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[0:07] ..." a he has -- 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. "...
[4:01] ..." of an issue where you hope that the this institution in the United States senate would understand that these fears and concerns -- people -- Universal. I think those folks who will -- those fears. Look"...
[4:25] ..." But speaking of of health us senator member of Homeland Security you have spoken in -- in committee about. The swine flu vaccine in your concern about college students -- 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. There citizens how does that happen in the USA."...
[4:52] ..." But one of the things that. Mentioned materialism. The secretary of homeland security and health and human services were up. Last week is that the are -- five 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"...
[6:28] ..." your WBZ. Is that the war in 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 -- 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 -- obviously it is. Represent the citizens of Massachusetts. Two. Standard and even if 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 -- humbling responsibility. -- a lot of hard work involved. However briefly. To be in the United States. "
[0:59]" You said going in the view we're not going to run and -- you have 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 the law. Which was earned by Senator Kennedy that the interim appointee. Should not. I have an -- an advantage in that in the next election to fill the have expired term it was really just too. We hopefully an effective voice and a vote for the important issues for the coming up. But not to give particular advantage of these interim appointee. Having accepted the on our will abide by. Those those ground rules. I understand being here that it. You know acquires perhaps more time than what what to accomplish to kinds of things that. One -- are possible but will do the very best we can within the time constraints and we've -- with a great sense of honor of having been here."
[2:21]" Among the big issues -- senators. Obviously is national health care reform will be speaking about that. To -- 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 feel but the public option."
[2:52]" Well I think the public auction is going to be a contribution to the new. Coca reform because it will. Introduce a and other alternative it will introduce a sense of competition increased -- competition commission which. In and of itself will be a factor to reduce the cost. That citizens bearing in terms of the whole health care crisis these days -- Affordability in the cost of health care apart from. The fact that we need to improve our quality. Take a look at the number of other things the pocketbook issues. A really the things and frightening and so many of the folks in Massachusetts. Makes insurance unaffordable for those who. -- not known truant or -- a public auction will will help with respect about. It the other thing is who's -- about sixty votes one of the things that -- 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 -- kind of an issue where you hope that the this institution in the United States senate would understand that these fears and concerns -- people -- Universal. I think those folks who will -- those fears. Look -- of someone people in the Senate to work together and -- to divide over issues that are. So perplexing and frightening for the folks back home."
[4:25]" But speaking of of health us senator member of Homeland Security you have spoken in -- in committee about. The swine flu vaccine in your concern about college students -- 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. There citizens how does that happen in the USA."
[4:52]" But one of the things that. Mentioned materialism. The secretary of homeland security and health and human services were up. Last week is that the are -- five 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 actions. When the move 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 clue what is and to manufacture the vaccine that be effectively inoculated against it. But. I think everyone's disappointed that the frustration folks who were waiting to get the proper vaccines and marketing in the -- Timely fashion but -- the sure that there will be. Ample vaccines for people or even though somewhat delayed and I think what's happened here is the the flu itself seems to be of running the supply chain. And we were urging the authorities to do everything else ever that can possibly do look to catch up with them."
[6:24]" Final question is are your time is short -- we do very much appreciate view it makes time for your WBZ. Is that the war in 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 I don't particularly. I appreciate the it would the president doing. This is which -- vote. Putting additional Americans men and women in harm's way. In area of the world that is very unstable. And I think what we even gentleman personal -- advocated is that. What vehicle what have any troops at all for the reasons for 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. Sanctioned is quote unquote legitimate. So we're gonna put troops and equipment and farms and of that country. I think it's only fair and reasonable that we give the assurance of Soviet government in place that could work with a Kosovo NATO allies. So I think once. Once those factors are clearer than I think folks can make a better assessment about whether and how many troops will be needed to. Support that effort."
[8:13]" South and ES with a very very conditional."
[8:16]" 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."
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