The Kerry Line: John Kerry's Shifting Positions On Iraq

George W. Bush ^ | September 10, 2004

[RWR8189]

"John Kerry's shifting positions on Iraq have left Americans with little confidence that he has the conviction and leadership necessary to fight and win the War on Terror. He has taken more positions than anyone can keep track of, and he is losing credibility on this issue."

- Steve Schmidt, Bush-Cheney '04 Spokesman

John Kerry's Shifting Positions On Iraq

In 2002, Kerry Called Those Who Would Leave Saddam Alone "Naive To The Point Of Grave Danger." "It would be naive to the point of grave danger not to believe that, left to his own devices, Saddam Hussein will provoke, misjudge, or stumble into a future, more dangerous confrontation with the civilized world." (Sen. John Kerry, Congressional Record, 10/9/02, p. S10171)

Kerry Voted For Use Of Force Resolution Against Iraq. Kerry and Edwards voted for the Congressional resolution authorizing the use of force against Iraq. (H. J. Res. 114, CQ Vote #237: Passed 77-23: R 48-1; D 29-21; I 0-1, 10/11/02, Kerry Voted Yea)

Kerry Voted Against The $87 Billion Supplemental Supporting Our Troops. (S. 1689, CQ Vote #400: Passed 87-12: R 50-0; D 37-11; I 0-1, 10/17/03, Kerry And Edwards Voted Nay)

After Voting For The War And Trailing Candidate Howard Dean In The Democrat Primaries, Kerry Said He Was An Anti-War Candidate. CHRIS MATTHEWS: "Are you one of the anti-war candidates?" KERRY: "I am -- Yes, in the sense that I don't believe the president took us to war as he should have, yes, absolutely." (MSNBC's "Hardball," 1/6/04)

In Response To President's Question About How He Would Have Voted If He Knew Then What He Knows Now, Kerry Confirmed That He Would Still Have Voted For Use Of Force Resolution. SEN. JOHN KERRY: "Yes, I would have voted for the authority. I believe it's the right authority for a president to have. But I would have used that authority as I have said throughout this campaign, effectively. I would have done this very differently from the way President Bush has." (CNN's "Inside Politics," 8/9/04)

Kerry: Iraq Is "The Wrong War In The Wrong Place At The Wrong Time." "Democratic presidential nominee John Kerry on Monday called the invasion of Iraq 'the wrong war in the wrong place at the wrong time' and said his goal was to withdraw U.S. troops in his first White House term." (Patricia Wilson, "Kerry on Iraq: Wrong War, Wrong Place, Wrong Time," Reuters, 9/6/04)

• March 2003: Dean Said Iraq War Was "Wrong War At The Wrong Time." "It is our patriotic duty to say to the president, 'We wish our troops well. We hope they get home safely and soon, but Mr. President, we think this war is a mistake,' … This is the wrong war at the wrong time." (Christopher Graff, "Howard Dean Says He Will Back Troops, But Not War Policies," The Associated Press, 3/17/03)

In First Dem Debate, Kerry Strongly Supported President's Action In Iraq. SEN. JOHN KERRY: "I said at the time I would have preferred if we had given diplomacy a greater opportunity, but I think it was the right decision to disarm Saddam Hussein, and when the President made the decision, I supported him, and I support the fact that we did disarm him." (ABC News, Democrat Presidential Candidate Debate, Columbia, SC, 5/3/03)

Kerry Has Attacked The President For Spending "$200 Billion And Counting" On Iraq. "'George W. Bush's wrong choices have led America in the wrong direction on Iraq and left America without the resources we need here at home,' the presidential candidate said. 'The cost of the president's go-it-alone policy in Iraq is now $200 billion and counting.'" (Mary Dalrymple, "Kerry Says Bush Broke Promises, Set Wrong Course In Iraq," The Associated Press, 9/8/04)

• Just A Little Over A Year Ago, Kerry Told Tim Russert That "We Should Increase" Funding For The War In 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)

[RexBeach]

While you read this item, try to imagine someone tap-dancing to "Tea For Two". It works nicely.

[tomnbeverly]

Kerry Has Attacked The President For Spending "$200 Billion And Counting" On Iraq. "'George W. Bush's wrong choices have led America in the wrong direction on Iraq and left America without the resources we need here at home,' the presidential candidate said. 'The cost of the president's go-it-alone policy in Iraq is now $200 billion and counting

Kerry has some nerve putting a price on the lives and liberty of my children....

[TexasCajun]

4 More Years Bump!

[SGCOS]

...Kerry has some nerve putting a price on the lives and liberty of my children..

All kidding aside, Kerry couldn't care less about the lives and liberty of your children. Nor mine.