Posted on 08/02/2004 2:50:26 PM PDT by RWR8189
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Rhetoric |
KERRY: “I defended this country as a young man and I will defend it as President”
KERRY: “We need a strong military and we need … strong alliances.”
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The Facts |
Kerry Proposed Cutting $54 Billion From FY 1985 Defense Budget As Part Of “Long-Range Proposal To Cut $200 Billion From The Defense Budget Over Four Years,” And Called For Cancellation Of At Least 27 Weapons Systems And Reductions In 18 Other Systems. “[Kerry] recommended cancellation of 27 weapons systems including the B1 bomber, the cruise missile, MX missile, Trident submarine, Patriot air defense missile, F15 fighter plane, Sparrow missile, stealth bomber and Pershing II missile. He recommended reductions in 18 other systems including the joint tactical air system, the Bradley fighting vehicle, the M1 Abrams tank and the F16 fighter plane.” (Chris Black, “Kerry Asks Cuts In Defense Outlay,” The Boston Globe, 5/30/84)
But Kerry Was Open To Even More Cuts Than He Had Already Listed. “There is nothing cast in stone about this list … It is an effort to create a dialogue in this campaign. It may be that there could be additional cuts.” (“Kerry Asks $54 Billion Cut In Reagan Defense Budget,” Berkshire Eagle, 5/30/84)
In Fact, Kerry Expanded List To “Specific Cuts In Some 60 Categories” In Discussion With The Cape Codder Newspaper, Including: SSN-688 Los Angeles Class Nuclear Attack Submarine, Trident I Submarine, Trident I Missile, Trident II Submarine-Based Missile, Midgetman Missile, Pershing II Missile, DDG-51 Aegis air defense destroyer, and CG-47 Aegis air defense cruiser. (“John F. Kerry,” 1984 State Primary Newspaper Supplement, The Cape Codder, 9/11/84)
According To His Foreign Policy Advisor, Kerry’s Proposed Cuts Formed “Overall Defense Strategy.” “Joining Kerry was Michael Nacht, chairman of Kerry’s foreign policy task force and an instructor at Harvard’s John F. Kennedy School of Government, who said Kerry’s proposal was ‘unique’ because it was an overall defense strategy, not just a pro or con statement about certain Reagan administration programs.” (“Kerry Asks $54 Billion Cut In Reagan Defense Budget,” Berkshire Eagle, 5/30/84)
Kerry Has Voted To Cut, Transfer Or Otherwise Decrease Overall Defense Budget At Least Thirty-Eight Times. (S. Con. Res. 32, CQ Vote #52: Rejected 43-54: R 1-50; D 42-4, 5/8/85, Kerry Voted Yea; S. Con. Res. 120, CQ Vote #88: Adopted 66-29: R 38-13; D 28-16, 5/1/86, Kerry Voted Nay; S.Con.Res. 30, CQ Vote #60: Motion Agreed To 64-31: R 38-5; D 26-26, 5/3/89, Kerry Voted Nay; H.R. 2072, CQ Vote #72: Motion Agreed To 77-18: R 30-11; D 47-7, 6/1/89, Kerry Voted Nay; S. 2884, CQ Vote #216: Motion Agreed To 51-48: R 34-11; D 17-37, 8/3/90, Kerry Voted Nay; S. Con. Res. 29, CQ Vote #49: Motion Rejected 22-73: R 1-39; D 21-34, 4/25/91, Kerry Voted Yea; S. Con. Res. 106, CQ Vote #73: Motion Agreed To 53-40: R 38-1; D 15-39, 4/9/92, Kerry Voted Nay; S. Con. Res. 106, CQ Vote #69: Rejected 45-50: R 4-37; D 41-13, 4/9/92, Kerry Voted Yea; S. 2403, CQ Vote #85: Adopted 61-38: R 7-36; D 54-2, 5/6/92, Kerry Voted Yea; H.R. 4990, CQ Vote #108: Adopted 90-9: R 34-9; D 56-0, 5/21/92, Kerry Voted Yea; S. 1122, CQ Vote #156: Motion Rejected 16-81: R 8-45; D 8-36, 6/8/99, Kerry Voted Yea; S. Con. Res. 18, CQ Vote #46: Adopted 69-30: R 31-12; D 38-18, 3/23/93, Kerry Voted Nay; S. Con. Res. 13, CQ Vote #180: Rejected 40-60: R 37-17; D 3-43, 5/23/95, Kerry Voted Nay; S. 1087, CQ Vote #389: Motion Agreed To 56-42: R 50-3; D 6-39, 8/10/95, Kerry Voted Nay; S. Con. Res. 57, CQ Vote #113: Rejected 42-57: R 6-47; D 36-10, 5/15/96, Kerry Voted Yea; S. 1745, CQ Vote #172: Rejected 34-65: R 4-49; D 30-16, 6/26/96, Kerry Voted Yea; S. 1745, CQ Vote #173: Rejected 45-55: R 6-47; D 39-8, 6/26/96, Kerry Voted Yea; H.R. 4278, CQ Vote #302: Passed 84-15: R 38-14; D 46-1, 9/30/96, Kerry Voted Yea; H. Con. Res. 68, CQ Vote #86: Adopted 54-44: R 54-0; D 0-44, 4/15/99, Kerry Voted Nay; H.R. 2707, CQ Vote #182: Motion Rejected 28-69: R 3-39; D 25-30, 9/10/91, Kerry Voted Yea; S. Con. Res. 13, CQ Vote #181: Rejected 28-71: R 2-51; D 26-20, 5/24/95, Kerry Voted Yea; H.R. 2707, CQ Vote #182: Motion Rejected 28-69: R 3-39; D 25-30, 9/10/91, Kerry Voted Yea; S. 2399, CQ Vote #56: Motion Rejected 50-48: R 3-40; D 47-8, 3/26/92, Kerry Voted Yea; S. Con. Res. 106, CQ Vote #70: Motion Rejected 36-62: R 3-39; D 33-23, 4/9/92, Kerry Voted Yea; H.R. 5677, CQ Vote #208: Motion Rejected 36-62: R 5-38; D 31-24, 9/16/92, Kerry Voted Yea; H.R. 5677, CQ Vote #209: Motion Rejected 30-67: R 6-37; D 24-30, 9/16/92, Kerry Yea; H.R. 5677, CQ Vote #211: Motion Rejected 43-53: R 14-28; D 29-25, 9/17/92, Kerry Voted Yea; S. Con. Res. 18, CQ Vote #50: Motion Agreed To 58-41: R 6-37; D 52-4, 3/23/93, Kerry Voted Yea; S. 1298, CQ Vote #253: Motion Agreed To 61-32: R 35-5; D 26-27, 9/9/93, Kerry Voted Nay; S. Con. Res. 63, CQ Vote #66: Rejected 42-58: R 42-2; D 0-56, 3/23/94, Kerry Voted Nay; S. Con. Res. 13, CQ Vote #204: Rejected 31-68: R 1-53; D 30-15, 5/25/95, Kerry Voted Yea; S. Con. Res. 13, CQ Vote #205: Rejected 26-73: R 2-52; D 24-21, 5/25/95, Kerry Voted Yea; H.R. 1944, CQ Vote #319: Motion Agreed To 57-40: R 47-5; D 10-35, 7/21/95, Kerry Voted Nay; H.R. 1944, CQ Vote #320: Motion Agreed To 65-32: R 49-3; D 16-29, 7/21/95, Kerry Voted Nay; S. 1745, CQ Vote #175: Motion Agreed To 60-40: R 50-3; D 10-37, 6/26/96, Kerry Voted Nay; S. 1061, CQ Vote #229: Motion Rejected 27-72: R 2-53; D 25-19, 9/10/97, Kerry Voted Yea; S. 2057, CQ Vote #173: Rejected 18-74: R 1-50; D 17-24, 6/25/98, Kerry Voted Yea; S. 1077, CQ Vote #224: Motion Agreed To 77-22: R 48-0; D 29-21; I 0-1, 7/10/01, Kerry Voted Nay)
In 1993, Kerry Introduced Plan To Cut Numerous Defense Programs, Including: Cut the number of Navy submarines and their crews; Reduce the number of light infantry units in the Army down to one; Reduce tactical fighter wings in the Air Force; Terminate the Navy’s coastal mine-hunting ship program; Force the retirement of no less than 60,000 members of the Armed Forces in one year. (S.1163, Introduced 6/24/93)
In 1994, “[K]erry Proposed $45 Billion In Spending Cuts … Largely Aimed At Science, Intelligence And Defense Projects.” Among the bills cuts, $6 billion cut in Intelligence budget ($1 billion rescission for FY 1994, then freeze budget at the level through FY 1998 at cost of another $5 billion), termination of Selective Service System (including requirement to register for draft), cuts in Armed Forces recruitment efforts, cuts in ballistic missile defense programs, elimination of Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, and a number of other national security and science programs. (John Aloysius Farrell, “Buchanan Vindicated, But Pulitzer Unlikely,” The Boston Globe, 11/20/93; S. 1826, Introduced 2/3/94)
In 1995, Kerry Voted To Freeze Defense Spending For 7 Years, Slashing Over $34 Billion From Defense. (S. Con. Res. 13, CQ Vote #181: Rejected 28-71: R 2-51; D 26-20, 5/24/95, Kerry Voted Yea)
As Senator, Kerry Voted At Least Twelve Times Against Increasing Pay For America’s Hardworking Volunteer Military Personnel. (H.R. 4739, CQ Vote #320: Adopted 80-17: R 37-6; D 43-11, 10/26/90, Kerry Voted Nay; “Congress Cuts Bush Defense Request,” CQ Almanac, 1990, p. 671-687; S. Con. Res. 18, CQ Vote #46: Adopted 69-30: R 31-12; D 38-18, 3/23/93, Kerry Voted Nay; S. Con. Res. 18, CQ Vote #73: Motion Agreed To 55-42: R 2-39; D 53-3, 3/24/93, Kerry Voted Yea; H.R. 1335, CQ Vote #98: Motion Agreed To 51-49: R 0-43; D 51-6, 4/1/93, Kerry Voted Yea; S. Con. Res.18, CQ Vote #72: Motion Agreed To 54-44: R 2-40; D 52-4, 3/24/93, Kerry Voted Yea; S. 1087, CQ Vote #397: Passed 62-35: R 48-4; D 14-31, 9/5/95, Kerry Voted Nay; H.R. 2126, CQ Vote #579: Adopted 59-39: R 48-5; D 11-34, 11/16/95, Kerry Voted Nay; “Defense Bill Enacted Despite Objections,” CQ Almanac, 1995, pp. 11-25; H.R. 1530, CQ Vote #399: Passed 64-34: R 50-3; D 14-31, 9/6/95, Kerry Voted Nay; H.R. 1530, CQ Vote #608: Adopted 51-43: R 47-2; D 4-41, 12/19/95, Kerry Voted Nay; S. 1124, CQ Vote #5: Adopted 56-34: R 42-3; D 14-31, 1/26/96, Kerry Voted Nay; “Goal Of Boosting Defense Budget Eludes GOP Lawmakers,” CQ Almanac, 1995, pp. 9-12; S. 1745, CQ Vote #187: Passed 68-31: R 50-2; D 18-29, 7/10/96, Kerry Voted Nay; H.R. 3230, CQ Vote #279: Adopted 73-26: R 50-3; D 23-23, 9/10/96, Kerry Voted Nay; “Clinton Signs GOP’s Fortified Bill,” CQ Almanac, 1996, pp. 10-33 - 10-38)
In 1995, Voted Against $11.1 Billion For Military Construction, Including $4.3 Billion For Military Family Housing. Kerry was one of only 14 Senators to vote against the funds. (H.R. 1817, CQ Vote #459: Adopted 86-14: R 49-5; D 37-9, 9/22/95, Kerry Voted Nay; “Military Construction Up $2.4 Billion,” CQ Almanac, 1995, pp. 11-66 – 11-68)
In 1996, Voted Against $9.9 Billion For Military Construction, Including $4.1 Billion For Military Family Housing. Kerry was one of only 6 Senators to vote against the funds. (H.R. 3517, CQ Vote #269: Adopted 92-6: R 49-2; D 43-4, 9/5/96, Kerry Voted Nay; “Clinton Signs Bill Despite Objections,” CQ Almanac, 1996, pp. 10-71 – 10-73)
In 2003, Kerry Voted Against $86.5 Billion To Assist Troops With Military Operations And Reconstruction In Iraq And Afghanistan. The bill including funding for body armor, health care for reservists and veterans, ammunition, spare parts and other vital equipment. (S. 1689, CQ Vote #400: Passed 87-12: R 50-0; D 37-11; I 0-1, 10/17/03, Kerry Voted Nay)
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Rhetoric |
KERRY: “And then … we will be able to tell the terrorists: ‘You will lose, and we will win.’ The future doesn’t belong to fear; it belongs to freedom.”
ANNOUNCER: “The Democratic National Committee is responsible for the content of this advertisement.”
CHYRON: John Kerry For President
CHYRON: Paid for by the Democratic National Committee www.democrats.org
CHYRON: Not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee. The Democratic National Committee is responsible for the content of this advertisement.
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The Facts |
The Washington Post Editorial Board: No Praise For Liberation Of Iraq, Afghanistan. “He offered not a word to celebrate the freeing of Afghans from the Taliban, or Iraqis from Saddam Hussein, and not a word about helping either nation toward democracy.” (Editorial, “Missed Opportunity,” The Washington Post, 7/30/04)
The New York Times Editorial Board: No “Clear Vision On Iraq.” “He did not, however, provide a clear vision on Iraq. Voters needed to hear him say that he understands, in retrospect, that his vote to give President Bush Congressional support to invade was a mistake. It’s clear now that Mr. Kerry isn’t going to go there, and it’s a shame.” (Editorial, “John Kerry Says,” The New York Times, 7/30/04)
Despite Bin Laden Terror Links, Kerry’s 1997 Book On Terrorism Contains ZERO References To Him Or Al Qaeda And Just One Dismissive Mention Of Taliban. “In the autumn of 1996, Taliban fighters … called for a return to Islamic purity and a repudiation of opium trafficking. But Western intelligence analysts immediately detected evidence that the public statements were a sham to mask continued [drug] smuggling …” (Sen. John Kerry, The New War, 1997, p. 97)
Reviewer Noted Kerry’s Book Lacked “Any New Ideas” For Fighting Terrorism. “[K]erry rightly fears the effects of political terrorism, particularly the incredible dangers that come with the increasing necessity to trade individual freedom and privacy for collective security. With a laundry list of examples to make his point - the New York World Trade Center bombing, the bombing of the federal building in Oklahoma, the nerve gas attack on the Japanese subway - Kerry posits that terrorists will increasingly force society to bargain away its freedoms … Kerry will probably receive some criticism for his book’s failure to advance any new ideas for dealing with international crime. Other than his declaration that nations must work more closely together to identify and apprehend criminals and their assets, Kerry seems to be lacking for solutions to the criminal scourge he so skillfully documents.” (Phillip Morris, “Top Analysis Of Global Crime Lacks Solutions,” The [Cleveland] Plain Dealer, 7/20/97)
The New Republic Said Kerry’s Book “Was Almost Entirely Focused On The Threat Of Global Crime – Not Terrorism” And “Missed The Mark” On “Course Of Action.” “Kerry must be assuming no one will go back and actually read his [1997] manifesto [The New War], because his description of it is awfully selective. Yes, Kerry briefly considered the possibility of a terrorist catastrophe on American soil. But The New War was almost entirely focused on the threat of global crime - not terrorism. If the future Kerry predicted really had arrived, we’d currently be locked in a vicious cyberwar with CD-pirating Japanese yakuza, Chinese kidney-traders, and Italian mobsters - not hunting Islamic fundamentalists potentially armed with weapons of mass destruction. It is, of course, true that almost no one predicted a September 11-like attack, and few correctly identified Islamic terrorists as the chief post-cold-war security threat to the United States. But the ways in which The New War missed the mark are nevertheless revealing. They show the extent to which Kerry was influenced by the criminal investigations of his early Senate career, his preference for viewing post-cold-war security more as a matter for law enforcement than the military, and his tendency to describe problems ad nauseam without offering a clear and bold course of action.” (Michael Crowley, “Kerry’s Odd Book On Terrorism,” The New Republic, 2/9/04)
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If the R party keeps pointing out Kerry's weak record, and doing it with humor, and wins,
I might send them a check for the first time in years.
Where are the RNC's ads? They havent made a single tv ad yet that i know of.
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