Posted on 03/08/2004 4:34:31 AM PST by BigWaveBetty
Edited on 03/08/2004 4:52:05 AM PST by Admin Moderator. [history]
Kerry 1997:The administration... don't believe that they even need the U.N. Security Council
During a 1997 debate on CNN's "Crossfire," Democratic presidential front-runner John Kerry made the case for launching a pre-emptive attack against Iraq, according to Rep. Peter King, R-N.Y., who appeared with Kerry on the program.
King recounted the debate for WABC Radio's Monica Crowley on Saturday, recalling that at the time, the U.N. Security Council had just adopted a resolution against Iraq that had been watered down at the behest of the French and the Russians.
According to King, Kerry argued: "We know we can't count on the French. We know we can't count on the Russians. We know that Iraq is a danger to the United States and we reserve the right to take pre-emptive action whenever we feel it's in our national interest."
"Crossfire" transcripts from 1997 are no longer available, but King said he'd share a copy of the Kerry tape with Crowley, who said she looked forward to broadcasting it. Stay tuned. Link
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So far this post at a blog is all been able to find on these Kerry remarks:
In my earlier post today I commented about a news story from Newsmax which reported that in an 1997 episode of CNN's Crossfire John Kerry, who by the way served in Vietnam, advocated a pre-emptive strategy in dealing with Saddam. Now my frequent commentor and fellow blogger Jaws has fished the transcript from the bowels of LexisNexis and provided me with it, the relevant parts are as follows:
JOHN SUNUNU:...This whole process gave our allies an opportunity not only not to follow America's leadership, not only not to allow us to lead, but to tell us we'd better not do what the president is now saying he might do.
KERRY: Well, John, there's absolutely no statement that they (France, Russia) have made or that they will make that will prevent the United States of America and this president or any president from acting in what they believe are the best interests of our country.
SUNUNU: But isn't what he has seen is a loss of U.S. leadership and an erosion under an administration that has failed to lead?
KERRY: On the contrary. The administration is leading. The administration is making it clear that they don't believe that they even need the U.N. Security Council to sign off on a material breach because the finding of material breach was made by Mr. Butler. So furthermore, I think the United States has always reserved the right and will reserve the right to act in its best interests.
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Now the words aren't exactly the same as reported in the earlier story but there's no doubt Kerry, in 1997, thought that a resolution from the UNSC was not needed because proof of Saddam being in material breach had been found. Further more he then believed a president doesn't need to worry about the concerns of other countries when the "best interests of our country" are at stake. hmmmm...now between '97 and 2004 what has changed?...hmmmm, it brings his world renown perchant for flip floppage to a whole new level. Link
WASHINGTON - Sen. John Kerry is a former altar boy with a Jewish heritage that includes at least two victims of the Holocaust in his family tree. His brother converted to Judaism. He supports Israel. So he should be a cinch with Jewish voters and donors, yes?
Not quite.
Over the past few months, wary leaders of the Jewish community have questioned Kerry's stance on the Middle East. Many were incensed when he told Arab-Americans in October that Israel's security fence presented a "barrier to peace."
They've urged him to clarify his position and warned that Jews, a reliable Democratic bloc in the past, are politically in play after President Bush's forceful post-Sept. 11, 2001, policies in the Middle East.
"The Jewish community has not been a battleground until now," said Rep. Anthony Weiner, D-N.Y., who attended a question-filled session between Kerry and Jewish leaders last week in New York.
For Kerry, holding on to Jewish voters is especially important in states such as Florida. So far, Kerry has fared well with Jews as he has moved to secure the Democratic Party nomination, but the Sunshine State could be crucial in November's general election, and Jewish defections to Bush could cost Kerry the state.
The closely divided U.S. electorate, however, has led Kerry to perform a political high-wire act.
Arab-Americans are also becoming a political force and constitute a sizable voting bloc in states such as Michigan and Pennsylvania. Kerry has gone out of his way to appeal for their votes. He has scored with his criticism of Attorney General John Ashcroft, whom many Arab-Americans accuse of civil rights violations in the aftermath of Sept. 11.
Rosen, a longtime Democrat, is a fan of Bush's Middle East policy and gave $100,000 to the Republican National Committee in 2002. He said that while Kerry has a long pro-Israel record, he was withholding final judgment.
"You can't go to Michigan and give nuances to one crowd and then come to New York and give nuances to another crowd," he said.
Former New York Mayor Ed Koch, a lifelong Democrat turned Bush supporter, exemplifies the problem Kerry faces.
"I am for Bush because I think his position on international terrorism and the Bush doctrine, which is we will go after terrorists and countries who harbor them, trumps everything else," Koch said. "I don't agree with any domestic position he has taken." Complete story
I hope Jayson isn't taking them into the men's room.
What am I saying?! Nobody's going to buy that door stop!
Frequent sightings of the Rev. Al Sharpton staying without his wife, Kathy Jordan, at the Helmsley Carlton House have raised questions about the state of the couple's marriage. The presidential candidate has been bunking down in the apartment of ad mogul Don Coleman, a longtime supporter. Don King also resides in the luxurious building. A doorman recently told The Village Voice that Sharpton stays at the Madison Ave. building three nights a week when he's not on the campaign trail. But it's the rigors of campaigning, and not any rift, in the 23-year-long marriage, that has kept the couple apart some nights, Sharpton's spokeswoman said.
"Kathy is raising their daughters, Dominique, who's 17, and Ashley, who's 16," said Rachel Noerdlinger. "He's on the road most days of the week, and Kathy wants to be there for the girls. But they just hosted a dinner together at their house on Saturday."
But Sharpton may be home soon. Asked about his plans now that Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry is the Democratic frontrunner, Noerdlinger said, "He's sorting out with the Kerry camp how Kerry can have a more urban agenda. Then, he'd be willing to campaign for him as part of an anti-Bush team." [Note: not pro-Kerry but anti-Bush. Doesn't that say it all about the Dems?] NY Daily News
I told you about another tippy toe picture I'd seen, but couldn't find. Here it is! What a gallery we're gonna have on this guy. Is anyone saving all of them?
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