John Kerry on The Situation Room from Jerusalem - Transcript (video soon)

[kerrygoddess]

John Kerry on The Situation Room from Jerusalem
January 17, 2006

A while ago, I posted that John Kerry would be doing a live interview with Wolf Blitzer on the Situation Room. Kerry is in the midst of a tour of the Middle East and held a press conference earlier today in Jerusalem.

I’ve just received a copy of the transcript (from Kerry's office) of the CNN interview and a video (QuickTime) is on the way…

BLITZER: Senator Kerry, thanks very much for joining us. Welcome back to “The Situation Room,” this time from Jerusalem. We’ve got a lot of ground to cover right now.

Let’s talk, first of all, about your trip over the weekend to Pakistan. What did officials there tell you about this U.S. air strike that targeted the number two Al Qaida leader, Ayman al-Zawahiri?

KERRY: Well, obviously, they were very concerned about the loss of life, as are we, of any innocent civilian. But on the other hand, they were also clear that it was their belief there were foreign intruders in that particular target area. So they understood what we were trying to accomplish, and I think they were trying very hard to make the best out of a bad situation.

BLITZER: Do you have any problem with the U.S. government targeting Al Qaida leaders for assassination in third countries?

KERRY: Well, first of all, assassination is a questionable term when you consider that we have been chasing these people and fundamentally at war with them since they attacked us in New York City on September 11th. And we have a joint agreement with the Pakistanis, thanks to their cooperation in that war which is at some risk to them and to President Musharraf, for the ability to do what — you know, hot pursuit, if you want to call it that.

MORE - http://blog.thedemocraticdaily.com/?p=1680

[kerrygoddess]

1. Video's uploaded

There's a 3 part video of JK on the Situation Room uploaded in QuickTime.

http://blog.thedemocraticdaily.com/?p=1680

Part 1 - the interview
Part 2 - on Gore's speech
Part 3 - on Hillary's "plantation" attack on the Bush and the GOP House

[karynnj]

2. Kerry covered so many issues in this interview - he was great

It will be interesting to see what he does with all the information from this trip when he gets back on Thursday.

[ohtransplant]

3. Great responses by the Senator.

I was going to say good interview but Wolfie was clearly laying land mines for him. He even opened the interview by saying something about Dems "piling on".

That said Senator Kerry was clear, direct and supported his fellow Dems

BTW, Have any other Dems come out to support Al Gore's speech?

[kerrygoddess]

6. JK handled Wolf very well

It really was a great interview. He's obviously so knowledged on what is going on over there.

[ProSense]

7. Thank for posting the video! n/t

[snot]

4. self-deleted

[karynnj]

5. kick