Kerry, Bush spar over 'Mission accomplished'

The Washington Post ^ | September 27, 2004 | Lois Romano and Mike Allen

[justaboutanybody]

MADISON, WIS. -- Sen. John Kerry excoriated President Bush on Sunday for saying that he had no regrets about his declaration more than a year ago that the mission in Iraq was accomplished, when the country continues to be in a state of war.

"I will never be a president who just says, 'Mission accomplished.' I will get the mission accomplished," Kerry told a couple of hundred supporters who greeted him in Madison before he went to a Spring Green resort to prepare for a presidential debate Thursday.

Kerry was referring to an interview Bush gave Bill O'Reilly of Fox News in which O'Reilly asked Bush if he would still do the carrier landing on the USS Abraham Lincoln beneath the "Mission Accomplished" banners. At the time, 17 months ago, Bush had referred to Iraq as a "victory" and declared an end to major combat there.

"Absolutely," the president replied in the interview, to air on today's "O'Reilly Factor." O'Reilly, apparently surprised, replied, "You would?"

"Of course," Bush said. "I'm saying to the troops, on this carrier and elsewhere, 'Thanks for serving America.' Absolutely. And by the way, those sailors and airmen loved seeing the commander in chief. ... You bet I'd do it again."

In Madison, Kerry held a rally on the tarmac and ridiculed Bush for "insisting that the situation [in Iraq] is improving, that freedom is on the march. ... The president continues to live in a fantasy world of spin."

Kerry's running mate, Sen. John Edwards, also mocked Bush on Sunday, telling 1,500 raucous supporters in Lewiston, Maine, that "these people are so out of touch."

[Soaring Feather]

bump

[fortheDeclaration]

Yea, maybe thats what Kerry means by 'mission accompished', he would sell us out like he did in Vietnam.

[fortheDeclaration]

but but but but...Paula Zahn said she swoons over John Kerry in a wetsuit

I guess Paula hasn't seen many men

[GOP-Pat]

I am so tired of hearing the dems talk about the Mission Accomplished banner. These sailors had been gone more than a year. They were coming home. Their mission WAS accomplished.

Also, MAJOR combat WAS over.

[E.G.C.]

BTT!!!!!!!

[jonrick46]

Kerry would never reward our brave men for a mission accomplished. He hates the military, hates the men and women who serve in the military and hates the idea that the military takes so much money away from the socialist takeover of Amarica. Kerry hates the military so much that it has left him with very noticeable mental problems. It is a hate to the very core of his socialist existence.

[jonrick46]

Kerry would never reward our brave men for a mission accomplished. He hates the military, hates the men and women who serve in the military and hates the idea that the military takes so much money away from the socialist takeover of America. Kerry hates the military so much that it has left him with very noticeable mental problems. It is a hate to the very core of his socialist existence.

[savedbygrace]

Bush did not say "mission accomplished". In the interveiw Bush said that the banner referred to the aircraft carrier having accomplished it's mission.

I didn't see the interview.

Why not write to Lois Romano and Mike Allen of the Washington Post and ask them why they failed to mention that in their cute little piece here?

[xzins]

If I recall, the "Mission Accomplished" sign referred to the mission of that particular carrier that had participated in the liberation of Iraq.

In fact, their mission had been accomplished.

To deny them that is to intentionally inflict injury on that crew.

To be greeted, applauded, thanked, and welcomed by the Commander in Chief was a tremendous morale boost for that crew. He did it for them. However, we mustn't forget...he is the Commander in Chief. If he desires to visit any warship, any installation, or even the tiniest encampment, then that is his authority.

[BenLurkin]

You can count on it.

[OXENinFLA]

Zima with a straw

[plain talk]

I will get the mission accomplished

How could he possibly do this when he doesn't even understand the overall mission and the specific phase of the mission that was accomplished by President Bush?

[OXENinFLA]

Zima with a straw

OMG! There's another one!

[Yardstick]

If all were well in America, this one photo op would be sufficient to completely doom the Kerry campaign.

[RottiBiz]

Great information, Tonk! Thanks.

Been wondering what the exact troop numbers are.

Canada is conspicuous in its absence -- not even political support!

Canadians should be very ashamed of their government. We can no longer consider Canada a friend.

[RottiBiz]

Excellent article -- thanks.

[VRWCmember]

Kerry excoriated President Bush on Sunday for saying that he had no regrets about his declaration more than a year ago that the mission in Iraq was accomplished, when the country continues to be in a state of war.

Not to be a nit-picker or anything, but there are a couple of items that are inaccurate here.

First, President Bush did not declare the mission in Iraq was accomplished. He declared an end to major military operations. In other words, the Hussein regime in Iraq had been toppled, the war against the regime was over because the regime was destroyed. Perhaps a nuanced mind like Kerry's can't grasp simple distinctions like that.
Second, the "Mission Accomplished" banner on the ship referred to the mission of that particular carrier, which HAD accomplished its mission. Again, the "mission accomplished" was not referring to the overall Iraq mission, and at no time did President Bush imply that the conflict was over.

[DTogo]

I hope Bush hangs another "Mission Accomplished" banner behind him on November 3rd when he accepts his re-ELECTION.