senator who opposes his procedural changes to Senate, he goes beyond endangering rules that protect the cherished rights of the minority in our democracy.

 

[Sprafa]

USA politics suckido

John Kerry is no different from 10% of Dems. If he was in power the Republicans would be doing that speech. Glad that he did tho.

 

[No Limit]

USA politics suckido

John Kerry is no different from 10% of Dems. If he was in power the Republicans would be doing that speech. Glad that he did tho.

Did you actually read the entire thing? It points out exactly how crazy and outregeous american politics have become.

 

[Sprafa]

Did you actually read the entire thing? It points out exactly how crazy and outregeous american politics have become.

Exactly. He inflated it now he's hypocritically trying to flat it out by doing speeches ? He's pleasing the crowds, nothing else.

How about "NO" ?

 

[Bodacious]

I think democrats are upset they are losing power, especially if this "nuclear option" goes through, they might as well be castrated.

 

[jondy]

I think democrats are upset they are losing power, especially if this "nuclear option" goes through, they might as well be castrated.

Wow, you really did ignore the whole speech.

 

[Farrowlesparrow]

Its not always about whats being said, its why its being said.

 

[Sprafa]

Its not always about whats being said, its why its being said.

exactly my point.

Although you should explain yourself :frog:

 

[Bodacious]

Wow, you really did ignore the whole speech.

That or you being from Europe you have no idea what is going on as far as American politics is concerned, rending your opionon moot.

I choose the latter.


Kerry's speech(in reference to the "nuclear option") is nothing but a bitch fit. The democrats fillibustering judicial nominees is not what was intended.

 

[gcomeau]

I think democrats are upset they are losing power, especially if this "nuclear option" goes through, they might as well be castrated.

No... whoever is the minority in the government by ANY MARGIN might as well be castrated, and never mind if they represent 49% of the country.

I can't believe some people are so incredibly short sighted. Do you know the one sure thing in a democracy like the U.S.? When one party starts pushing an advantage too hard to try to force through their agenda there will eventually be a social backlash and the other party will be put in power.

And when that happens if this moronic "nuclear option" goes through not only will the Republicans be incapable of preventing an absolute avalanche of "liberal" judges from being appointed no matter how slim the democratic majority might be... but they won't even be able to complain about it because they'll be the ones who loaded the gun and put it to their own head.

The whole point of the governmental system that was established in the U.S. was to provide some measure of checks and balances. Some equilibrium between opposing viewpoints WHOEVER might be in power at any one particular time. And now you want to pull out the stops and make it so every time political sentiment in the country tips even the slightest in one direction over the other the figurative scale for that side hits the bottom so hard the poor people on the other end are tossed right off their asses.... until the sentiment tips back the other way in reaction by even the slimmest margin... and the governing officials bring a ****ing carnival sledgehammer down on the other end of the scale to send it rocking back that way again.

Brilliant.

 

[Direwolf]

While I hardly think that Kerry's been the only one to express such frustration, I have to agree with him. His motives for saying so are certainly suspect, but I figure giving him the benefit of the doubt won't kill anyone.

And gcomeau is right: theres gonna be backlash agains the republicans (there already is in fact) if they press too hard. The three sections of government have to keep a careful balance to stop extremism from creeping in.

 

[Hapless]

Meh, he'll change his mind tomorrow... :cheese:

 

[No Limit]

That or you being from Europe you have no idea what is going on as far as American politics is concerned, rending your opionon moot.

I choose the latter.


Kerry's speech(in reference to the "nuclear option") is nothing but a bitch fit. The democrats fillibustering judicial nominees is not what was intended.

Can you tell me why the republicans should use the "nuclear option". I hope that you read the speech though as what you will say to this has probably already been refuted by Kerry in the speech.

 

[GhostBoi]

Hmm, know I like John Kerry more than ever before, when he was running for president I just thought he was a little better than Bush, but now I am beginning to respect him a whole lot more.

 

[jondy]

That or you being from Europe you have no idea what is going on as far as American politics is concerned, rending your opionon moot.

I choose the latter.

Of course you did When you insult someone with big words, spell them right, eh

It's actually in my interest to keep up with what your country is up to, as you have an huge impact upon international affairs and Britain is inextricably linked with American culture.

sorry for the off topic

Not sure about this one. He's an eloquent man, and had courage enough to do this at least; he has the right idea

 

[Incitatus]

oh it's so funny, and sad, seeing people who have no idea discussing politics especially political institutions.

this post is directed at everyone in this thread and john kerry

 

[Farrowlesparrow]

Sprafa I'd explain my comment but that wasn't my reason for posting it. I'l at least say this. I was more directing the comment at Jondy, simply as something to think about about. So the explanation of what I said is really up to whoever reads it.

oh it's so funny, and sad, seeing people who have no idea discussing politics especially political institutions.

this post is directed at everyone in this thread and john kerry

You know what else is funny...Beans, and all the hot air they're blowing out of every orifice of your body, you arrogant melon.

 

[Scoobnfl]

If the democrats had not misused and abused the filibuster we would not be having this discussion. Leave it to the Dems to abuse power and cry "abuse of power" over proposed steps to curtail their abuse of power.

 

[diluted]

Republicans are gonna miss the filibuster when they find themselves in a Washington that's controlled by liberal Dems. It probably won't happen in '08, but eventually Republicans will lose their grip on Washington and Democrats will be the majority again. And Republicans will have no one to blame but themselves for screwing them over.

 

[Incitatus]

The filibuster is an unintentional consequence of an outdated legislative system and is inherently undemocratic I don't care if it's smart to remove it or not, it has no place in a democratic system.

 

[kmack]

If the democrats had not misused and abused the filibuster we would not be having this discussion. Leave it to the Dems to abuse power and cry "abuse of power" over proposed steps to curtail their abuse of power.

after what happened in the schiavo case you better not even think you can say that sh*t about the dems and not about the republicans. The dems abusing power in comparison to the republicans ya :hmph: .

It was a very good speech, and outlined many problems we face. I think our only hope is independents or people who arent dug in on party lines (mccain and giulliane (sp lol) ) that and a president who isnt a complete assclown (oh ya, i went there).

 

[No Limit]

If the democrats had not misused and abused the filibuster we would not be having this discussion. Leave it to the Dems to abuse power and cry "abuse of power" over proposed steps to curtail their abuse of power.

Can you give me an example of this abuse? Again, if you had actually read what I posted you would know this stupid claim is not accurate.

 

[satch919]

I got an e-mail from his site yesterday. It was a video of him making this speech. Good stuff. But unfortunately, he doesn't have enough power to get a lot done. He should have been our President.

On another note, I'll be posting an article that I read in a magazine that talks about our debt and how this current Administration is not fiscally responsible like they claim to be. Keep you eyes open for the thread, it'll probably be up later this morning.

 

[Ennui]

YUO NOT ALLOWED TO TALK!

is now conjoined with Bodacious's "opionon"

YUO NOT ALLOWED TO OPIONON!

 

[No Limit]

I got an e-mail from his site yesterday. It was a video of him making this speech. Good stuff. But unfortunately, he doesn't have enough power to get a lot done. He should have been our President.

Can you please post the link to the video? I've been looking all over Cspan and the senate site and can't find it. Thanks.

 

[satch919]

Can you please post the link to the video? I've been looking all over Cspan and the senate site and can't find it. Thanks.

Sure. http://www.johnkerry.com/action/valuesvideo/ See if that works. :thumbs:

 

[No Limit]

Sure. http://www.johnkerry.com/action/valuesvideo/ See if that works. :thumbs:

Cool, thanks. However, I was looking for the actual senate floor speech.

 

[KoreBolteR]

i wanted him to win the last election..

but bush won, and the troops are still in iraq, thats the way things go, and im gonna keep on supporting the coalition over there.

john kerry would make a good president imo..

 

[ComradeBadger]

Nice speach, and interesting too - partisan politics suck.

Although I agree that whoever lost would be making this kind of speech.

 

[satch919]

Cool, thanks. However, I was looking for the actual senate floor speech.

That I do not have. Sorry.

 

[Absinthe]

Nice speach, and interesting too - partisan politics suck.

Although I agree that whoever lost would be making this kind of speech.

Really? I doubt this speech would have existed if there wasn't so much crap about DeLay.

We're innocent until proven guilty, so all this "Oh, the Dems would be abusing their power if they won" crap really doesn't fly. At all. In fact, it only demonstrates how partisan some people are. Rather than admit that there's a problem (regardless of who is in power), people would prefer to say "You'd be just as corrupt and bad as us!".

 

[No Limit]

Although I agree that whoever lost would be making this kind of speech.

But look, you guys ar completely missing the point of the speech. This is not about who has more control, this about Republicans spending all their time on trying to gain more power by blocking the filibuster when there is absolutely no reason for it. They spend all their time on this and on the partisan attacks but won't actually concentrate on the issues that are actually important to the people. Pay attention to the part about partisan attacks, this is a good quote:

What does it tell you when an embattled House Majority Leader is willing to go on talk radio and attack a Supreme Court Justice, let alone one appointed by Ronald Reagan and confirmed by a nearly unanimous Senate? A justice who ruled in favor of President Bush in Bush v. Gore. Ronald Reagan's nominee to the highest court in the land can't even escape Tom DeLay's partisan assaults, and yet here on the floor of the Senate there's no outcry - no moderating Republican voice willing to say this shocking attack has no place in our democracy.

I guess none of this should be a surprise - not after we learned what the Majority leader has planned this Sunday. The Majority Leader plans to headline a religious service devoted to defeating, I quote, a "filibuster against people of faith." When the Leader of the Senate questions the faith of any Senator who opposes his procedural changes to Senate, he goes beyond endangering rules that protect the cherished rights of the minority in our democracy.

This has nothing to do with him bitching about democrats not winning; this is about unfair partisan attacks and partisan politics in general.

 

[Bodacious]

This has nothing to do with him bitching about democrats not winning; this is about unfair partisan attacks and partisan politics in general.

Welcome to life.

Better luck in '06 and '08. Wiat, not really.

Can you tell me why the republicans should use the "nuclear option"

The reason why is whatever Frist says it is.

 

[Bodacious]

YUO NOT ALLOWED TO TALK!

is now conjoined with Bodacious's "opionon"

YUO NOT ALLOWED TO OPIONON!

I wonder how many people on this forum follow me around to make snide comments toward me? At least one, for sure.

 

[Absinthe]

I wonder how many people on this forum follow me around to make snide comments toward me? At least one, for sure.

Please. For any one snide comment directed towards you, you make up for it with about 10 flamebaiting and provocative posts.

Better luck in '06 and '08. Wiat, not really.

Oh wait! You've missed the point! Again!

 

[No Limit]

Welcome to life.

Better luck in '06 and '08. Wiat, not really.




The reason why is whatever Frist says it is.

ok, forget it, I thought that we can actually have a good discussion on this but you aren't even willing to try.

If anyone else is actually interested in defending the nuclear option please read the speech and reply.

 

[kmack]

Welcome to life.

Better luck in '06 and '08. Wiat, not really.

wiat,
i don't think you are quite getting this...
good try though

I wonder how many people on this forum follow me around to make snide comments toward me? At least one, for sure.

i wonder how many times you (in this case double) post pointless, off topic nonsense? at least one, for sure.

 

[Bodacious]

ok, forget it, I thought that we can actually have a good discussion on this but you aren't even willing to try.

If anyone else is actually interested in defending the nuclear option please read the speech and reply.

Good discussion about what? You complaining about Republicans being partisan?

Patisanship is a part of politics. When democrats were in power they changed the rules. Why is it such a big deal that republicans are changing them? It is not. Thats life. Besides, changing the rules of the senate is a constitutionally protected right. Article 1 section 5.

Don't think it is whining and complaining? Prove me otherwise.

 

[Korgoth]

Abusing powers, and defeating and circumventing measures put in place by the founding fathers of this nation, and the system of checks and balances there in is not partisan politics, its treason to the American institution.

 

[Bodacious]

Abusing powers, and defeating and circumventing measures put in place by the founding fathers of this nation, and the system of checks and balances there in is not partisan politics, its treason to the American institution.

Yah, the democrats threatening to halt all legislation isn't right is it?
/sarcasm


Go read the constitution, article 1 section 5. The senate makes its own rules. Republicans are in the majority. Majority rule. They represent the majority of the nation. They represent the majority of the people's wants.

It is not abusing powers, it is within the measures put in place by the founding fathers. Article 1, secition 5.