Posted on 09/29/2004 5:40:10 AM PDT by Michael Goldsberry
WASHINGTON - On the eve of a foreign policy debate with President Bush (news - web sites), Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry (news - web sites) said in an interview that his explanation of why he voted in favor of additional funding for the war in Iraq (news - web sites) before voting against it was "one of those inarticulate moments" in the campaign.
Kerry ultimately voted against providing $87 billion for military operations and aid in Iraq and Afghanistan (news - web sites). Although he initially supported the appropriation when it was to be funded at least in part by rolling back tax cuts for those with the highest incomes, Kerry said he ended up voting against the final version of the bill in the Senate as a protest over its funding, which included no-bid contracts.
Bush has criticized Kerry throughout the campaign for the vote, which the president says shows a lack of support for troops in the field. Bush has mocked Kerry for saying, "I actually did vote for the $87 billion before I voted against it."
"It was just a very inarticulate way of saying something and I had one of those inarticulate moments," Kerry said in an interview broadcast Wednesday on "Good Morning America" on ABC. "But it reflects the truth of the position ... I thought that the wealthiest people of America should share in that burden. It was a protest."
Kerry rejected Bush's assertion that he would prefer that Saddam Hussein (news - web sites) still be in power in Iraq and repeated his contention that Bush had misled the nation about the nature of the threat the Iraqi dictator posed.
"We should not have gone into Iraq knowing today what we know," Kerry told ABC. "Knowing there was no imminent threat to America, knowing there were no weapons of mass destruction, knowing there was no connection between 9/11 and Saddam Hussein, I would not have voted to support war."
Kerry was among the senators who voted to authorize Bush to use force against Iraq and has said he would still vote for authorization so that the president could put pressure on Saddam to allow more inspections for weapons. However, the Bush campaign characterizes Kerry's position as an example of vacillation and indecision.
The police always say "if you draw your weapon you'd better be prepared to use it." Kerry's statement that he voted for the authorization only to threaten Saddam is just stupid.
He was freaking protesting? HOW DARE HE EVEN THINK OF PROTESTING ANYTHING WHEN IT COMES TO FUNDING OUR TROOPS! And he has the nerve to call himself a hero! He's a traitor to our country and should be treated as such!
There was nothing "inacticulate" about a Schizo voting reocord than alsmot any voter can see is illegical at best.
Kerry's lack of articulation just means he cannot explain his way out of an intenable voting position where no logicical explantion (beyond the expediancy of the specific day)exists.
and that would be the theme of a Kerry adminsitration: drip drip flip flip,
FoxNews has a video of lurch saying in a Town Hall type meeting (filmed during the dim primary), that he had to make the decision (to vote against the 87 billion) for "political reasons"! You can bet this will be in a new commercial!
ABC radio news had lurch stating this morning that the "people" would like to see "his" opponent "solving their problems", instead of clearing brush at his Ranch... this from senator " snow-board, windsurfer, security committee slacker, girley-man liar bastard!!!
LLS
And his treasonous activities during the 70s were "protests" too.
How sick that he won't see that throwing a hissy because he wants to raise taxes is not a valid reason to vote to leave our military dangling in the breeze...
Where's the referral to sKerry's own words. He said it would be totally irresponsible for a Senator to not vote to fund the war effort, two weeks later he did just that.
It should make a great TV ad, say around Oct 20 or so, LOL.
HUH? I've sure seen a whole lotta wacking going on.
All year long FReepers were complaining about Bush not fighting back. Of course he just kept his powder dry for the fall.
I'd say sKerry got wacked real good at the Convention. Zell Miller comes to mind.
Stay tuned the wacking will build all next month, I'd bet on it.
Considering sKerry is senator no-show in the senate, he has no room to talk.
Kerry flip flops on his positions so often, there is no way you can trust him to carry through on any of his current promises in the future.
"inarticulate moments" Story of Kerrey's life!
Kerry's
"I thought that the wealthiest people of America should share in that burden. It was a protest."
Don't the top 50% of wage earners already pay 90% of the taxes? What part of 90% isn't enough sharing?? Why shoud we further burden the productive members or our society?? So we can be like england was and have the top bracket something over 100% so that all the productive people leave the country?? That'll solve the problem won't it???
"Knowing there was no imminent threat to America, knowing there were no weapons of mass destruction, knowing there was no connection between 9/11 and Saddam Hussein, I would not have voted to support war."
1) Since we have discovered Saddam WAS funding Al-Queda, there is NO reason to believe that there was "no imminent threat" to America.
2) We have found weapons of mass destruction:
3) as previously stated, documentation has been found that Saddam financed Al-Queda and helped them with wome training. If that's not a "connection" what is???
He also apparently blame it on being tired late at night. They left that out of this report because it contradicts the fact that the comment was made at noon. The media will do anything to hide Kerry's flaws. If the race isn't close, they can't go on the air breathlessly each night. People may stay tuned if it's too close to call. They may not bother if it's "see how big a landslide it will be".
Is anyone counting his flip-flops? I tried but lost track weeks ago.
Now that would be a good job for someone like dan blather, the chief of forgeries.
You just gave a reason for it NOT to be blather.
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