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May 09, 2008

Sen. Kennedy Dismisses Dream Ticket

Bloomberg

AL HUNT: We begin the program with Senator Edward M. Kennedy of Massachusetts. Senator, thank you for having us in your home.

SENATOR EDWARD KENNEDY (D-MA): Glad to be on your program again.

MR. HUNT: Let's take some legislative issues first and then we'll get to politics. The rebate checks are going out; the economy is stuck in neutral. Is there a need for a second stimulus package?

SEN. KENNEDY: Very definitely. And the fact that we've failed working families by not providing for the unemployment insurance, we ought to do something in terms of the food stamps. We ought to provide health and assistance to states to offset their increased pressure particularly in the areas of coverage of Medicaid. We ought to do more in terms of what they call the CDBG, the programs that help communities to deal with what's happening in our cities, primarily because of the impact of the recession. There ought to be this follow-on phase.

MR. HUNT: When do you think the Senate could pass a second -

SEN. KENNEDY: Well, I think it's on deck now. I think there's the supplemental in terms of the military expenditures request by the president. This ought to be a part of that whole program. We certainly ought to do it prior to the time that we get in May or in June. The time is now. The need is great now.

Now, in the past, when we've had these numbers in unemployment, we have provided the extended unemployment insurance. The unemployment insurance fund has $35 billion surplus that reflects funds that have been paid in by workers. And workers have paid on in; they're entitled to it.

MR. HUNT: Health care one of your signature issues. Senator John McCain this past week proposes a tax credit and federal assistance to states to expand high-risk pools for the uninsurable. He says it's more effective and more efficient to cover those who aren't insured. What do you think of the McCain plan?

SEN. KENNEDY: Well, first of all, we waited a long time to get this plan. It's a marvelous plan for the insurance industry. They just love it. But if you say that there's two essential elements to simplify this in terms of the healthcare crisis, one is cost. And this bill does nothing with regards to cost. And second, effectively coverage and this legislation does very little in terms of coverage.

What we really have to come to grips with is a program that is going to give emphasis and stress in using new technologies to get the costs down. What we need is a greater focus and attention on prevention.

MR. HUNT: The McCain plan doesn't do any of that.

SEN. KENNEDY: Doesn't do that. Prevention - need a very important program to deal with prevention. Chronic disease - about 65 or 70 percent of all the funds that are spent in Medicare are in chronic disease. And we need to deal more effectively with that. Disease management, we have to do more on that. Individualized medicines, that is the wave of the future. That's the future on this. And the McCain program fails in all of these areas.

MR. HUNT: Okay, you've opened up the subject - the presidential race. Thank you. You said this week that Barack Obama has sewed up the nomination, that you were not calling on Senator Clinton to drop out but the nomination is Obama's. Does it worry you that if this were to go on for another intense month or two of combat that it would imperil Obama's prospects in the fall?

SEN. KENNEDY: Well, it could. We don't have the great differences philosophically in this race. It's basically the divisions in terms of race and gender. And those involve people's emotions deeply. I think that's part of the reason there's been enormous kinds of turnouts and reactions across the country in terms of these primaries. So it could adversely impact it; but I don't think it will.

I mean, the idea that in some of these states, there is a greater turnout in support for Barack Obama than there has been turnout in terms of general elections, I mean, it's been extraordinary. And I think my own sense is that finally and ultimately, the party is going to come together because they are so thirsty for victory. And they understand the country needs a change in direction.

MR. HUNT: Senator Clinton said this week on the racial issue - she raised the racial issue, the divide. She said there's a pattern emerging where he does not get non-college-educated white votes. Those voters vote for her, that there's a clear racial pattern emerging.

SEN. KENNEDY: Well, they're all voting for Democrats, aren't they? That's number one.

MR. HUNT: Does it bother you when she brings that kind of issue up?

SEN. KENNEDY: Well, I think the fact that she is able to draw on her constituency is as much a reflection or more of a reflection of the fact that she has been around. President Clinton has been around for a long time. Many of those groups have great confidence in the Clinton brand, so to speak. And they're more familiar with her.

I think the great challenge that Barack has had is getting around and getting out. And the idea that you can go into a state and have just a handful of rallies because there's so many of these primaries, and expect to alter and change some very fundamental voting patterns just doesn't take place.

MR. HUNT: Well, the corollary to that is the Catholic vote, which he lost 72 to 28 in Pennsylvania, lost by more than 20 points in Indiana. Does he have a Catholic problem? And if so, what should he do about it?

SEN. KENNEDY: Well, I don't really believe so. I think, again, it's where great numbers - most of the Catholic population lives in - (inaudible). I think as they become more and more familiar with the fact that his message is basically the social gospels. I mean, it's to end the war. It's the challenge that we're facing in terms of poverty in this country. It's a recognition that we have millions of people that are starving and the food crisis that we're facing in this world today. So his message are the social gospels. And I think that has enormous resonance and appeal to Catholics, to other communities as well.

And as people are beginning to listen more to these rather than just the clash of what is happening on cable television and the campaign gets an opportunity to do it, I think he'll do very well.

MR. HUNT: What's your view of an Obama-Clinton ticket?

SEN. KENNEDY: I don't think it's possible.

MR. HUNT: You don't. And what type of vice president choice do you think he should make? What type of person?

SEN. KENNEDY: Well, the first is always a demand that you're going to have someone that's going to be able to assume the responsibility. I would hope that he would also give consideration to somebody that has - is in tune with his appeal for the nobler aspirations of the American people. And I think if we had real leadership - as we do with Barack Obama - in the number-two spot as well, it'd be enormously helpful.

MR. HUNT: Does he have to think about someone with national-security credentials?

SEN. KENNEDY: Well, I'm not going to get - that's useful and important, although I find that quite frankly, Barack's understanding in foreign policy in listening to him talk about national security as he has in the course of this campaign, I think he's been eloquent; I think he's been incisive; and I think he's been right.

MR. HUNT: Final question: You had a warm relationship with President Clinton when he was in the White House. Have you spoken to him since you endorsed Barack Obama?

SEN. KENNEDY: Not - I've spoken with her on a number of occasions. And we have a very civil relationship. This race has been -

MR. HUNT: But not the president?

SEN. KENNEDY: Not the president. I haven't had that opportunity.

MR. HUNT: Well, I'm sure you'll have it. (Laughter.) Senator Kennedy, thank you so much for being with us today. When we come back, Israel turns 60 and a report from Russia.

(END)

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