KERRY'S ANSWER: CUT & RUN

The New York Post ^ | September 25, 2004 | AMIR TAHERI

[Ramonan]

-- IT was bound to happen: Sen. John Kerry has decided to adopt Sen. Edward Kennedy's slogan: Iraq is another Vietnam. For months, the Democratic presidential nominee, had resisted the temptation of following his senior colleague from Massachusetts: Kerry defended his initial support for a war that destroyed one of modern history's most barbarous regimes.

By last week, however, it had become clear that Kerry could not be both pro-war and anti-war in this campaign. Having made his calculations, he decided to recast himself as a more sober version of Howard Dean, the early champion of the anti-war faction.

Kerry's shift should be welcomed by those who want the presidential campaign to deal with the substance of issues rather than conspiracy theories, real or imagined heroics in the Mekong Delta and real or forged National Guard documents, dating back 30 years.

Kerry's exit strategy, on the other hand, reflects his belief that Iraq is another Vietnam. Kerry's plan includes four steps: Repair alliances, train Iraqi security forces, improve reconstruction and ensure elections. Then, "we could begin to withdraw U.S. forces starting next summer." It is important to remember what happened in Vietnam.

America made huge human and material sacrifices to enable the people of South Vietnam to avoid falling under a Communist dictatorship sponsored by the Soveit Union and China. The U.S. effort was successful in military terms and, after the Tet Offensive, there was little doubt that the Communist threat in Vietnam had been contained as it had been in the Korean Peninsula two decades earlier.

Nevertheless, America did then cut and run, abandoning the people of South Vietnam — not because the Vietcong had won the war, but because U.S. public opinion adopted the "cut and run" strategy" that John Kerry, then a young veteran, advocated

[Ramonan]

This man, who knows the Middle East, has nailed it!

[BonnieJ]

He is so aligned with the French, I don't think we can expect much beyond appeasement and white flags of surrender.

[ErnBatavia]

recast himself as a more sober version of Howard Dean

The "more sober version" part is quickly going aglimmering....

[jonrick46]

Kerry's entire life is cut and run. Any time the going has got tough, he has bailed out. Why else has he had nothing to show for his entire career in the U.S. Senate? It takes someone with persistence to get a law through the Senate. Kerry is a man who wants all of the prestige of the position but does not want to stick his neck out for anything. He is not someone we want for President of the United States.

[backtothestreets]

We either fight this war to completion now, or it will be renewed next decade. We should have finished the Gulf War and avoided this one. We cannot afford to put this off for another 10 years. Each layer will only get more terrible than the previous one.

I wish all these people suggesting we cut and run had to explain to a 10 year old child why they think it should be the responsibility of that child to finish our job next decade. Let's finsh the job now so the next generation of sons and daughters won't have to.

[DiamondDon1]

Are we sure that Kerry will take the time to CUT???

DD

[GBA_001]

John FAILURE Kerry!

[JoeGar]

Kerry's exit strategy ... could be described as "cut and whistle your way out."

Kerry cut and run from Vietnam. He never showed up for Desert Storm. And he will cut and run again from Iraq. The guy's a girlie-man.

[GBA_001]

America WANTS to WIN! We HATE losers and Kerry is a definate LOSER. If Kerry goes with this plan, he'll be sinking his own ship!!

GO GEORGE W. BUSH - GIVE US VICTORY!!

[Verginius Rufus]

Maybe "a more sober version of Howard Dean" is aiming too high...but he can always pose as "a more sober version of Dennis Kucinich."

[backtothestreets]

Kerry is at the head of the list of people suggesting we cut and run, but he's got company with some of Bush's staff. Let's just finish the job now.

[Fast1]

Of course Kerry is a Coward.

[LSU Engineer]

Kerry's true spots are showing more each day. At this rate, he'll soon be throwing his medals over the fence of the White House again.

[GBA_001]

Hi Backtothestreets *waving*

I hadn't heard that others (besides the Kennedy lefty-types) were wanting to cut and run...which people on Bush's staff are pushing for this?? *gasp*

[backtothestreets]

"I hadn't heard that others (besides the Kennedy lefty-types) were wanting to cut and run...which people on Bush's staff are pushing for this?? *gasp*"

Hi GBA_001 *waving back*

I've read statements by Colin Powell and most recently by Donald Rumsfeld that are cut and run policies. The statement by Rumsfeld last week that the US may withdraw before Iraq attains a relatively peaceful and secure country concerns me most. That's essentially what we did after the Gulf War. We left an opportunity for real peace and we're paying the price today.

The exact quote: "Any implication that that place has to be peaceful and perfect before we can reduce coalition and US forces would obviously be unwise because it has never been peaceful and perfect and it isn't likely to be."

That is a cut and run policy. We can't afford to leave another festering wound.

[GBA_001]

To be honest, I've never been 100% comfortable with Powell...just a feeling that he was a bit to dovish...but, yeee gads...I never heard that about Rumsfield (DOD).

Rats...I guess I have to re-evaluate my thoughts about Rummy, now. I've always liked him for his strong support and no-nonsense talk. You think he might have just had a bad hair day and his tongue slipped? *LOL*

Thanks for the response.

[GBA_001]

"We can't afford to leave another festering wound"

You're absolutely right! It would be a disaster for decades...and even worst for the world than VN!!

[GBA_001]

Hey there...I was just visiting another pol site that brought up this same question and their take was much different.

What I heard was that the "cut and run" strategy had been discussed, but Rumsfield was NOT for it. The conversation broke down into rumors that were passed on to the media by "anonymous sources".

So, I think I'm going back to my original train of thought until I hear them say it directly on "Meet The Press" or some other program. *ROFL*

Gads...We HAVE to stay the course...there's no other way!

[backtothestreets]

Hi there again! Do a news search on one of the search engines with just the name Rumsfeld. That'll bring up the latest news. His statement was made during a news conference so you'll see many sources to follow.

I just searched the DOD site too. It may help to read the entire press conference posting. http://www.defenselink.mil/transcripts/2004/tr20040924-secdef1326.html

My impression is that he would extract our troops before the small trouble spots are cleared.

All I can say is that we sure didn't duck out of Germany after WWII when some Nazi groups still operated. We've got to see this to a peaceful conclusion. Almost peaceful won't do.