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Kennedy on politics and the economy

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Play from 3:42[3:42] ..." Men Barack Obama as the program and that is very report fifth we have to understand how -- the Federal Reserve is going at the"...

Play from 11:33[11:33] ..." them up to a criteria so that they can graduates from that high school. And in higher education bill we also now that we had three colleges in this country. That provided training programs for --"...

Play from 16:13[16:13] ..." make a critical and final judgment decision that's true in Pennsylvania -- Barack Obama wins the Pennsylvania primary. Unlikely unlikely but if he wins at this race is all of well he he he should win"...

Play from 23:02[23:02] ..." that philosophically is not the differences that existed in past campaigns of Barack Obama could bruised by his preacher. Well I think he wouldn't say yes it is to some extent I think. Most people thought"...

Play from 26:05[26:05] ..." think it's possible to go back that you can't go to a Barack Obama a rally cannot see the faces particularly the of the young. Who have been turned off by division by special interest and"...

Play from 27:37[27:37] ..." presidential politics is one -- only going to read verbatim. Why would senator Obama not be talking to -- the vice presidential candidate nominee and let Hillary return now. But sort it was a little difficult to follow that it would open wide his -- the question is harper. Okay -- the someone in the audience look and feel that this is Hillary Clinton's term you will actually and with a question like the Barack Obama. -- candidate and should not be brought to accept the vice presidential nomination. And allow Hillary Clinton to have. -- turned --"...

Play from 29:15[29:15] ..." in the presidential campaigns with our colleagues had John Kerry and and Al Gore look at the -- of the closest that president Kennedy in 1968 so we have rules and we have a process and"...

Play from 0:00[0:00]" Senator the latest you can join us this morning thank you group here tonight. You're very generous with -- time we've got about forty sevens and if you want to cover and listen to flaunt its but actually four different areas reelected disgusted with the -- senator. Presidential politics obviously is -- and hold up a little bit the war in Iraq all of these things have a sense of urgency. But probably nothing more urgent than what I had to -- to follow my -- last night -- gasoline the whole economic crisis in this country number one do you agree. We are in fact in recession. Yes yes by whatever definition 46 questions ago who. You have never answered no one -- word answer in real life at -- I've been to view this man over forty plus years I've got us there and who's going to get out of his first of all let me."

Play from 0:53[0:53]" Thank you very much a big for Gary Lapierre has taken a a short recess for retirement. The united started with -- radiant politics forty odd years ago and he's retired I hope he's not sending a message to. The settlement. I'm delighted to have a chance to be within -- within rated WBZ is I think for all of us the flagship radio stations and hear it New England their news programs programs that all of us whether we're in the senator. In the business they care about our communities are constantly in touch with find out what's going on. In Massachusetts and then -- and so I'm very honored. And appreciative for the opportunity to be here interesting foreman appreciate all of -- patience and getting us here -- this morning first of bull on the economy this was a predictable that housing bubble was predictable more predictable and certain parts the country to another cut parts of the nation. Does in different parts of the nation was going up bubble was going up virtually out of control Ben Bernanke became the head of the Federal Reserve was asked whether we're facing any problems he said no he made a mistake on that I think there was no question now that. The most economists believe that the Federal Reserve should have. Given a warning to the poll by credit industry about the -- kinds of activities and certainly alerted the American people to the potential danger I think from. Probably it was a missed opportunity number want. A number two as a matter of national policy we have to do what is best to try to keep people again -- polls that is as an essential thirdly we will we have to do is to understand that we have to try and create a regulatory system that is going to deal with the predatory practices of the credit industry and also the financial industries a new innovative kind of ways of creating a different entities which are outside transparency in many ways in -- ball people two savings and homes in waves Richard greatly a threat. A fourth I do think that the suggestion that has been made up by the principal candidates in this part of the democratic program permit the judges and bankruptcy greater flexibility to be able to deal. With homeownership for giving them greater opportunity of flexibility to help people to maintain their own homes is enormously important. It's part of the closely and could."

Play from 3:42[3:42]" Men Barack Obama as the program and that is very report fifth we have to understand how -- the Federal Reserve is going at the present time they have left the the billions of dollars to Bear Stearns and they are also in the what they call them. Discount window letting billions of dollars or do other investment houses no one knows how much. No one has any idea no -- in this. Room could give you a an answer to the amount of it be kept mr. -- up -- the joint economic committee on on Wednesday well I'll be there asking questions about it. How much money has actually been let and what is the kind of guarantees for the American people that this is going to get repaid. But what are the conditions. And we ought to know that and at the same a -- This at the same time. -- the administration is moving ahead in terms of supporting the investment houses. There's very little degree of support for people that are being adversely impact impact. Administration has opposed the extension of the unemployment compensation now we have for people that have been searching for jobs they have a higher rate of unemployment that at any time in the last when he ideas for people unemployment compensation some additional kind of help probably include stamps and something that we all understand even at this time of the season home heating oil which is who can be used he can make an enormous difference. Too many people in the Greater Boston area as we -- from the Menino outreach which Wright was enormously impressed by is listening session. That too many people are back home wondering if they pay their heating bill repayment mortgage. And if they end up they're paying a mortgage is to get children effective at turning the -- down. If they miss avenue mortgage -- family of four is made homeless coarsely the state of Massachusetts 32000 dollars. So for us -- small investment in terms of home heating oil which. But the congress had been on record odd support this administration has cut back cut. That we can make major difference in maintaining people in their homes. These are some of the the ideas is an overrule regulatory proposal that's before the congress. And now it's complicated it's going to be reviewed. About all of us in the in the in the Senate but these at least some of the ideas the but the presence on the Washington straighten this out correct they have to be a part of it but it's going to have to be work out I think you found out like yesterday with Tom Menino. Visiting with local community communities there has to be worked out in local areas and communities panel be resolved. In terms of the Washington DC their real families real homes that are losing and or there -- parade route wide variety of different arrangements. Trying to help those that families that is a great deal more than has to be done in terms of transparency. Yeah in terms of people knowing of what they are getting into that's obvious as well they too often now people don't understand are unaware as to what they're getting. I signed up for. And it -- really buyer beware and we can deal with that we should -- people ought to be treated fairly and they're not for what could we get what did we get into with the -- turn things. The that set a bad precedent the -- that's been well. The not. It necessarily not necessarily I mean if we have the collapse of these investment. Houses there that has enormous kinds of adverse impact in terms the economy it'll spill itself out in affecting middle income people of working families -- important but important way. But we have to understand what is that whether the conditions that are could be placed the public has to understand. How there investments are going to be actually be protected we have seen other times when the federal government is invested end in -- various project of the automobile industry for example that they had completely cut repaid for all of this their investment in terms of saving an automobile industry probably twenty years ago and -- hundreds of probably millions of jobs and saved hundreds of thousands of middle income families in terms of their -- economic future it's it's bad what has happened it could have been avoided if they had a hands off attitude in the administration this is basically administration and we've seen it either Katrina and -- others that they've refused to have. A pro active kind of a policy that was going to. A look said signals to the credit industry tolerated predatory practices in the accredited history. And the had too many families are paying the price but we need now is both C a reforms which and number have been suggested. Some of which the administration has suggested most feel that those -- more technical and administrative rather than substantive but this is the of the economy has exceeded all our hopes and dreams it's the most is significant social policy. What many of us myself included care about education care about health care care about jobs care about the environment. But unless you happy sound economy and one that is going to treat people who clearly nothing else works that is the key. That's where we have to focus that's what we have to get things."

Play from 9:07[9:07]" One test question on education if you and I notes topic of viewers from many many years no child left behind her very much part of that just recently by the way Hillary Clinton voted for that as well I'm told and just recently the former president. Call the whole thing a train wreck and basically said it was your fault just -- yeah. Under -- we've supported president the just very quickly is that a train --"

Play from 9:38[9:38]" Nobody it needs a lot of help on the night. I can leave it there because the concept just let me give achieved very very quickly. One who is the contrived yet accountability in terms of every child that's the basic theme of we had accountability for schools so that they would know that schools -- how they are doing in some instances yet accountability for classes but we ready never knew about our child was doing. The basic concept behind there was two concept the display outside. One was going to be reform in the second resources you can't have reform unless you every sources you have to have the investment. In order to make these are reforms work and these with the essential kinds of elements today first you're going to have a well trained teachers in every classroom in America number 12 you're going to have smaller class size so we're talking anywhere from fifteen to eighteen children in a class so apparent. Who who is heavy teaching children every single day has to be much more than -- As to be a mother caretaker -- trying to deal with -- these children. You have to have well trained teachers you have to have smaller class size. You have to have parental and call an engagement so that they understand what's happening in in this fit in the schools you have to have afterschool programs to help and assist the of the children as 70% of the problems of youth violence all comes in 70% the."

Play from 11:05[11:05]" Unintended pregnancies all come between three and the afternoon six there. -- have to and schools. We get in Massachusetts we have a 1300000 children. We provide after school programs of one former Granada for 300000 of those as a million that don't don't see -- And that's that's another issue and another time and and and beyond all of that you have to have special program. To help and assist those children that are disabled. To bring them up to a criteria so that they can graduates from that high school. And in higher education bill we also now that we had three colleges in this country. That provided training programs for -- for children children that are disabled but now we open that up to over a hundred on this. And you also have to have a program for limited English speakers. Those were all the elements in the no child and accountability to find out and make sure that that package is working. Now if you don't get to the smaller class size and you don't get the support to the teachers. And you don't involve parents and you don't have the after school programs. And you don't provide help and assistance to these children. And you raise the standard you're going to get a breakdown of the system that's what you have today that has to be altered and changed but the concept. The concept happy -- the idea of understanding how your child is doing that true aren't aware of this and that you can participate as a parent. It's something which that is enormously important final point. -- Massachusetts as the number one school in the country in the sooners were number one for fourth graders in terms of all the four for math and reading -- 48 graders in the country number one. I mean it can be done Massachusetts has done that part of this is because we started the programs appear with the school reform program that have restarted with -- are Roosevelt others a number of years ago we get good headstart on this. And we are seeing the disparity with children that -- minority children African American children Hispanic children. Pat Reid had had the greatest progress of any state in the country in regency. The disparity in those children. So at this beat this this concepts is one that is valuable. And want to be -- supported but that you can't just continue the program at the."

Play from 13:36[13:36]" At at at at the but the president took time that it is true that said the Clinton did is supportive but I'd -- the I'm not. Backing away from the basic concept. I am that regretful that this administration that -- be disbanded the final editorial note I have so it would have really so surprised at that President Bush didn't support this program did this could have been a monumental. Monumental achievement and accomplishment for this administration this -- done in education what Lyndon Johnson I did for Medicare. No question about it and the possibilities of doing it and for a few billion dollars -- few billion thousands of is is not insignificant but when you're you're talking about a three trillion dollar budget. Not to be able to find ten -- fifteen billion dollars. How I can give you that you chapter virtually could -- that the the drop -- and not to do that and to back away because he didn't want to be proceed is spending just to evacuate. From of the children's health which is absolutely crazy is is really I find a regrettable. Let's talk presidential promises."

Play from 14:58[14:58]" Few Democrats who would do what it's like -- That's quite a bit of that bitterness and nobody is. But he does -- does -- bother you at all that the presidential on the democratic side has become so nasty. What was -- saying about you before and after. How wonderful you -- I'm glad that I would attack."

Play from 15:24[15:24]" The did the -- fact group remains that this this contest. If it doesn't become nesting and it has dipped into that at different times. But has so altered and changed in the shape about how Americans are looking at the nominating a process I've been out cross country and number of different states and the having an item up there for an imminent hidden in me in Maine and so that given tests in Massachusetts but. Up there and it Maine and out in the southwest. And the degree. Of interest and the degree of enthusiasts that and the fact that the way this whole process -- work has been spread out. Over such a period of time. That these people in these states really do believe. That they can make a critical and final judgment decision that's true in Pennsylvania -- Barack Obama wins the Pennsylvania primary. Unlikely unlikely but if he wins at this race is all of well he he he should win he's now in the -- fifteen to eighteen points behind but people in Pennsylvania today. Really understand that they hold the future of the Democratic Party and they've taken a very important way the direction where this country is going to go in. In their hands. And a week later it's going to be Indiana and North Carolina and they are all charged up and people -- The turnouts -- massive. Massive innings in these undertake and there were more people that turned out in the primaries and in several in Texas and that showed up for the general election. I mean it's extraordinary the al now at a point about ideas. Is it going to deteriorate or is it going to be about war and I did you might own a belief is -- this is an intense battle and the reason it's intense has the stakes are so. And people get involved and they get as passionate about this particularly if they -- members of their family involved and there are going to get close to the edge on. My own sense is that we are this this process what runners. A pathway and I think it's though though the candidates have had sufficient warning. Over the period that these past weeks about keeping this on it on a different to playing I think that that happens."

Play from 17:43[17:43]" I'm very very optimistic. As to what the what the outcome I think everybody wants to think that their vote count whether it's from Maine or Pennsylvania or. Texas whenever in this particular case however the general consensus is that the bigwigs in the democratic -- The super delegates are going to have to decide this -- Do you want to decide this should the super delegates decide this thing or should we just take it as it is right now who has the most popular vote who has -- coming --"

Play from 18:16[18:16]" It should be decided by the delegates if you want to that I selected. Not by the super delegates I mean I've I've said that I think I feel very strongly and I think that that'll be the will be the ultimate result. They'll make the final judgment -- with that's where we did set up -- process this is a process the under -- with the political party."

Play from 18:38[18:38]" It is and that it constitutionally and of the he would visit to different constitutional standards interesting historically the constitution says time manner place to be decided within the states so these supreme court's always give maximum flexibility. As long as -- risen to discrimination and denial of the opportunity to vote for the states to make these judgments and two parties make the judgment now the party did make a judgment and I think people have to play by the rules. And I don't believe the people they didn't play by the rules ought to have the right to make the final judgment decision about -- the winners and losers they ought to be seated. And they ought to be able have a role in terms of the life of -- convention. But my view is. The the chosen delegates. That have been selected they're the ones that shouldn't should should make the final ultimate judgment the decision and quite frankly I think that's with the way it's going to be. Talked enough of the super delegates that's their view by and large. And I think they do feel that this process should run through we've got qualified people that are experience bringing issues and the -- have the opportunity to us speak tonight I agreement that but I think ultimately. It's going to be judged by -- by the though the pledge the delegates. Who would like to join you're Illinois and senator Patrick Leahy in. Call for -- to bail out like six feet she's entitled to keep on the in this campaign as I said people in those states."