Kerry Continues to Criticize Bush on War

NewsMax ^ | 4/9/2003 | Fr. Michael Reilly

[Hugenot]

NewsMax.com's religion editor Fr. Michael Reilly says that Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry's decision to court the antiwar vote may turn out to be smart politics.

Campaigning in Iowa, Sen. John Kerry is accusing the Bush administration of jumping the gun in Iraq and missing an opportunity to resolve the nuclear standoff in North Korea.

"Had they really been interested in doing this differently, they could have not ratcheted up the troops to the level that they did as early as they did," the Massachusetts Democrat insists, according to the Boston Herald.

"They could have allowed France and others to exhaust their questions, they could've gone into the fall, [they] could've done a whole bunch of things, meanwhile [they] could've paid attention to North Korea, [and] probably have resolved that and then moved forward."

Conventional wisdom dictates that Kerry should tread lightly on the antiwar rhetoric, especially after the backlash over his claim that the U.S needed "regime change" as much as Iraq.

But the Bay State liberal is banking on the fact that almost all the opposition to the war is concentrated among Democratic primary voters - and the gamble seems to be paying off.

Sens. Joe Lieberman and John Edwards have each staked out a more moderate stance towards the war. And they're paying the price for their mainstream views as the party's peaceniks look elsewhere.

While Lieberman slips in the polls and Edwards finds himself heckled by antiwar demonstrators, Kerry has been courting the votes of the antiwar liberals who have the power to deliver the presidential nomination.

He understands that the nineteen months between now and Election Day 2004 is a political eternity.

By then, the war is likely to be a distant memory, just like the first Gulf War was for President Bush's father in 1992.

Remember "It's the economy, stupid?"

[yooper]

Kerry's campaign is DOA. He doesn't get it.

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[Bluntpoint]

What did Bush know about Kerry making an ass of himself and when did he know it?

[MinuteGal]

Yep, Lurch has to focus on the primary or he's outta business altogether.

Good! Let him shoot off his mouth so the RNC has plenty of his quotes on file for ads in the general election.

Leni

[plain talk]

meanwhile [they] could've paid attention to North Korea, [and] probably have resolved that and then moved forward."

With this single naive statement, Kerry proves he's isn't up to the job. There is no resolving N. Korea except by force OR possibly by letting the Chinese take a crack at it. N. Korea is more of a lost cause than Iraq ever was. Kerry also has some of the worst timing in a political candidate I've ever seen.

[Freedom'sWorthIt]

Just heard on Boortz a commentary that N.K. leaders have put a cork in their "nuke the US" rhetoric today ---- perhaps "sobered" by seeing the statue of their fellow Stalinist being pulled to the ground. It may only be a one day respite - but for today he said they had "sobered" up their reckless talk. A shame Kerry hasn't sobered up yet.

[aristeides]

Remember "It's the economy, stupid?"

I remember. I also remember that Bill Clinton (and Al Gore) had the political smarts not to give the Republicans an issue by opposing the '91 Gulf War.

[litany_of_lies]

The analysis is correct as far as getting the Dem nomination. That process is controlled by radicals, who cannot countenance anyone who says anything positive about Bush, the war, and the economy, or who is in any way pro-life or anti-quota.

I believe Kerry, Dean, and Kucinich are the current front-runners, and will continue to be. Edwards, Lieberman, and the other slightly moderates are toast. Sharpton is a sideshow.

Enter Hillary--If the party as a whole senses an overwhelming humiliation if either of the three leaders is nominated, and if she thinks she has a chance of winning the general election, Hillary will enter the race as a "moderate savior" (waving her Iraqi War support like a hanky to prove her moderate credentials to the lapdog mainstream press). She may even enter if the situation is hopeless, if she thinks her candidacy is the only thing preventing a filibuster-proof GOP majority in the Senate (although doing something for the good of the party that makes her look bad would be a bit out of character).

[Jim Noble]

In for a penny, in for a pound, I guess.

He's DOA.

[aristeides]

Is Kim Jong-Il still in hiding? I heard a few days ago that he hadn't made a public appearance since the War on Iraq started.

[God luvs America]

If you ever wanted to know how to nail yourself into a coffin just plot Kerry's actions the past three weeks.... what a bafoon!

[Freedom'sWorthIt]

Good question. Perhaps he is still in hiding. Or perhaps the Chinese secret police took him out? Who knows!

[Reagan Man]

>>> ... Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry's decision to court the antiwar vote may turn out to be smart politics.

It's only smart politics within the Democratic Party. Even if Kerry is fortunate enough to secure the liberal party nomination, he will never beat President Bush in the general election.

[Jim Noble]

You are correct.

It's all a setup for HRC. She cannot win the nomination in the primaries, and she cannot risk uncloaking as the real candidate before July 28, 2004-in fact that may be too early or her.

As soon as we know she's it, the truth squads will surge into action, RNC fundraising will quintuple, many issues she does not want to address will surface.

I have thought that she will cause a stooge (Edwards, for example) to be nominated and then Arkancide him, but that may be too risky.

She will work to cripple the "winner", whether before or after the convention, and then step in as the savior of the party.

Bet on it.

[Beck_isright]

Too bad I'm not good with one of those paintshop programs. This would be a perfect opportunity to paint a picture of Kerry flying a Kamikaze plane. Because he's heading for the drink with his tail on fire. What a schmuck.

V

[John Valentine]

He's back and he more rabid than ever.

Now he is saying that he no longer wants a non-agression treaty with the United States, that only nuclear weapons can guarnatee North Korea's security. NK now claims that the UN, diplomacy, negotiations, etc., are only a preparation for eventual war. That's the lesson they say thay have taken from Iraq.

We better get ready to strap on iron, it's coming.

[meyer]

Screw Kerry and Screw France. Enemies!

[Only1choice____Freedom]

More

Wa.

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From the Democratic Guard.

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