The Kerry Line: Kerry's Declining Credibility on Iraq

George W. Bush ^ | September 9, 2004

[RWR8189]

"John Kerry said we need to spend more in Iraq but now says we are spending too much. John Kerry voted against funding to send our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan critical supplies but now says he supports our troops. John Kerry said our troops in Iraq are fighting in the War on Terror but now is backtracking. The only constant aspect to John Kerry's shifting positions on the War on Terror is the steady erosion of his credibility."

- Steve Schmidt, Bush-Cheney '04 Spokesman

Kerry Says Iraq Spending Is Too Much After Advocating More Spending

Kerry Says America Is Spending Too Much On Iraq. "'$200 billion for Iraq, but they tell us we can't afford after-school programs for our children; $200 billion in Iraq, but they tell us we can't afford health care for our veterans; $200 billion for Iraq, but they tell us we can't afford to keep the 100,000 police officers we put on the street,' Kerry said." (Mary Dalrymple, "Kerry Says Bush Broke Promises, Set Wrong Course In Iraq," The Associated Press, 9/8/04)

Kerry: We Should Increase Funding To Iraq "By Whatever Number Of Billions Of Dollars It Takes To Win." MR. RUSSERT: "Do you believe that we should reduce funding that we are now providing for the operation in Iraq?" SEN. KERRY: "No. I think we should increase it." MR. RUSSERT: "Increase funding?" SEN. KERRY: "Yes." MR. RUSSERT: "By how much?" SEN. KERRY: "By whatever number of billions of dollars it takes to win. It is critical that the United States of America be successful in Iraq, Tim...." (NBC's "Meet The Press," 8/31/03)

Kerry Says He Supports Our Troops Despite Voting Against Their Funding

Kerry Claims To Stand With The Troops In Iraq And Afghanistan. KERRY: "I also want to speak directly to the more than 150,000 troops who are currently serving and risking their lives as far away as in Iraq or Afghanistan and to the sons and daughters like Gill O'Brien, that Robin just talked about, who've served once, who are here now, but who are going to go back. Your country is proud of you. You are the most dedicated, capable military that we've ever had in our history. We are united as a nation in support for you. We pledge to stand with you and with your families, as you are standing on the front lines for ours." (Remarks By Sen. John Kerry, Cincinnati, OH, 9/8/04)

Kerry Voted Against $87 Billion War Supplemental To Equip Our Troops In Iraq And Afghanistan With Critical Supplies Like Body Armor And Ammunition.

Kerry Said He's "Proud" That He And Edwards Voted Against The $87 Billion. KERRY: "Here is the value that John Edwards and I will put in place. I'm proud to say that John joined me in voting against that $87 billion when we knew the policy had to be changed." (John Kerry, Remarks at "Women's Voices: A Luncheon with John Kerry," Boston, MA, 7/12/04)

Kerry Offered A Tortured Explanation Of His Vote Against The $87 Billion To Support Troops In Iraq. "I actually did vote for the $87 billion before I voted against it." (Richard W. Stevenson and Adam Nagourney, "Bush's Campaign Emphasizes Role Of Leader In War," The New York Times, 3/17/04)

Kerry Backtracks From Saying Iraq Troops Are Fighting In War On Terror

Kerry Said Those In Iraq Are Fighting "On Behalf Of Freedom In The War On Terror." "Today marks a tragic milestone in the war in Iraq. More than 1,000 of America's sons and daughters have now given their lives on behalf of their country, on behalf of freedom in the war on terror. I think that the first thing that every American wants to say today is how deeply we each feel the loss." (CNN's "Wolf Blitzer Reports," 9/7/04)

Kerry Spokesman David Wade Says Kerry Was Only Referring To American Soldiers In Parts Of Iraq With Terrorists. "Kerry marked the 1,000th death in Iraq on Tuesday as a 'tragic milestone,' saying the soldiers gave their lives on behalf of country, freedom and 'the war on terror.' Kerry has previously not linked the Iraq war to the fight against terrorists. Spokesman David Wade said Kerry was referring to U.S. soldiers fighting in parts of Iraq that have now become a breeding ground for terrorists." (Mary Dalrymple, "Kerry: Bush Set Wrong Course In Iraq," The Associated Press, 9/8/04)

Kerry Communications Director Stephanie Cutter Says Kerry Comment Was Referring To Terrorism In Iraq Caused By The U.S. Presence. "His communications director, Stephanie Cutter, sought to explain that remark Wednesday. She said Kerry did not mean to suggest the war was justified by administration allegations of Hussein ties to Al Qaeda. Little evidence of such links has surfaced. Cutter said the intent of Kerry's comment was to refer to the terrorism fostered by the U.S. occupation of Iraq. 'Should he have clarified it and said it differently? Maybe,' she said. 'But the point remains the same: There was no terrorism in Iraq before we went to war. There is now terrorism there.'" (Michael Finnegan, "Kerry Says War Siphoning Billions From Home Front," Los Angeles Times, 9/9/04)

[JPJones]

"I actually did vote for the $87 billion before I voted against it."

A defining moment for a consummate Massachusetts liberal.

[Viet-Boat-Rider]

KERRY IS UP TO HIS OLD TRICKS AGAIN

Kerry went before the American people and discredited America's attempt to bring freedom and democracy to the South Vietnamese, and he did these despicable deeds for his own selfish political gain.

Thirty-three years later, John Kerry is again going before the American people and discrediting America's attempt to bring freedom and democracy to the Iraqi people, and he is again doing these despicable deeds for his own selfish political gain.

It worked thirty-three years ago, Kerry became a U. S. Senator. I'll be damned if he will be able to use his treasonous tactics again.