Posted on 09/28/2004 7:46:14 PM PDT by Former Military Chick
Sept. 28, 2004— In his only interview before the crucial first presidential debate, Sen. John Kerry speaks exclusively to Diane Sawyer about his thoughts on the war in Iraq and the public's perception of him.
Following is an excerpt of the interview with the Democratic presidential candidate: For more of the interview, watch Good Morning America on Wednesday, Sept. 29, and Thursday, Sept. 30, at 7 a.m. ET.
DIANE SAWYER: Was the war in Iraq worth it?
SEN. JOHN KERRY: We should not have gone to war knowing the information we know today.
SAWYER: If it turns out OK ... it was worth it?
KERRY: We have to succeed now that we've done. Look, we have to succeed. There are more terrorists in Iraq today then there were before, and you can't allow it to become an unstable regime that's a haven for terrorism. I've laid out a plan for success. I am not the president today. But each step of the way, I've laid out a plan for success, and each step of the way the president had always been following — always later, never the one who is initiating the things to make it successful. He's gotten us into this mess. It was his decision as to when to go, his decision as to how to go, his decision not to listen to his own advisers.
SAWYER: I want to come back to this issue of the Bush campaign's insistence about flip-flopping, waffling on positions. And, indeed, the polls show 53 percent of the voters — a recent poll — think that you change your mind too often.
KERRY: I think their advertising, and their effort over these last months — to use that word — have been particularly successful. I give them credit for it. But it doesn't reflect truth, nor does it reflect the truth of George Bush's record, who said he wouldn't go to the U.N., then he goes to the U.N., who said he didn't support homeland security and then he supports homeland security, who said he wasn't going to support the 9/11 commission and then he supports it, then he says he won't testify, then he goes to testify.
I can run down the longest list I've ever seen of switches in George Bush's position, you see, but I think it's important for the American people to focus on what we're going to do to change their lives. I've got a very clear program and over the course of the next few weeks, the American people will see the clarity of that.
Where are the Clinton's on this? I wish I had more time here.
Does this make sense or am I ready to be put out to pasture?
So, Kerry's position is:
A) It's all going to hell in a handbasket.
B) "Each step of the way" Bush has been following Kerry's plan.
Oooooooooooookay.
The first debate is just going to be a massacre.
I think this is number 13 of his flip then flop. After the before flip then the flop then the flip flop ...get the point.
With the information we have today, we could have stopped 9/11.
What kind of bullshit is this?
That was the first thing I caust also. It sounds stupid. How on earth would anyone know yesterday what they know today except Kerry.
The kind I hope the President calls him on during the debate. Being against the war is not a dishonorable position. Voting to send our troops to war without the conviction to see their mission through is dishonorable. I don't care which way you cut it, that is not a vote you cast if your resolve is as weak as Kerry is.
Unfortunately for Kerry this reason won't fly. If he was Howard Dean or someone who was always against the war, he would at least be consistent in his argument even though one could disagree with it on the merits. However, Kerry voted for the war and it was a clear vote for use of military action, it wasn't a threat to use military action or whatever he uses as his lame excuse. Also, just last month Kerry said specifically that knowing everything we know now about the war he would still have gone to war. He can not insist he's been consistent with his logic because he hasn't.
Bush needs to hammer him on these points because people who don't pay enough attention will forget these things if they aren't reminded of Kerry's own words. I hope Bush brings the resolution for the vote to go to war to the debate and reads it to expose Kerry's duplicity on the issue.
Always fight Kerry with Kerry's own words.
What a long winded goober! Stumbling all over himself with these long answers to simple questions to cover every possible nuance! jeez.
I predict goober will give one of these droning monotone lectures and Bush is going to counter with a one liner that will blow goober out of the water! Just like when Bush answered what the difference was between Cheney and Edwards. "Cheney can be President" next question!
If this man has such a wonderful plan why won't he tell any of us what it is? and all that garbage about the President following his plan??? Im dizzy with all nonsense this empty suit spouts,and to think he really believes we are going to buy it.HARRRMMPPH.
Thanks but no thanks, Senator. If my life needs changing, I will change it. The last thing I need or want is the government 'changing' my life. Kerry IS Scary.
Which anti-virus company has the commercial on tv where the chick asks "Where were you next Thursday?"
Same thing here...
"We have to succeed now that we've done."
Not a very good opening statement. I am happy to see that he included the "we" two times.
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