John Kerry

recommendation not to proceed. Note - Kerry doing this would not hurt Obama any more than if he proceeds having the State Department in favor. In fact, perversely, it helps him with the Republicans while the Democrats will blame him either way. It also preserves Kerry's potential ability to work on climate change which Obama wants to do. As to Clinton, I suspect that she is too connected with it to argue she was against it. I do think that she, like Bill, would use anyone.

The likelihood is that just as the Republicans can ask the CBO to estimate the deficit effect of ACA sans all the reforms that drive down costs - getting an estimate that says that ACA adds to the debt, someone likely defined the assumptions of this paper - and as Mass said it was the worst possible case for showing a negative impact - because - by assumption - it eliminates the entire affect of the dirty Tar Sands oil. That someone likely has initials HRC.

Kerry already voted against Keystone and he wants to lead on climate change. I hope that Kerry was serious in having a transparent process on this. This is a draft and there is time for Q&A. If people here see through this - and question the assumptions, I assume that there are economists who can blast holes in that assumption.

What would be great is if Kerry held a hearing (if a SOS could do that) and was able to question things like that assumption.