Gephardt seems to be trying to get to the right of Bush, but Lieberman seems to be there already. Funny thing, Bush did everything right at the UN, except anticipate the utter corruption of France and other Quislings in their last minute reneging on their previous Security Council votes, thereby stabbing us in the back, and betraying the entire Western World. Where did the President not do his job? Gephardt would have cut and run... and simply acquiesced to France's treachery... thereby failing to defend the United States. Since he apparently anticipates breaking his Presidential oath, and kowtowing to the Socialist Internationale when it comes to national security, perhaps he would be doing his job... which is doing the bidding of his masters in Paris and the UN.
JOHN KERRY: "Being flown to an aircraft carrier and pronouncing the words 'mission accomplished' does not end a war, and the swagger of a President who says 'bring 'em on' does not bring our troops peace or safety. He failed in his diplomacy. He has inherited the wind."
Note that Kerry announced his so far lackluster candidacy for President in front of a de-comissioned aircraft carrier. Without realizing it, his choice speaks volumes about a man who voted against every successful and effective weapons program in the last 20 years. Also note that Kerry did serve in Viet Nam. Also note that Kerry disgraced himself by marching with pro-communist, anti-American war protesters, and has never asked forgiveness, as far as I know.
HOWARD DEAN: "In order to get the United Nations and Nato into Iraq, this President is going to have to go back to the very people he humiliated, our allies, on the way into Iraq and hope ... they will now agree that we need their help there."
Our allies are the UK, Poland, Spain, Turkey, Australia, Qatar, and several others. We don't have to go back to them, as they are all with us now. Our former allies are the nations Dean is thinking about; France, Germany, Belgium, and Canada, hardly the wronged parties in our relationship. It was the US and the West that France and its toadies betrayed by reneging on its previous commitments, and thereby exposing Chirac's corrupt and treacherous support for Saddam Hussein. It would be ridiculous to believe that France and Germany would do anything but undermine our efforts to establish peace and stability in Iraq. If we need help, asking for a knife in the back is clearly the wrong thing to do.
JOHN EDWARDS: "Saddam Hussein being gone is a very good thing, good for the Iraqi people, good for the region. But we have young men in a shooting gallery right now. And the prime reason is that we have a President who did not have a plan."
Funny how the war was won in record time, with remarkably few casualties, even Iraqi citizens, and progress is being made in just a few months, despite vicious, fraudulent, and ignorant criticisms that give aid and comfort to the terrorist enemy, ... and all without a plan! I don't think Edwards would recognize a plan if you drew it on his belly.
DENNIS KUCINICH: "It is time to bring the troops home. It is time to bring the UN in and get the US out. There was no reason to go into Iraq in the first place, and everyone who assumed the responsibility has to answer to the American people."
I never thought it possible that a cartoon character could actually bridge the dimensional divide between comic books and reality, but Kucinich has proven me wrong. That being the case, I wonder what MAD Magazine is going to do now that Alfred E. Neuman has jumped ship and is going by the name Dennis Kucinich?
JOE LIEBERMAN: "The administration let down our troops by not planning properly for the reconstruction [of Iraq]. This is an administration divided against itself, and the President has not brought it together. I would send in more troops to Iraq."
Lieberman thinks he can get to the right of Bush on the war issue... trouble is, he supported the previous administration's gutting of the military, which leaves us asking the question, since there are only 10 divisions in the current Army because of Clinton's cut backs, and the fact that the troops must be rotated regardless, .... what troops are you talking about?
CAROL MOSELEY BRAUN: "They [the Bush administration] have no answer for the American people on how to get out with honour. It seems to me that is the challenge, and so I welcome the international community."
I suggest that we use campaign funds to go on vacations to African countries with brutal dictators, and then buy lots of jewelry and gifts for our boyfriend, that will surely engender the "honour" necessary to once again join the international community. Either that or make idiotic statements on the Senate floor, proving just how out of our league we actually are and that embarrass our constituents back home.
BOB GRAHAM: "What will be our long-term commitment in Iraq? What will we do about restarting the war against Osama bin Laden? What is our exit strategy? Who is going to pay this $60bn to $80bn [Mr Bush's expected supplementary funding request to Congress]?"
Zell Miller wrote his book about how the Democrats are completely out of touch with reality with Bob Graham in mind. Graham must be satisfied with either his .01% ratings in the polls, or a potential place as undersecretary of underwear in the never to be Dean administration. Tough choice.