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Kerry says Franco-German troops unlikely
Washington Times ^ | 10/06/04 | Stephen Dinan and Rowan Scarborough

Posted on 10/05/2004 11:01:05 PM PDT by kattracks

Democratic presidential nominee Sen. John Kerry conceded yesterday that he probably will not be able to convince France and Germany to contribute troops to Iraq if he is elected president.

The Massachusetts senator has made broadening the coalition trying to stabilize Iraq a centerpiece of his campaign, but at a town hall meeting yesterday, he said he knows other countries won't trade their soldiers' lives for those of U.S. troops.

"Does that mean allies are going to trade their young for our young in body bags? I know they are not. I know that," he said. Asked about that statement later, Mr. Kerry said, "When I was referring to that, I was really talking about Germany and France and some of the countries that had been most restrained." "Other countries are obviously more willing to accept responsibilities," he added, as he took questions from reporters in a school yard in Tipton, Iowa.

[snip]

 "Ambassador Bremer differed with the commanders in the field," campaign spokesman Brian Jones said. "That is his right, but the president has always said that he will listen to his commanders on the ground and give them the support they need for victory."


    National Security Council spokesman Sean McCormack declined to say what advice Mr. Bremer gave the president, but said Mr. Bush honored all requests from the "chain of command." Mr. McCormack described the chain of command as commanders in the field and Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld.
    "President Bush made it clear whatever commanders needed they were going to get and that is what happened," Mr. McCormack said.


(Excerpt) Read more at washtimes.com ...


TOPICS: Breaking News; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: axisofweasels; kerry; kerryforeignpolicy; kerrylies; napalminthemorning; rowanscarborough; wot
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To: kattracks

I am saddened, deeply saddened, that John Kerry is such an utter, miserable failure when it comes to building vast broad coalitions of yellow, spineless weasels.


21 posted on 10/06/2004 2:19:51 AM PDT by Recovering_Democrat (I'm so glad to no longer be associated with the Party of Dependence on Government!)
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To: Recovering_Democrat

I guess the French and Germans weren't among those "world leaders" who told Kerry they wanted him to win.


22 posted on 10/06/2004 3:15:24 AM PDT by kattracks
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To: kattracks

didn't take you saying so JKerry!!! We already KNEW THIS!!! You see, President Bush TRIED it already.!!!!!


23 posted on 10/06/2004 3:40:48 AM PDT by pollywog (Psalm 121;1 I Lift my eyes to the hills from whence cometh my help.)
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To: kattracks

BTTT


24 posted on 10/06/2004 3:46:07 AM PDT by Right_in_Virginia
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To: The KG9 Kid
Both of Kerry's major platform points about how he'd have 'done things differently' are shot down within 36 hours.

Which is why Kerry doesn't want to tell us what his big plans to fix everything are until after he's elected.

25 posted on 10/06/2004 3:56:19 AM PDT by kattracks
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To: kattracks
Way to go, Mr Diplomacy. Your little sideshow has managed to insult Poland Britain and Australia to the point they have publicly responded. You have encouraged our enemies in Afghanistan and Iraq by denigrating their brave leadership and brave soldiers who are sacrificing their lives for freedom.

As far as I'm concerned, the President's position expressed at last weeks debate was concise and unambiguous.

26 posted on 10/06/2004 4:02:53 AM PDT by DaveMSmith (One Day at A Time || Blue Angel in PJs)
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To: kattracks
What about Franco-AMERICAN troops?


27 posted on 10/06/2004 4:57:52 AM PDT by Rutles4Ever ("...upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.")
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To: Rutles4Ever

WOW! BUSH NEEDS TO REMEMBER THIS FOR THE FRIDAY!


28 posted on 10/06/2004 5:30:24 AM PDT by b2stealth
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To: kattracks

So what's left for Kerry's allies? Does Kerry intend to hand out government contracts to those unwilling to commit troops?


29 posted on 10/06/2004 5:34:04 AM PDT by keats5
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To: kattracks
You mean to tell me his diplomatic charm is not helping bring others to our side? But, he's so skillful! Has so much credibility in the world!

Let's review his "skills"...
1. Calls Bush's "Coalition of the willing" the "Coalition of the bribed and coerced."
2. Sends sister to tell COALITION PARTNER Australia, ahead of Australian election, that working with America has made Australia LESS SAFE, more likely to be target.
3. Says IRAQ's Prime Minister is a LYING PUPPET.
4. Suggets he can vouch for France & Germany participating if he wins. France & Germany say, in effect, "WTF? Go to hell, Kerry!"
5. DEMEANS LOSSES of 800 Iraqi and COALITION forces.
6. ANGERS PARTNER POLAND with denigrating comments.
7. Proposes solution on Iran... Iran says, basically, "GO AWAY we don't want foreign energy DEPENDENCE like America has."
8. Can't explain how a "Global test" does not equal "Global VETO."
9. Uses Gulf War I coalition as example of DOING IT RIGHT, but hides that he voted AGAINST that very coalition when he had the opportunity.

Wow. And I've only scratched the surface. He's doing FABULOUSLY!

The man attempts to conduct policy from a point of HINDSIGHT rather than FORESIGHT.

30 posted on 10/06/2004 5:37:44 AM PDT by newzjunkey (Why are we in Iraq? Just point the whiners here: http://www.massgraves.info)
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To: river rat
The realization that close to 50% of Americans can seriously consider this traitorous, lying, U.N. worshiping poseur as Commander in Chief ----- is shocking...

Couldn't agree more. This has probably done more to discourage me as I look toward the future than anything.

31 posted on 10/06/2004 5:37:58 AM PDT by twigs
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To: Soul Seeker
So Kerry has finally conceded to the reality is overwhelming presence isn't enough to bring France and germany along for the ride?

Another Kerry Plan in retreat ...

32 posted on 10/06/2004 5:38:42 AM PDT by af_vet_1981
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To: kattracks; Owl_Eagle; Peach; Mudboy Slim; 4ConservativeJustices; cyncooper
"Does that mean allies are going to trade their young for our young in body bags? I know they are not. I know that," he said. Asked about that statement later, Mr. Kerry said, "When I was referring to that, I was really talking about Germany and France and some of the countries that had been most restrained." "Other countries are obviously more willing to accept responsibilities," he added...

Let's see, we already have the U.K., Australia, Poland, Italy, and more than two dozen other countries with troops on the ground, plus other countries are supplying intelligence and logistical support (and possibly financial, as well). Then we have France and Germany saying they won't send troops, no matter who is in the White House.

So who is left? Is Kerry promising to get the Belgians on our side? Lichtenstein? Andorra? Who? And without this self-delusional fantasy masquerading as a foreign-policy substitute for the Bush Doctrine, what does Kerry have left to hang his hat on?

And lastly, why did Kerry admit this after the foreign policy debate given the fact that the Germans and French made their positions public the week before? Someone needs to pose that question to Kerry in a public forum and make him squirm for all the electorate to see

But of course, we know his answer to these and all other questions: HALLIBURTON!!!!

33 posted on 10/06/2004 5:57:05 AM PDT by HenryLeeII (sultan88, R.I.P.)
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To: dc-zoo

All Kerry has to do is promise to place these Franco-German troops on the Israeli border. With the correct "blame the Joos" strategy, the French and Germans are bound to help.


34 posted on 10/06/2004 6:08:25 AM PDT by ohioman
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To: newzjunkey
Great list! I just copied your list, and pasted it into a file folder to save for my November women's group's newsletter (comes out on the 10th of each month).

The title, "More Reasons Why W Won"

;-)

35 posted on 10/06/2004 6:14:36 AM PDT by NordP (We're Mad As Zell, and We're Not Going To Take Your Liberalism Anymore!)
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To: Howlin
Can somebody explain that to me?

Translation:

"I am a liberal/pacifist/transnational progressive who plans to hand America the same ignominious defeat I helped engineer in Vietnam, while at the same time abandoning hundreds of thousands of Iraqis to slaughter by jihadists, just as the Cambodians were slaughtered through my efforts -- but you, my MSM enablers, know damn well I can't say that, so spin this."

36 posted on 10/06/2004 6:22:56 AM PDT by browardchad
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To: kattracks

Build a wider coalition before the war, build a wider coalition after the war, blah blah blah. Who? Who are they talking about when they say that? Does anyone truly believe that France, Germany and Russia would have come aboard with more Kerry UN debates, instead of the 2 year 12 UN resolutions "rush to war" with which they label our effort? We all know why they didn't participate, because they had tons of $$$ at stake with their business dealings with Saddam and with the UN corruption. They didn't have the fortitude to do what was right then and they still don't. Who is Kerry kidding?


37 posted on 10/06/2004 6:29:06 AM PDT by truthchaser
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To: kattracks
Who are these other countries, Mr. Kerry?
38 posted on 10/06/2004 6:33:22 AM PDT by stocksthatgoup (illegitimo noncarborundium)
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To: kattracks

Thanks for posting this. BTT!


39 posted on 10/06/2004 6:43:04 AM PDT by MNJohnnie (Vote Bush 2004-We cannot survive a 9-10 President in a 9-11 World)
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To: kattracks
Maybe we can get Elbonia to help.

They are a friendly staunch ally.

40 posted on 10/06/2004 6:45:53 AM PDT by machman
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