The position Kerry has staked out on Iraq cannot be rationalized to anyone that is serious. Each interview is a wealth of material for new RNC campaign ads.
When I was in the 6th grade in addition to Latin we had an english class where we drilled extensively on writing precis summaries. Although it refers to writing,this is an excellent description of how Kerry should have been articulating his positions. In all likeliehood he is incapable of doing these rules:
http://academic.evergreen.edu/curricular/eduvalues/precis.htm
Tips for Writing a Précis
by Constance DeVereaux
A well-written précis should be a serviceable substitute for the original work. The goal is to preserve the core essence of the work in a manner that is both clear and concise. At a minimum, the précis should include the topic or main thesis, the purpose of the research, what was studied, what methods were used, what results (or insight) were gained, and a conclusion. This guide provides tips and includes links to two sample papers, one on fetal protection policies and the other on James L. Sundquist and constitutional reform.
Goals of the Précis
Compress and clarify a lengthy passage, article, or book, while retaining important concepts, key words, and important data.
Remove what is superfluous and retain the core essence of the work.
Give a brief description of key terms
Give a brief description of methods an idea of the general approach used by the researchers.
State the purpose of the research or piece of writing (why was it important to conduct this research or write on this topic?)
When finished, the précis should clearly state:
This is what was studied (argued, discussed).
This is how it was done (this was the focus).
This is what was learned.
This is what it means (why it is important).