Kerry: ‘I Was Wrong' On Iraq

CNSNews.com ^ | June 13, 2006 | Nathan Burchfiel

[fuyb]

Washington, D.C. (CNSNews.com) - U.S. Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts on Tuesday told an audience at the liberal Take Back America conference that he was sorry for voting to authorize the war in Iraq, calling the entire mission "a mistake."

"We were misled, we were given evidence that was not true," Kerry said. "It was wrong, and I was wrong to vote [for it]."

Kerry, who led an unsuccessful bid for the presidency in 2004, said it was necessary to admit mistakes because "you cannot change the future if you''re not honest about the past." He criticized supporters of the war, who label anti-war activists and politicians as unpatriotic and pessimistic.

"The true pessimists are those who will not accept that America''s strength depends on our credibility at home and around the world," Kerry said. "The true pessimists are those who do not understand that valuing our principles is critical to our national security and it is as critical to our national security as our military power itself."

He said questioning the war and fighting in it are "two sides of the very same patriotic coin" and compared the modern anti-war movement to the anti-war movement in the Vietnam War. Kerry, who served in Vietnam, returned to the United States and offered testimony to Congress, opposing the war and describing horrific war crimes he said soldiers committed there.

He said opposing the war is "a right and an obligation" because it was "founded on a lie [and] can never be true to America''s character."

Kerry also lashed out at war supporters who accuse anti-war activists of not supporting the troops. "The best way to support the troops is to oppose a course that destroys their lives," he said.

Kerry renewed his call for a withdrawal of troops from Iraq, saying that he supports setting a timetable for the removal in Iraq that is not "cut and run." Without saying when he would like troops removed from the war zone, Kerry said he believes "we need a hard and fast deadline."

Kerry made his comments during a speech at the annual Take Back America conference in the nation''s capital. Organized by the liberal Campaign for America''s Future, the conference has also feature U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton and U.S. House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi. U.S. Sens. Russ Feingold and Barack Obama are scheduled to appear Wednesday.

A spokesman for the Republican National Committee was not immediately available for reaction to Kerry''s comments.

[Question Liberal Authority]

I lost track.... is this a flip or a flop?

I think it's a nuance.

[Peach]

Hy, Christian. I do so hope that the GOP makes a commercial using those quotes. His flip flops are legendary.

[Fenris6]

"We were misled, we were given evidence that was not true," Kerry said. "It was wrong, and I was wrong to vote [for it]."

What lie? WMDs? That wasn't a lie and hasn't been proven as such. At least Kerry admits he's too stupid to understand the intelligence reports put in face - assuming he wasn't off skiing in Davos, per usual.

Thus begins another Kerry shift from "John Rambo who served in Nam" to "Hanoi John". He can't take down the Swifties in 08, so he has to tack far Left.

[areafiftyone]

[Let's Roll]

Great timing, moron - no wonder tahrayza always looks so unhappy.

[hsalaw]

What a looney-toon.

[Cricklewood]

I shall not further dignify this worm's existence by posting a response..

[debg]

Um, maybe cuz they didn't bother calling.

[Christian4Bush]

The key word is IMMEDIATELY. You're leaving that out of your analysis, aren't you? And what's your point, anyway? That the Republicans have to instantly respond to anything that the Democrats say or you'll type a complaint in 24 pt bold type?

First of all, when I want your snarky opinion, I'll give it to you. I can type in any damn size typeface I feel like, and if the Mods pull it, then I won't do it again.

Second of all, stupid anti-American tripe such as was spewed by Mr. Kerry at this conference, needs to be refuted...especially when he made comments contrary to his statement today, before Bush was ever president.

So take the advice of your name, dog, and be gone.

[Grampa Dave]

[GOPJ]

How soon before he changes his tune?

[pointsal]

Was this a flip or a flop on Kerry's new position?

Maybe he should just choose to be RIGHT....and the general public can just choose whatever position that fits....

[Grampa Dave]

[DCPatriot]

Actually the guy is getting my juices flowing again.

He has no idea what an a$$hole he is.

I get seconds of mirth from that!

[Smartass]

 

[Fenris6]

In hindsight, disbanding the Iraqi army, purging the Iraqi governmental apparatus at the behest of the Shi'ites, and not committing enough soldiers to the occupation seem to have been mistakes according to the experts...

Feh. If we had done all those things, we still would have made entirely different mistakes: Baathists in the Iraqi Army massacre Shia and the "experts" would instead complain that we should have disbanded the Iraqi Army blah blah blah. Etc ad nausem.

[DCPatriot]

Ya know...him strumming isn't too much a stretch there.

;^)

[GOPJ]

Ping to some great cartoons.

[Grampa Dave]

[Fenris6]

Second of all, stupid anti-American tripe such as was spewed by Mr. Kerry at this conference, needs to be refuted...especially when he made comments contrary to his statement today, before Bush was ever president

Agreed. The only reason Kerry's ilk gets away with the "war based on a lie" bs is because no one has pounded them on it. A little Defense would be nice.