John Kerry: America Suffering From ‘Know-Nothingism’
- Posted on October 28, 2010 at 10:18pm by
Meredith Jessup
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BOSTON—Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry unleashed a broadside Thursday against Republican “obstructionism,” saying the GOP and its talk-show allies have created a “period of know-nothingism” in the country.
With his party braced for defeats in the midterm elections, the 2004 Democratic presidential nominee told the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce that a Republican machine — fueled by talk show hosts such as Rush Limbaugh and Glenn Beck — has undermined progress and misled the public into believing Democrats created the country’s current economic problems.
Kerry singled out attacks on an energy deal he was negotiating with Republicans, which fell apart amid criticism of an emissions-trading program. Some 20 Senate candidates are now opposing the proposed deal in their campaigns.
“It’s absurd. We’ve lost our minds,” said a clearly exasperated Kerry. “We’re in a period of know-nothingism in the country, where truth and science and facts don’t weigh in. It’s all short-order, lowest common denominator, cheap-seat politics.”
To underscore his claim, he said statistics show Republicans had blocked Senate business with filibuster tactics more during the past 18 months than the period between the end of World War I and the Apollo moon landing in 1969.
“The obstructionism is stunning,” Kerry said, noting the country still lacks an assistant treasury secretary. “I think America really needs to know more of this kind of tactic and how it’s shortchanging us.”
Limbaugh and Beck did not immediately respond to e-mails sent to the public addresses on their websites. The Republican National Committee also did not immediately respond to an e-mail or phone message left at its national media office.
The Massachusetts Republican Party accused Kerry of displaying “astonishing arrogance by shifting blame for the failed policies jammed down our throats by his party.”
Party Chairwoman Jennifer Nassour added in a statement: “Instead of listening to the concerns of voters upset about the reckless spending that has pushed our national debt to an all-time high; the failed stimulus that has not created jobs and the unpopular government takeover of our health care system that hurts our seniors, Senator Kerry chooses to insult the intelligence of Americans who believe that our country is headed down the wrong path.”
During his 45-minute speech, Kerry urged business leaders to support thoughtful candidates. And he urged voters to reject the ones who ignore facts.
He also urged federal support for clean energy and transportation projects, segueing to a defense of Boston’s nearly $15 billion Big Dig project to bury the city’s main highway in a series of tunnels. It took place over a decade while the city remained open for business.
“We’ve still got people complaining about the Big Dig, which, in the end, do I think it was over cost? Yes. Do I think it was well-managed? No. But in the end, 20 years from now, people are going to look back on it and they‘ll still say it was cheap for what we got and they’ll try to figure out how they can replicate it,” the senator said.
In addition, Kerry pointed out the $700 billion spent on the Troubled Asset Relief Program was requested by a Republican president, George W. Bush.
And he said $80 billion spent on the U.S. auto industry saved it, while the $787 billion economic stimulus program is creating jobs.
“It was not Barack Obama, it was not the Democratic Party. It was not us who asked for a bailout, or created the situation that required a bailout. And it was in response to a Republican president that a lot of Democrats stepped up,” he said.
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Comments (218)
snowleopard3200
Posted on October 28, 2010 at 10:49pmLet us examine one simple fact here that Mr Kerry fails to mention…the Democrats have a majority in the House and the Senate that is a super majority. Hmm, seems to me that there is no obstructions other than the Democrats themselves to be blocked by. Interesting is it not?
Mr Kerry get the facts straight and pay the taxes on the yacht like you were suppose to do.
http://www.artinphoenix.com/gallery/grimm (mix art)
Report Post »Diamondback
Posted on October 28, 2010 at 10:46pm“And he urged voters to reject the ones who ignore facts.”
John Kerry urged voters to reject demoncraps and progressives?????????????
I’m confused.
Report Post »flyguync
Posted on October 28, 2010 at 10:46pmIt’s interesting that Kerry points to the mediocre success of the “Big Dig” – as he says, it was over budget, mis-managed, and part of the roof caved in, killing people. I don’t think I would be touting that as an accomplishment.
It‘s almost as if he’s bragging on mediocrity.
Report Post »TruthTalker
Posted on October 28, 2010 at 10:46pmIt is absurd and yes, you have losts your mind. You are forcing common sense thinkers to become obstructionist to prevent those who have lost their minds from further ruining this country.
Report Post »catwilli
Posted on October 28, 2010 at 10:45pmWhere’s your yacht?
Report Post »Diamondback
Posted on October 28, 2010 at 10:44pmI thought we sent a message to this asshat a few years back that we didn’t want his opinion on anything?
Like Glenn says, “the progressives (aka COMMUNISTS) really do think we’re stupid and mindlessly follow anything we hear on talk radio or conservatively inclined TV.”
The real problem that’s bugging them is that talk radio and tv is EDUCATING the American people to the facts.
The light of truth makes the cockroaches scurry.
Bwahahahahahahahahahahaha
Report Post »PJPony
Posted on October 29, 2010 at 9:08amFor an interesting look at what is really going on and how they are doing it, you have to read this:
http://newzeal.blogspot.com/
Report Post »thepatriotdave
Posted on October 28, 2010 at 10:42pmRichardSaunders,
I also heard somewhere that he once served in Vietnam.
PatriotShops.com
Report Post »BRAVEHEART
Posted on October 28, 2010 at 10:41pmWhat part of DRAIN THE SWAMP do the people of Massachusetts not understand. Do these people actually have any concept of honor or integrity. Being represented by John Kerry and Barney Frank O! God ! my eyes ! my eyes.
Report Post »thepatriotdave
Posted on October 28, 2010 at 10:41pm“…he said statistics show Republicans had blocked Senate business with filibuster tactics more during the past 18 months than the period between the end of World War I and the Apollo moon landing in 1969.”
And I would like to thank the Republicans for all the blocking they did! They have done this country a huge favor and to be honest, its why they may win BIG on Tuesday. Our government works best for our people when it does the least for our people.
PatriotShops.com
Report Post »CaptainSpaulding
Posted on October 28, 2010 at 10:40pmWho keeps voting for this guy?????????????????????
Report Post »standswithafist
Posted on October 29, 2010 at 7:10amobviously those that have no functioning brain cells.
Report Post »REB182
Posted on October 28, 2010 at 10:39pmMassachusetts Sen. John Kerry, please keep talking….Us stupid people of the “know-nothingism crowd” are getting ready to pull the rug right out from under you. Better grab something so you don’t fall over and crack that big empty skull.
Report Post »thepatriotdave
Posted on October 28, 2010 at 10:37pmWhat a pathetic little man. (Here‘s hoping I didn’t insult any real men)
PatriotShops.com
Report Post »drbage
Posted on October 28, 2010 at 10:35pmI just don’t understand how anyone could possibly believe anything that comes out of the mouth of this tax-dodging, swiftboating, flip-flop king of arrogance and elitism.
Report Post »missionarydad
Posted on October 28, 2010 at 11:03pm…and he is the biggest hypocrite in the world well next to Al Gore, and Barack Obama. Hey what else do these guys all have in common? Answer 2000, 2004 and 2008, what a pathetic party!
Report Post »alcarfl
Posted on October 28, 2010 at 10:35pmThis guy is the poster boy for EVERYTHING that is wrong with Congress and the U.S. Senate. Elitist, New England, blue blood snob. Did I mention DICK? When does he run again? No one is immune from being voted out. No-body!
Report Post »GeeWhiz
Posted on October 28, 2010 at 10:35pmNo, before all of that it was all of the Democrats who came before who created our bastard of a budget and massive unfunded entitlement programs that have us on the verge of bankruptcy as a nation.
You want blame John, look at your craven and unethical self in the mirror. Yeah, YOU. Remember all of those bills that you voted for that put us deeper and deeper into the hole? Yeah, that‘s why we’re upset and done with the lot of you.
Seriously, you’re all fired. The first wave comes Tuesday. The second wave will come two years from now. Eventually all you‘re going to have left to do is write your uninteresting memoirs and perhaps rearranging your wife’s expensive shoe collection. You might want to consider taking up a hobby, you’re going to have a lot of free time on your hands.
Report Post »RamboTheDog
Posted on October 28, 2010 at 10:41pmAnd those who don’t stand up for America that win next Tue…you’ll be out with the rest of them in 2012. Progressivism must die.
Report Post »Psychosis
Posted on October 28, 2010 at 10:33pmlol i like his attempted dig about “science” as it pertains to global warming ( when his cap in trade attempt got shut down) and his ridiculous attempt to try to hold on to the scam…………wake up kerry your the dumb one in the room
Report Post »HillBillySam1
Posted on October 28, 2010 at 11:06pmHis cap-and-trade bill fell apart when the news leaked about Lindey Graham’s involvment in trying to hide a gas-tax hike in the bill. Graham got mad and backed out. Don’t you just love those “backroom” deals that all of our “thoughtful” officials try to pull.
Report Post »I kinda wish that I could see ‘ol Horse-mug Tuesday night and ask him “Dude, why the long face???”. Hee hee. I love that joke!
missionarydad
Posted on October 28, 2010 at 10:32pmDuring his 45-minute speech, Kerry urged business leaders to support thoughtful candidates. And he urged voters to reject the ones who ignore facts.
That is exactly what the business leaders and the voters are doing Senator and that is why your party is going to take the worst beating in political history.
Report Post »RichardSaunders
Posted on October 28, 2010 at 10:30pm“Know Nothing” … and John Kerry … in the same sentence. Of Course! John Kerry IS the “Know Nothing”… remember, he voted for it before voting against it … at least (maybe) he read it before voting. John Kerry is an embarrassment ..
Report Post »Iamtheoracle
Posted on October 28, 2010 at 10:30pmblah blah blah blame blame blame… I know plenty and it’s not about nothing-ism. Again this is just the politics of confusion. By amassing powers not legitimately theirs ( and now they have been caught in their lie) they have usurped this power – and slowly they have been strangling the liberties of the people.. continuing to stir up the masses in order to keep people confused and off balance and distracted from the truth…. shut up John Kerry – you are not even a good looking guy
Report Post »Max jones
Posted on October 29, 2010 at 1:32amORACLE…The entire progressive ‘plan of action’, is obfuscation, distraction and diversion, sort of a prestidigitation. Insidious and probably seditious. Any one who votes for any of these malefactors will share their perdition. AT least they will be exposed for the liars they are.
Report Post »sandman7545
Posted on October 29, 2010 at 2:40amLiberals are like your younger sibling. They keep pushing you and aggrivating you until finally you kick their little butts. Then they go cry to your parents and then you’re the one in trouble. Pass it on lol.
Report Post »seeker9
Posted on October 28, 2010 at 10:30pmHe should do his patriotic duty and spread his wealth around. At least donate his unfair Bush tax cuts from the last ten years. Obscene!
Report Post »drbage
Posted on October 28, 2010 at 10:40pmHe is the epitome of wealthy, liberal elites touting the wonders of wealth redistribution while keeping all his money to himself and his friends. Notice how he didn’t come to the defense of his good friend Teddy, when the peanut farmer slammed him for being the one who blocked Cartercare. Wonder if he has Spooky Dude and Maurice Strong on his Blackberry, too?
Report Post »dontbotherme
Posted on October 28, 2010 at 10:29pmHe’s an expert on know-nothing-ism.
Report Post »eteme
Posted on October 28, 2010 at 10:29pmAll the Anger all the rage….Barrhar!!…Just keep rage’in Desperation sets in..Rage
It’s getting HOT! HOT! HOT!
Report Post »Ironmaan
Posted on October 28, 2010 at 10:29pmThis guy is the epitome of arrogance and elitism.
Report Post »Ironmaan
Posted on October 28, 2010 at 10:52pmAnd another thing…this guy has produced nothing of value in his life. He has sucked off the teet of the state his entire “working” life. Please just go away you parasite.
Report Post »Independantthinker
Posted on November 1, 2010 at 1:03amDoes he forget that the dems have had control for 4 years now and they have done only stupid things so far.
Report Post »DaddyoRightWingNut
Posted on October 28, 2010 at 10:29pmWhat a Buffoon!
Report Post »CatB
Posted on October 28, 2010 at 11:07pmThey are mad that we are paying attention and know EXACTLY what they are TRYING to do. We are taking the country back from these country club elites .. and they don’t like it …TOO BAD!
Report Post »Bluebonnet
Posted on October 30, 2010 at 10:25amWhen I hear John Kerry’s name I immediately think “flip-flopper”- A man who served in Vietnam 4 Mo. and shot himself to get out of there and apply for metals, that was after he claimed to be in Cambodia while the war was going in Nam. Then he threw his metals over the fence at the W.H. (not his own), then when he kissed his wife on stage during a campaign, she turned her head (hummmm), kinda like when Algore planted a long passionate kiss on his wife and the body language said “trouble in paradise”….that took 10 years but they split while he was getting massage therapists to come to his room and tried to pounce on them. These politicians are a bunch of freaks.
Report Post »It’s all about THEM, not about the USA. Who keeps voting these freaks in office? Not me.
BoiseBaked
Posted on October 30, 2010 at 10:52amCan someone tell what Kerry knows about truth and science? He was for truth ansd science before he was against it.
Report Post »spreadcommonsensenot pc
Posted on October 28, 2010 at 10:27pmprogressivism SUCKS AND MUST DIEEEEEEEEEeeeeeee, they are tearing apart America.
Report Post »nazi turds………….
ME
Posted on October 28, 2010 at 10:49pmnow don’t hold back, tell me how you really feel:)
Report Post »what4
Posted on October 28, 2010 at 10:50pmJohn Kerry, you think this is bad…..Your Next Mr Nothing!
Report Post »Polwatcher
Posted on October 29, 2010 at 10:40amWhy don’t you say what you really mean.
Report Post »