VANITY - Kerry views fight against terror as a "law enforcement action"

FR ^ | 1/30/2004 | Self

[Solson]

In the South Carolina debate last night, Presidential hopeful and likely Democratic nominee for President had some interesting things to say about the War on Terror.

Namely, Kerry believes the way to combat terror is primarily through a "law enforcement action" as opposed to military action.

Taking a page out of the Clinton administration's view on terror, John Kerry, as President, would once again lead us toward another September 11, 2001.

His comments from the debate:

"That said, they are really misleading all of America, Tom, in a profound way. The war on terror is less -- it is occasionally military, and it will be, and it will continue to be for a long time. And we will need the best-trained and the most well-equipped and the most capable military, such as we have today.

But it's primarily an intelligence and law enforcement operation that requires cooperation around the world -- the very thing this administration is worst at. And most importantly, the war on terror is also an engagement in the Middle East economically, socially, culturally, in a way that we haven't embraced, because otherwise we're inviting a clash of civilizations.

And I think this administration's arrogant and ideological policy is taking America down a more dangerous path. I will make America safer than they are."

And so we have it. John Kerry's stance on combatting terror is to take us back to the days of:

- The first World Trade Center bombing
- Khobar Towers
- Embassy bombings
- USS Cole

John Kerry will take us toward another 9/11 by dealing with terrorism as a law enforcment action.

Do we really want a leader who will shirk his responsibility of the protection of the American People? Do we really want a President Kerry?

[votelife]

Bush's SOTU speech attacked this very belief. Look for it to be a big part of the campaign, whoever the Dem's nominate.

I'd imagine we'll hear a lot about the "permission slip" from Bush too.

[Solson]

It WILL be an issue.

CNN/USA Today/Gallup Poll. Jan. 2-5, 2004. N=800 likely voters nationwide. MoE ± 4.
				.
"Looking ahead to next year's [sic] presidential election -- that is, in November 2004 --what will be the most important issues that you will take into account when deciding whom to vote for?" Multiple responses
		%
	The economy	32
	War issues in Iraq	18
	Homeland security/Military defense	15
	International/Foreign affairs	9
	Health care/Health insurance	7
	Employment issues	5
	Honesty, integrity of candidate	4
	Domestic issues	4
	Senior care/Medicare/Prescription drugs	4
	Other	30
	No opinion	4

 

The Harris Poll. Dec. 10-16, 2003. N=993 adults nationwide. MoE ± 3.
				.
"What do you think are the two most important issues for the government to address?"
		Top Responses
		12/03	10/03
		%	%
	The economy (non-specific)	28	30
	The war	17	18
	Health care (other than Medicare)	16	13
	Employment/Jobs	12	12
	Education	11	11
	Foreign policy (non-specific)	7	4
	Iraq/Saddam Hussein	7	10
	Homeland/Domestic security	6	3
	Medicare	6	3
	Military/Defense	6	2

 

[Remole]

I see your point and I agree with you. Not only to Kerry, but to other candidates (except Lieberman), one must ask the very plain question, Under what conditions would you ever employ military force? If not against SH, then against whom? And even then, ONLY under conditions sanctioned by the UN? I think the Dems have placed themselves in a very bad situation in regards to the WOT and I trust Bush and Cheney to make a very effective appeal to the public. If Kerry or similar is the Dem candidate, then that should spell the definitive end to the Scoop Jackson wing of the party and I hope we will see most of the Lieberman supporters voting for Dubya in the fall.

[Glenn]

Terrorism is on the minds of every voter and it will be discussed

That just isn't so. I work for a large company and it hasn't been water cooler conversation in six months. The only way it will become a hot topic is if something horrible happens between now and the election. If it does, Bush is even more vulnerable. I wouldn't be surprised if the terrorists aren't saving something just to sandbag Bush, as a matter of fact.

[votelife]

so 42% of America think foreign policy/iraq/national security is the most imp issue? Sounds right up W's alley.

[Solson]

The polls above show that it is an issue.

[Glenn]

The polls above show that it is an issue.

The polls above show that less than one in five people think it is important at all.

[Solson]

I just cannot imagine Joe Lieberman pulling the lever for John Kerry. I have an even harder time with his supporters contemplating such.

[Solson]

Do your math. The first poll shows that Terror(coupling war in Iraq, homeland security, foreign affairs)has 48% interest combined. Separately, it is SECOND, in order of importance.

In the second poll, terror(The war, homeland security, and Iraq) pulls together 30%. Again, standing alone it ranks second.

No matter how you want to minimize it, terror is on our minds.

[hchutch]

Al-Qaeda and other groups would be able to get a breather under a john F. Kerry Administration. It would buy them time to recruit and train more terrorists.

We can't let that happen. They are on the ropes because we're putting pressure on them. Think of Bush's policy as a "46" defense (using football as an analogy) as opposed to a "prevent" defense.

[Glenn]

No matter how you want to minimize it, terror is on our minds.

Maybe on yours.

While I appreciate your fear, I cannot subscribe to your spin.

I'll exit the discussion there.

[Ben Ficklin]

Bush's efforts in fighting terror by the use of law enforcement and intelligence are substantial. The media does not report on it because of two reasons. First, it is not as sexy as the military effort and, second, much of it is secretive.

[Solson]

I've got a relative who is a financial analyst for the FBI. All he does is track terror $$ and white collar crimes. Terror dominates most of the day at these agencies...

[cyncooper]

He also vowed to "Renew the Community of Nations".

He grows more grotesque by leaps and bounds with each passing day.

[cyncooper]

Ignore the bribes, ignore the UN corruption, ignore the blatant media bias of the BBC, and wag the finger. THAT is the Kerry approach to terrorism.

Exactly.

Thank you for articulating it so well. That's what I was getting at when I highlighted his "Community of Nations" BS.

[cyncooper]

Are the American people so stupid that we think that this war is being waged only with bullets?

Some think so.

[cyncooper]

Al-Qaeda and other groups would be able to get a breather under a john F. Kerry Administration. It would buy them time to recruit and train more terrorists.

Highlighting.

[cyncooper]

Good grief, I get sick to death of those who say discussing the issue boils down to "fear".

It always seems to me they are the ones really living in fear, and are afraid to invoke the bogeyman aloud.

The grownups are taking care of the problem, and most Americans realize it is a problem that needs to be faced and not denied and thus ignored.

[Glenn]

I get sick to death

Apparently not.

[Wild Irish Rogue]

President Bush, State of the Union:

"I know that some people( 99.99% of Democrats ) question if America is really in a war at all. They view terrorism more as a crime, a problem to be solved mainly with law enforcement and indictments. ..."
" After the chaos and carnage of September the 11th, it is not enough to serve our enemies with legal papers. "