I met John Kerry in Lowell when I was 18 years old, almost 40 years ago. He was running for Congress, and we know how that turned out. Nevertheless, I was impressed then, and I still like what I see most of the time. If someone is going to represent me, and that’s what happens in our system, in Pakistan this week, I feel good about it being him. He’s representing all of us as a senior US Senator. Here’s the latest report on his trip and statements from Reuters news service.

Sen. John Kerry (l.) shakes hands with Pakistani Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani prior to their official talks at Prime Minister house in Islamabad, Pakistan, on Monday. B.K. Bangash/AP