General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: What the hell is wrong with John Kerry? [View all]karynnj
(59,536 posts)To me the actual Kerry comment sounds like Kerry was asked and answered as innocuously as possible. TPM, maybe frustrated with other Democrats who actually said it was a problem, lumped Kerry with them - and were especially aggravated because Kerry is Kerry.
In a statement, Kerry said, "I think the Administration is working towards a final rule that reflects a reasonable compromise. I think there's a way to protect everybody's interest here. I think you can implement it effectively in a way that protects women's access, but at the same time protects people's religious beliefs, and that should be everyones goal."" (from TPM)
As Biden was already saying that he was working on a compromise - and that Obama agreed, what Kerry did was to not undercut the President. Kerry is NOT saying he is against the rule, nor is he suggesting any specific compromise. He is simply being diplomatic - and answering the question honestly. As it is, from his "I think the administration" he is clearly implying that he does not even know for a fact that is a compromise, much less what it is. Not knowing that, he is NOT saying he is for the specific compromise offered. Given that a compromise was in the works, although I know that it would make Kerry more popular here, would it help Obama if Kerry rejected the idea out of hand that there should be any compromise?
I suspect that he, far more than most, understands the political minefield that Obama has to work around. The issue is likely not Massachusetts, but Ohio and Pennsylvania, where the margins are not huge for Obama and where this could be voting issue. The poll that Lawrence O'Donnell showed showed that when the question was asked referring to Catholic organizations it split 49/51 with Catholic voter. That is not good, but what is worse is that it could be that the RI, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Jersey Catholics are not bothered by it - making the numbers look better nationwide than they would in states like Ohio and Pennsylvania.