Small news items 4/13/05

[TayTay]

Kerry to Visit House Democrats Wed.
Roll Call 04-12-2005 - Erin P. Billings

One-time Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. John Kerry (Mass.) will meet with House Democrats on Wednesday morning, his first session with the Caucus since he lost his bid for the White House last fall.

Leaders invited Kerry to be the featured guest at the weekly House Democratic Caucus gathering shortly after the Massachusetts Senator - viewed as a possible presidential candidate in 2008 - pledged to give House Democrats $500,000 and to raise an additional $500,000 for top-tier candidates this cycle.

One leadership aide noted that Kerry's visit is timely, given the Democrats' newly launched offensive against the GOP for going too far in the way it runs Congress.

[TayTay]

1. Interesting little meeting.

Check out who else is on the guest list:
House Democratic Caucus - Meeting
The Washington Daybook, Sec. General News Events - Update 04-12-2005


20050413

**New

TIME: 9 a.m.

EVENT: House Democratic Caucus holds a closed meeting on party matters.

AGENDA: Stakeout approved, outside 345 Cannon

PARTICIPANTS: Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass. and Wesley Clark

DATE: April 13, 2005

LOCATION: 345 Cannon House Office Building


Bet they're talking about Kerry's Military Families Bill of Rights. (Duh, TayTay,, what else.)

[BlueIris]

2. Thanks, TayTay!

It's good to keep up on Kerry's activities and to know he's still doing everything he can.

[karynnj]

3. How many Kerrys are there?

I'm becoming convinced that the Richard and Rosemary Kerry had identical twins in December 1943 and kept it a secret. That's how he seems to be everywhere doing so many things. Seriously, I wonder how long he can stay this focused and continue to make a difference.

[TayTay]

4. This is a completely fascinating story

Last year, the House Dems dissed the Kerry campaign many times and basically called it inept. They distanced themselves from Kerry. Bad thing, IMHO. Showed a lot of disrespect.

This year, Kerry gives them money. (Like giving a stray dog food, they tend to follow you home expecting more.) He gives them a lot of money, $500,000 and $500,000 more to come. (The House Dems have a deficit from last year of $3.5 mil. They need the help a lot. Shows respect on Kerry's part, no?)

Yesterday, Nancy Pelosi and Wes Clark hold a press conference and announce support for a 'GI Bill of Rights." Geez, this sounds familiar. Yesterday, Sen. Kerry introduces two amendments to the Senate Emergency Iraq Funding bill to up the death benefits for current service men KIA and to let families of KIA stay in military housing for up to one year. (from six months.)

Today, Sen. Kerry is INVITED by the same House Dems who dissed him last year to talk about Veteran's issues. And Wes Clark comes along. Damned interesting, don't you think. Something's up, right?

See the obvious. What the hell do you guys see in this. (Plainly. No fancy footwork on this one.)

Okay: What do YOU make of this? (No heavy lifting for TayTay today. She is tired.)

TayTay's Tea Leaves Shop and Emporium, now open for business. What will you have?

[blm]

6. Wes went WITH Kerry?

That sez to me that the two of them intend to move this country forward any way they can.

It also affirms the long friendship and alliance between them. It was discussed at some points that Kerry really favored Clark for VP. The Carville/Clinton contingent thought that Edwards was the best choice.

IMO, there were a few good choices, but, Clark would have been a great choice.

[sandnsea]

9. It's interesting

Wes was in Little Rock with Dean too.

I'm hoping I'm seeing a bit of team leadership work going on. We desperately need that. A little image control too, maybe.

Maybe the Congressional leadership realizes that they have to be out in front in order for people to recognize that they're doing something. Maybe there was too much focus on the DNC when McAuliffe was in charge, which gave the impression Congress wasn't doing anything.

Hard to say.

[ginnyinWI]

10. it's nice to see all of the Dem unity,

whatever it means. Now I wish DU would take the hint!

[TayTay]

5. Boston Globe Story on Vets Amendments filed 4/13/05

http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2005/04/13/kerry_pushes_military_initiative/

[cestpaspossible]

7. Will they invite me if I give them a half mil?

[TayTay]

8. Yup!

Damn straight they will. And put you up in a nice house in Georgetown. And give you keys to the good car, a full tank of gas and a full access pass to everyplace but the White House. Life would be good. (Take me with you.)