Posted on 11/19/2005 5:57:13 PM PST by Former Military Chick
Nov. 19, 2005 — - Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., believes U.S. troops do not necessarily need to be pulled out of Iraq right away, as a senior Democrat suggested this week, but they need more leadership from the Bush administration.
"What we need is a little more commander-in-chief, and a little less campaigner-in-chief," Kerry said in an exclusive interview on "Good Morning America Weekend Edition."
The question of whether or not troops should be withdrawn from Iraq moved to the front burner Thursday when Rep. John Murtha, D-Pa., called for all the troops to be withdrawn immediately -- a call that drew charges of recklessness from the Bush administration. Vice President Dick Cheney called Murtha's press conference "reprehensible."
Members of the House of Representatives debated late into Friday night and voted down a resolution to pull the troops out of Iraq by 403-3. Although most Democrats did not support Murtha's call, Kerry, who lost the 2004 presidential election to Bush, said Murtha did not deserve to be called names like "coward" by allies of the administration.
"It's just the attack politics: The people are sick and tired of it," Kerry said. "You don't call John Murtha a coward. … I mean, Dick Cheney had five deferments in a row in Vietnam, when John Murtha went to serve."
Murtha, Kerry said, has simply added to the debate. Kerry said the Bush administration needs to outline a clear plan about what benchmarks must be reached in order to bring the troops home.
"You can differ on the policies, and we should talk about the policy," Kerry said. "The administration has continuously misled Americans about our presence. We need to have the debate and figure out how we bring our troops home in a responsible way. John Murtha is really just adding to the debate in a very personal way. This man's statements have to be taken seriously even if you don't agree with his policy."
Kerry said the top U.S. commander in Iraq, Gen. George Casey, sent a plan to the Pentagon that outlined a timetable for withdrawal. The president of Iraq also said he had a plan to bring home 50,000 troops by Christmas. Kerry said that Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld also had originally said some troops would be brought home.
Kerry added that the Bush administration was wrong to suggest that calling for a plan to bring the troops home will endanger the troops.
"Let me tell you what is endangering our troops: Sending our troops to war without adequate armor endangers our troops," Kerry said, "not guarding the ammo dumps, so that our troops are now being hurt because of ammo that wasn't properly secured when we took Baghdad. What endangers our troops is sending them to war without adequate numbers of troops to do the job."
Kerry said he has a plan to bring 20,000 troops home by Christmas. He said that if the election and referendum in Iraq are successful, troops should be brought home because the election would act as a benchmark of the troops' success.
"They deserve leadership that is equal to their sacrifice," he said. "The president doesn't have a real plan."
Although he may have sounded as if he were campaigning, Kerry said he's leaving the door open when it comes to running for president in 2008.
He said the more immediate question is how the troops will be protected. It's time, he said, to hand over some responsibility.
"Let Iraqis stand up for Iraq," Kerry said.
I thought he said all we need is the French?
'Nuff said.
THIS president doesn't have a plan. *I* have a plan! I, John Kerry have a plan. GeorgedoubleyouBush doesn't have a plan. THIS presidDENT doesn't have anything but the same old politics of the swift boat attacks of smear and fear the queer. I HAVE A PLAN! I have a plan. I, John Kerry...
I think this article describes Kerry better than I could.
http://www.nationalreview.com/comment/morris200410311242.asp
October 31, 2004, 12:42 p.m.
John Kerry’s Other Vietnam War
Why would we trust this man to be our president?
.....John Kerry's sympathy for totalitarian states in the past has resulted in the slander of millions of American Vietnam veterans, not to mention the betrayal of hundreds of missing American POWs. If he is elected president, in dealing with more powerful and dangerous totalitarian enemies like North Korea, his flawed judgment and values could have devastating consequences for all the people of America, and the world.
There he goes again......talking about his mysterious plans! Sheesh.....
Look, TREAD! Here's another leftist talking point for you to spread around FR.
Kerry and Don't Tread.........on the exact same page. Gee, what a surprise.
I wonder if Kerry develops "a plan" before he goes doodoo.
Everytime he says "Plan", I say "Bullsh!t"!
"Stong leaders" don't say, "Hey! I've got my three Purple Hearts! I'm outta here!!!"
"He and other Democrats need to stop insulting people in this way."
I've never seen that. Love it!!
me thinketh little ole johnnie kereeee is in no position to talk about ANYONE showing leadership much less saying our President should.
Listen up Botox Boy...this President is LOVED by our military. He supports them. He speaks with them. He assures them. He thanks them, he PRAYS for them and know what is MOST IMPORTANT? He doesn't BETRAY them like YOU did.
Moderator: please delete if it's too offensive, or leave it if appropriate for Senator Kerry.
I wish someone would start a thread ALL TIME FAVOURITE KERRY PICS and we could make a collection and have a few well earned laughs at that coward's expense. Never in the history of politics has there been such a geek, such a twerp, such a natural idiot.
These photographs deserve to be preserved ( and brought out again each time he opens his mouth.)
If Kerry really believes what he says, then LET HIM CALL A VOTE!
I can't wait to see the Senate humiliate the Demoncrats in the same fashion the House did last night!
For the life of me I just can't figure it out.
Has anyone heard if Corsi is still going to try taking JF'nK's seat?
bttt
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