Statement By RNC Chairman Ken Mehlman On John Kerry's Appearance On Meet The Press

Republican National Committee ^ | January 30, 2005

[RWR8189]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Brian Jones
202-863-8614

“On a day when all Americans, regardless of party affiliation, are celebrating the growth of freedom and honoring the sacrifices of American and Iraqi troops with elections in Iraq, it's sad that John Kerry has chosen once again to offer vacillation and defeatism. Even after the first free elections in Iraq in more than 50 years John Kerry still believes Iraq is more of terrorist threat than when the brutal tyrant Saddam Hussein was in power and even more remarkably Kerry is now once again for funding our troops, after being for the funding before he was against it.”
-Ken Mehlman, RNC Chairman

Kerry And Saddam Hussein And Terror Threat:

In Interview Today, Kerry Said Iraq Is More Of A Terrorist Threat Than Two Years Ago. NBC’s TIM RUSSERT: “Do you believe that Iraq is less a terrorist threat to the United States now than it was two years ago?” KERRY: No, it's more. And, in fact, I believe the world is less safe today than it was two and a half years ago.” (NBC’s “Meet The Press,” 1/30/05)

But Kerry Later Said In Same Interview: America Is Safer With Newly Elected Iraqi Government  And “I Am Glad Saddam Hussein Is Gone And I Have Said That 100 Times.” NBC’s TIM RUSSERT: “Is the United States safer with the newly elected Iraqi government than we would have been with Saddam Hussein?” KERRY: “Sure. I am glad Saddam Hussein is gone and I have said that 100 times.” (NBC’s “Meet The Press,” 1/30/05)

• But In September 2004, Kerry Said We Are “Less Safe” Because Of The Removal Of Saddam Hussein. KERRY: “The War on Terror was al Qaeda, Osama bin Laden, and Afghanistan. And he took his eye off that ball, transferred troops up from under General Frank[s] -- even before he had the permission of the Congress -- and began to do the build-up for Iraq. And that has been, as I said yesterday in my speech, an enormous diversion from the War on Terror, and it has in fact, in my judgment, the judgment of many, many experts, made America less safe -- there are more incidents of terrorism around the world. There are more incidences of terror against our troops in Iraq.” (Sen. John F. Kerry, Press Conference, 9/21/04)
  
• In September 2004, Kerry Also Said That The Removal Of Saddam Hussein Had Left America “Less Secure.” KERRY: “Saddam Hussein was a brutal dictator who deserves his own special place in hell. But that was not, that was not in and of itself, a reason to go to war. The satisfaction – The satisfaction that we take in his downfall does not hide this fact: we have traded a dictator for a chaos that has left America less secure.” (Sen. John Kerry, Remarks At New York University, New York, NY, 9/20/04)
  
• In December 2003, Kerry Said “Our Problems In Iraq Have Not Been Caused By One Man.” “This is a great day for U.S. forces, the Iraqi people, and the world. Capturing Saddam Hussein and ensuring that this brutal dictator will never return to power is an important step towards stabilizing Iraq for the Iraqis. Let’s also be clear: Our problems in Iraq have not been caused by one man and this is a moment when the administration can and must launch a major effort to gain international support and win the peace.” (Sen. John Kerry, “Statement On The Capture Of Saddam Hussein,” Press Release, 12/14/03)
  
• In December 2003, Kerry Said Capture Of Saddam Did Not Help Homeland Security. “Saddam Hussein’s capture is a great tribute to the skill and bravery of the U.S. Armed Forces … but September 11th showed us that danger isn’t only found in distant deserts, but in this age, it is unfortunately confronted here at home … The Bush administration is tinkering while the clock on homeland security is ticking.” (Holly Ramer, “Kerry Proposes Port Protections,” The Associated Press, 12/17/03)

Kerry And Iraq Supplemental:

Today Kerry Said He Would Vote For $80 Billion To Fund The War In Iraq And Afghanistan. NBC’s TIM RUSSERT: “President Bush is asking for $80 billion more for the war in Iraq and Afghanistan. Will you vote to authorize that $80 billion?” KERRY: “The likelihood is yes, providing that they do some of the things that I have been talking about with respect to the training and so forth. There are indications that they probably will.” (NBC’s “Meet The Press,” 1/30/05)

Kerry Was One Of Only Four US Senators Who Voted For The Use Of Force Resolution Against Iraq And Against The $87 Billion Supplemental Supporting Our Troops. (H. J. Res. 114, CQ Vote #237: Passed 77-23: R 48-1; D 29-21; I 0-1, 10/11/02, Kerry Voted Yea; S. 1689, CQ Vote #400: Passed 87-12: R 50-0; D 37-11; I 0-1, 10/17/03, Kerry Voted Nay; Other Senators Include Sens. Fritz Hollings [D-SC] And Tom Harkin [D-IA]; And John Edwards [D-NC])

• Kerry Had Previously Said It Would Be “Irresponsible” To Vote Against Funding Troops. “I don’t think any United States senator is going to abandon our troops and recklessly leave Iraq to whatever follows as a result of simply cutting and running. That’s irresponsible.” (CBS’ “Face The Nation,” 9/14/03)
  
• Kerry Later Claimed: “I Actually Did Vote For The $87 Billion Before I Voted Against It.” (Sen. John Kerry, Speech In Huntington, WV, 3/16/04)

[sinkspur]

Even Democrats are ignoring Kerry. Teddy overshadowed his "coming out day" on Thursday, and the successful elections overshadow Kerry's "coming out interview".

And, he still flips and flops, even when it's not politically necessary.

[Peach]

I see that Kerry contradicted himself within a few minutes of Russert's easy questioning. LOL

[mewzilla]

Jean Francois was flip-flopping faster than a freshly landed fish.

[montag813]

I love the rapid response team of the RNC. Clinton's "War Room" had nothing on these guys...kudos!

[CDHart]

BTTT!

[mewzilla]

And was it just my boob tube, or were Jean Francois' hands about ten shades paler than his orange face?

[fairtrader]

JF'nK What a LOSER !

[billorites]

I'd like to see Kerry on TV every Sunday.

[TomGuy]

Kerry never found the side of an issue he wouldn't take.

How many other men in history have had the courage and wherewithal to come down on every side of an issue?

The trouble is, you gotta stand for something or you will fall for anything.

[who knows what evil?]

LOTS of long faces around town here in the People's Republic of East Vermont (formerly known as New Hampshire) today. I love it.

[billorites]

"And was it just my boob tube, or were Jean Francois' hands about ten shades paler than his orange face?"

Man Tan?

[Peach]

He's a flouder. LOL

[Txsleuth]

Whenever I have been looking at the pictures on FR from the elections, I have particulary notices all of the children.

I would tell Mr. Kerry, that if he believes that getting rid of Saddam did NOT make us safer, then what would he say the chances are of these kids growing up to be terrorists with or without democracy/freedom.

I think President Bush has made it clear from the beginning that the Bush Doctrine is for now AND long term change so that the children will grow up NOT hating Jews and Christians and Americans and British---

[SandRat]

Hey Tonk!

Ya gotta see this one on sKerry.

[mewzilla]

LOL. Must be. You'd think after the last time he'd learn. It looked really goony.

[Theresawithanh]

"I'd like to see Kerry on TV every Sunday."

With respect for you and your post, and fully understanding why you posted it, I'd like to see Kerry, AND Teddy, ousted from the Senate by the people of MA, and never heard from again!

[silverleaf]

Why would the MSM even put Kerry up as a talking head-counterweight to the Bush adminstrartion on such a day as this? Has the MSM decided to hang Kerry out to dry in his own vomitous illogical posturing and to start working for the President?

[West Coast Conservative]

Who's John Kerry?

[smonk]

wow. I see that the RNC is still in "rapid response mode".