Kerry Pledges Return to Clinton Terrorism Policies

NewsMax.com ^ | January 31, 2004 | Carl Limbacher

[Carl/NewsMax]

Democratic presidential front-runner John F. Kerry pledged on Saturday that if he becomes president he'll treat terrorist acts against the U.S. as a law enforcement problem rather than as acts of war - the approach favored by President Clinton throughout the 1990's as Osama bin Laden repeatedly struck U.S. targets with impunity.

Speaking before a group of Oklahoma City firefighters, Kerry complained that the Bush adminsitration "doesn't understand the war on terror."

Under a Kerry administration, he said, the fight against terrorism "will involve the military now and then," but it will be "primarily an intelligence gathering, law enforcement operation."

"It's a great big manhunt," Kerry explained. "[The Bush] administration has translated that legitimate threat into a completely wrongheaded kind of full-fledged military response."

Since 9/11, U.S. terrorism experts have said that the Clinton administration's legalistic approach to fighting al Qaeda not only proved ineffective - it actually emboldened bin Laden to the point where he thought he could launch an attack on U.S. soil without prompting a serious military response.

Indeed, in a 2002 speech to New York business leaders, Mr. Clinton himself cited legal concerns as an excuse for his decision not to have bin Laden arrested five years before the 9/11 attacks.

"At the time, 1996, he had committed no crime against America," said Clinton. "So I did not bring him here because we had no basis on which to hold him, though we knew he wanted to commit crimes against America."

To listen to ex-president Clinton explain why he didn't have Osama bin Laden arrested, Click Here.

[Mo1]

So basically Kerry will do nothing except for launching a few cruis missles and pat himself on the ass

I'm of the thinking he'll do less then that

[Howlin]

"Occasional" use of the military.

Is that anything like "occasional" use of a condom?

[Attention Surplus Disorder]

Simply amazing. Is Karl Rove feeding this guy his lines? You have to wonder, is there some parallel universe where a strange Mr. Bizarro has a souped up audio version of Photoshop and can make this guy say and apparently do anything? NOBODY, Republican or Democrat could buy this line of thinking. Kerry probably thinks we should take UBL to Small Claims Court. Beyond amazing.

[blackbart.223]

"Frankly, Kerry isn't qualified to be a Senator."

Niether is Hillary, but she is. We need to get out in large numbers and turn the tide if we can.

[LdSentinal]

So basically Kerry will do nothing except for launching a few cruis missles and pat himself on the ass.

And get a "Monica" now and then.

[LdSentinal]

Howard Dean is dead. Long live the new Howard Dean.

[ezo4]

Clinton turned the reputation of this country into a paper tiger. And that was a direct result to what happened to NYC on that tuesday morning.

The entire world knows today that we are not. I dont know what to expect if another dem gets in there again.

[woodyinscc]

The comment that is going to really get him, is when he said "terrorism against this country has been greatly overblown." He actually said this.!!

[My2Cents]

Isn't this kind of statement which started Dean to unravel?

[Brad’s Gramma]

Did you, too, think of the long on-going thread that Jim started? All the people on there trying to convince us "Anybody but Bush"....

Incredible.

[alnick]

A Kerry presidency would allow Al Qaeda to go from 70 percent destroyed as they are now to bigger and stronger than ever by the end of his first term.

[dc-zoo]

That WMD he's using on his face must have penetrated his brain. What's left of it.

[nopardons]

Yep.

And this is only January, for crying out loud. :-(

[gonzo]

"...Like many here, I am wondering if I am reading this right... can ANYONE be that stupid? Clinton's policies led to 9/11, as surely as night follows day. Kerry must feel we must be punished for our outright arrogance... to actually think we had the right to defend ourselves! If the American people elect this idiot, then America simply is doomed. The idea of treating a murderous lunatic like Ozama Bin Laden like as Liberals treat other criminals is insane. What would he do, Mirandize him? Would he plea bargain with him? Perhaps he might do like Dean, and say, "he is innocent until proven guilty" ..."

What you said needs repeating. Maybe it's a joke on us...............FRegards

[Brad’s Gramma]

I've thought for a long time that if we thought the last election was tough.....hang on, this one's gonna outdo it by a long shot.

[alnick]

That WMD he's using on his face...

Thanks. I needed a laugh. =o)

[nopardons]

I've thought exactly that, since last summer.

We all need to be BROKEN GLASS REP;UBLICANS and get out there and work our rear ends off to get the president re-electeed.

The nay sayers of FR, need to be shunted off to some other site, or at least told to hold it down. FR is beginning to look like an anti-FR site and DU rolled into one.

[gonzo]

We're workin' on it, sweetie...........FRegards

[Momaw Nadon]

There is a God! I humbly thank him.

Amen!

[nopardons]

You get it;thank GOD! Far too many on this site don't.