Congressmen want Kerry’s 2008 decision soon
Southcoast Today
WASHINGTON — Sen. Edward Kennedy isn’t the only Massachusetts Democrat pressing Sen. John Kerry for a decision soon on whether he will seek the presidency again.
Two leading members of the state’s congressional delegation said they’re also anxious for Kerry to make up his mind, so they can support someone else if he decides not to run.
“My only advice to him right now is hurry up,” said Rep. James McGovern, D-Mass., who will be a prominent player in the new Congress as the second-ranking Democrat on the powerful House Rules Committee. “Give us some direction so we can figure out what we need to do. If he’s not going to do it, then we can start dealing with some of these other candidates.”
McGovern noted how the Democratic field has grown in recent weeks.
Rep. Michael Capuano, D-Mass., who is leading the day-to-day transition effort for incoming House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, said Kerry needs to clarify his plans soon.
“I want to hear it from him, whatever it is,” said Capuano, who hopes to meet with Kerry next week. “I want him to look me in the eye … I’m tired of listening to rumors, if you want the truth … I just think if he wants to run, he’s gotta do it reasonably soon.”
“Senator Kerry has said he’ll make his decision about a presidential campaign shortly after the new year after consulting with Sen. Kennedy and the congressional delegation,” Kerry spokesman David Wade said in an e-mailed statement. “We’re well over a year away before the first ballots are cast in the 2008 nominating process, but Sen. Kerry has no intention of waiting too long on his decision.”
Delegation members are eager for Kerry’s decision so they can line up behind someone else if he declines to run, McGovern said. Some have already been asked to back potential Kerry rivals.
“All of us are waiting to find out what our friend is going to decide,” McGovern said. “If he’s not going to be involved, we want to be able to get our oar in the water (with other candidates) … In presidential politics, people take sides early. People want permission to leave and go support someone else.”
McGovern said he, too, had spoken informally with some potential candidates.
“A lot of people are really intrigued with some of the names that are coming up,” said McGovern, citing New York Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, Illinois Sen. Barack Obama and Kerry’s 2004 running mate, former North Carolina Sen. John Edwards. “We have some great talent that is talking about getting into this race.”
Wild Thing’s comment…..
God hlep us and God Help America IF these people Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, Sen. Barack Obama, Sen. John Edwards , Biden etc. become President or ANY Democrat. They do NOT respect our military, they do NOT want to keep the citizens of this country safe. And that is just for starters on only a few of the things. They are the enemy within.
We have enough trouble getting our leaders now to realize open borders are dangerous to say the least. Can you imagine what it would be like if we had a Democrat in the White House again. OMG!
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