John Kerry flubs Good Morning America

Polipundit ^ | 9/29/04 | Polipundit

[finnman69]

GMA

John Kerry was apparently on Good Morning America and The Note snippets this baffling exchange:

DIANE SAWYER: Was the war in Iraq worth it?

JOHN KERRY: We should not have gone to war knowing the information that we know today.

DS: So it was not worth it.

JK: We should not — it depends on the outcome ultimately — and that depends on the leadership. And we need better leadership to get the job done successfully, but I would not have gone to war knowing that there was no imminent threat — there were no weapons of mass destruction — there was no connection of Al Qaeda — to Saddam Hussein! The president misled the American people — plain and simple. Bottom line.

DS: So if it turns out okay, it was worth it?

JK: No.

DS: But right now it wasn't?p>

JK: It was a mistake to do what he did, but we have to succeed now that we've done what he's — I mean look — we have to succeed. But was it worth — as you asked the question — $200 billion and taking the focus off of Osama bin Laden and Al Qaeda? That's the question. The test of the presidency was whether or not you should have gone to war to get rid of him. I think, had the inspectors continued, had we done other things — there were plenty of ways to keep the pressure on Saddam Hussein.

DS: But no way to get rid of him.

JK: Oh, sure there were. Oh, yes there were. Absolutely.

DS: So you're saying that today, even if Saddam Hussein were in power today it would be a better thing — you would prefer that . . .

JK: No, I would not prefer that. And Diane — don't twist here. Notice how Kerry loses his cool and accuses the questioner of twisting; Is this guy thin-skinned or what?

In tomorrow's debate, Kerry will benefit from lowered expectations because his image among voters is something of a caricature right now. But he still has to do better than he did on GMA. You can bet President Bush has a list of zingers that he will deploy if Kerry gives him an opening. Posted by PoliPundit at 10:09 am Link to this post | Comments (21)

[Peach]

This link which you posted in #170 :-)

Found this: http://www.factcheck.org/article.aspx?docID=203

It

[Peach]

"How much would you pay to hear President Bush — answering some point that Kerry has made — say, "Nice tan, by the way"?
-Jay Nordlinger, National Review Online

[freestyle]

Ok... Peach,

That is the statement that was partially disproven by the 9/11 commission. It turned out that it was not "a senior officer in Saddam's Fedayeen paramilitary forces". The commission did say it was an Iraqi national that was "met at" the airport.

This isn't what I'm worried about... I want to know who the "iraqi national" is and where it says he was connected to Saddaam... That would be GOOD evidence.

There are no conclusions on this out there that I can find.

[mombrown1]

Don't think so. Just a hard workin' scumbag.

[lugsoul]

You posted a transcript of him talking about the Atta matter as if that was the be all and end all of his statements about it - I posted one showing indisputably that your transcript was him backing off of - and, in fact, outright denying - the more emphatic statement he previously made about the link. It further demonstrates your difficulty with the truth. It is the same thing as your linking to the Weekly Standard article about the link, without even a mention of the later article from the SAME publication backing off of the link.

You can call childish names at pointing out your omissions all you like. Of course you have nothing to say about the demonstrated fact that you continue to push your cut and paste picture when you know that not all of your assertions are true. But concern for the truth is not something you exhibit.

[RayChuang88]

He can't speak without defining everything he says. It seems as if he thinks the general public is too stupid to understand him.

I think what could doom Senator Kerry in the debates tomorrow night is that he's now debating on a national stage, not just for the mostly-liberal Massachusetts population. As such, the way he speaks and the points he tries to make during the debate tomorrow night might not be to the liking of a national audience.

[justshutupandtakeit]

I never said it meant nothing but it did not mean he was aware of Atta's job any more than confirmation of his meeting in Prague meant the Iraqi knew exactly what was coming done the pike. Al Queda compartmentalized its operations and secrecy was widespread through out the organization.

Sounds like a smart gamble by Zubaidah but proves nothing in itself.

[justshutupandtakeit]

Well, you know how distinctive those names in the Middle East are. They would all be named John Smith in America.

[Arizona Carolyn]

I suppose Carvelle and Begalla are going to stand behind the moderator and hold up que cards tomorrow night -- or is he going to be miked like commentators on the news shows so they can tell him what to answer????

[justshutupandtakeit]

So it was an intelligence operative rather than a similiarly named military man. Big whoop.

That was not the first or last meeting between Iraqi operatives and al Queda in any case.

SecDef Cohen testified that the pharmacutical factory in the Sudan was a joint al Queda/Saddam operation as well.

[justshutupandtakeit]

The statement you posted about Atta was the strongest confirmation that Iraq was deeply involved with Al Queda not the backing away from earlier statements. They even discussed Salman Pak.

[charwel]

Mr. "wheelchair chaser" was two and 1/2 hours LATE for his speech to the pharmaceutical industry group in NJ yesterday. Over half left before he finally arrived, then he proceeds to deliver his speech about how drugs can be cheaper bought in Canada. Duh, does he even know that 3 major pharmaceutical companies ( Pfizer being one) are located in NJ, employing large numbers, executives, on down, who, would then have to do layoffs and cutbacks? I thought he was supposed to be smart? I knew it, just another pretty face!

[lugsoul]

Okay, right. First he said it was "pretty well confirmed" that Atta met with the Iraqis in Prague. Then, later, he said "we don't know one way or the other." And that's not backing off. Sure.

[Peach]

Oh, yes, luggui. Continue to make that distinction that Sharik wasn't Fedayeen but instead just an Iraqi national and Jordanian intelligence believe Shakir was Iraqi intelligence.

Oh, and you'll do what you always do. Act as though Jordan is lying. Everyone lies. Except you that is. Why, according to you, I'm even a Pakistani operative. LOL

Take those meds today. You'll feel much better.

[lugsoul]

It is a bit odd that you now so vehemently argue that the guy was Iraqi intelligence [while you like to note the position of Jordan on this question, why don't you ever mention what OUR intelligence thinks about it?], when you continue to post repeatedly that he was a "high ranking Fedayeen officer," which you know to be untrue.

I don't know whether he was Iraqi intel or not. I do know that you keep lying about him being a Fedayeen officer.

[Jim Noble]

Are you rooting for the Red Sox or the Yankees?

That depends on the outcome.

[Peach]

Luggie - you obviously can't read and didn't see some of my posts on this thread.

But keep it up. Your obsession is only proof that you need those meds. Now more than ever. Really.

[lugsoul]

Sure. Keep posting things you know to be untrue, and I'll keep pointing it out.

What's really funny is that you are so resistant to correcting your own untruths, yet you jump at the chance to attack my "unverified" information - from such shady sources as the White House. LOL.

[Peach]

Yawn.

You really can't read can you? That's just sad. We post links around here, not just unverified transcripts. But keep up the lies, luggie. Maybe call me a Pakistani operative again. It's providing my first morning laugh of the day.

[lugsoul]

"Maybe call me a Pakistani operative again."

That's about as accurate as your last "accusation" about me.

It's sad. I'll bet you really miss the truth, since it has been so long since y'all spent any time together.