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[0:07] ..." a he has deceived it was left vacant by the death of Senator Ted Kennedy and Massachusetts new junior senator joins us. From Washington before -- issue senator let me ask you how -- how your finding"...
[0:51] ..." a lot of hard work involved. However briefly. To be in the United States and."...
[4:01] ..." of an issue where you hope that the this institution in the United States senate would understand that these fears and concerns of people are. Are universal and I think those folks who who fill those"...
[4:25] ..." Speaking of of health for the senator member of Homeland Security you have spoken in -- in committee about. The swine flu vaccine in your concern about college students -- in Massachusetts getting. Sufficient vaccine and do we know that the government has failed in its prediction of having sufficient dosages available. A sooner rather than later. But Australia and China appear to be ahead of us in inoculating. They're citizens how does that happen in the USA."...
[4:52] ..." one of the things that. Mentioned -- here England the secretary of homeland security and health and human services were up. Last week is that the early terrified of produces. The particular. Vaccine that is needed for which are not a the United States. And so what we need to do was to village in terms of research and development and providing the capabilities to produce"...
[6:27] ..." for your WBZ. Is that the -- Afghanistan. As you know the United States marine captain from Attleboro. Was killed in one of those helicopter crashes yesterday. And the death toll this month is normally --"...
[0:00]" Senator Paul Kirk will only have the job until January. But that's the way that he went to a he has deceived it was left vacant by the death of Senator Ted Kennedy and Massachusetts new junior senator joins us. From Washington before -- issue senator let me ask you how -- how your finding the job."
[0:19]" It's a challenging job that I. They accepted it with. Healthy dose of humility. In the sense of being on it obviously -- Represent the citizens of Massachusetts. Two. Stand in even -- briefly. Following the death of my friend in the friend to all your listeners in the commonwealth. So that the Kennedys so which. It's a it's a challenge in many ways is a great honor its humbling responsibility has a lot of hard work involved. However briefly. To be in the United States and."
[0:58]" You said going in the do you were not going to run and -- not to enter your name. Into VA convention for the the election is coming up in December. Four other Democrats have but have you been in now that you've been there and you certainly no stranger to Washington senator -- now that you've been near in that job and a member of that exclusive club. Have you rethought that you wish it well maybe I could've run and a run on my real."
[1:25]" Actually. One of the agreements -- about the change of the law. Which was -- by Senator Kennedy that the interim appointee. Should not. I have an -- an advantage in that in the next election to fill -- and expired term it was really just too. But he hopefully an effective voice and a vote for the important issues that are coming up. But not to give a particular advantage of these interim appointee. Having accepted the -- will abide by those those ground rules I understand being here that it. You know acquires perhaps more time that I -- will have to accomplish what kinds of things that. One cities are possible but. Will do the very best we can within the time constraints and we've office with a great sense of honor of having been here."
[2:21]" Among the big issues senators. Obviously is national health care reform he'll be speaking about that. Today yesterday senator Reid put the public option back on the table. In the process alienating the only Republican who stood up for a bipartisan. Approach Olympia Snowe of Maine. Which means he's gonna need your vote and every other the Democrats get this passed making it pretty unlikely frankly a lot of experts believe that it would. Would pass how do you -- but the public option."
[2:51]" Well I think the public auction is going to be a contribution to the new. Coca reform because it will. Introduce the and other alternative it will introduce a sense of competition increased simulated competition commission which is. In another itself will be a -- to reduce the cost. That citizens of bearing in terms of the whole healthcare. Crisis these days the affordability in the cost of health care apart from the fact that we need to improve our quality. -- the number of other things the pocketbook issues. A ruling that things have frightening and so many of the folks in Massachusetts. Makes insurance unaffordable for those who. But not known -- or that the public auction will will help with respect about. They the other thing is the only sure -- sixty votes one of the things and I've noticed. Since I've been here. Even though I've been in Washington before that the the body is I think. Politically polarized. Divided which is unfortunate because this is kind of an issue where you hope that the this institution in the United States senate would understand that these fears and concerns of people are. Are universal and I think those folks who who fill those fears. Look to someone people in the Senate to work together -- to divide over issues that are. So perplexing and frightening for the folks back home."
[4:25]" Speaking of of health for the senator member of Homeland Security you have spoken in -- in committee about. The swine flu vaccine in your concern about college students -- in Massachusetts getting. Sufficient vaccine and do we know that the government has failed in its prediction of having sufficient dosages available. A sooner rather than later. But Australia and China appear to be ahead of us in inoculating. They're citizens how does that happen in the USA."
[4:52]" But one of the things that. Mentioned -- here England the secretary of homeland security and health and human services were up. Last week is that the early terrified of produces. The particular. Vaccine that is needed for which are not a the United States. And so what we need to do was to village in terms of research and development and providing the capabilities to produce these kinds of vaccines -- those who emanates. That we can catch up with it quicker and develop the proper vaccine. And get it. Distributed to. Our folks so that would not dependent on overseas manufacturers. So that was one issue the other was. Fact that. Just the fact that it does take time to recognize and identify the type of -- what is and then to manufacture the vaccine that -- be effectively inoculated against. But. I think everyone who supported that the frustration folks who awaiting. To get the proper vaccines and marketing in the timely. Timely fashion but we've been assured that there will be. Ample vaccines for people -- even though somewhat delayed I think what's happened here is the the who itself seems to be of running the supply chain. And we were urging me authorities to do everything else ever -- can possibly do to to catch up with them."
[6:24]" Final question -- are your time is short seller we do very much appreciate view it makes time for your WBZ. Is that the -- Afghanistan. As you know the United States marine captain from Attleboro. Was killed in one of those helicopter crashes yesterday. And the death toll this month is normally -- but this is yesterday's was the the bloodiest day for the Americans in Afghanistan and for years. The president has been asked by general McChrystal to significantly increase the number of boots on the ground the president is. Pondering his decision some people say too slowly. Are you in favor of sending more troops to Afghanistan."
[7:01]" Well aren't particularly. I appreciate the it would the president is doing. This is which are. Putting additional Americans men and women in harm's way. In area of the world it is a very unstable. And I think what we even get -- personal those advocated is that. If -- to have any troops at all -- the reasons we're having them there. Is to help that country build up its own governmental infrastructure. Economic development. The kinds of things that are going to be important for the long term. And and you know in the meantime. There is no government that has been. Sanctioned is quote unquote legitimate. So we're gonna put troops and equipment and farms in the of that country. I think it's only fair and reasonable that we give the assurance of Soviet government in place that could work -- NATO allies. So I think once. Once those factors are clearer than I think folks who make a better assessment of both weather and how many troops will be needed to support that effort."
[8:13]" In the -- and ES would have very very conditional. -- the -- exercise and elected like yes but a very conditional one."
[8:22]" I think -- it's premature I think to make a definitive statement about whether and how many troops. Will be needed obviously like Robinson probably watching it. Very closely. It's probably the most important decision if it comes between now and January and that'll be involved."













