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Kerry Lashes Out at Republican Criticisms
Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry lashed out at top congressional Republicans on Friday after they assailed him for saying the United States, like Iraq, needs a regime change. "The Republicans have tried to make a practice of attacking anybody who speaks out strongly by questioning their patriotism," the Massachusetts senator said in a telephone interview with The Associated Press. "I refuse to have my patriotism or right to speak out questioned. I fought for and earned the right to express my views in this country."
However, you did make an odious statement, Johnny.
In a speech Wednesday in Peterborough, N.H., Hair-boy Kerry said Bush so alienated allies prior to the U.S.-led war against Iraq that only a new president can rebuild damaged relationships with other countries.
We didn't alienate them, they alienated us.
"What we need now is not just a regime change in Saddam Hussein and Iraq, but we need a regime change in the United States," Kerry said.
That's the odious part.
Several leading Republicans said Kerry's comments were inappropriate with U.S. troops fighting in Iraq. Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, R-Tenn., said the statement amounted to "petty, partisan insults launched solely for personal political gain." House Majority Leader Tom DeLay, R-Texas, called Kerry's words "desperate and inappropriate." Said House Speaker Dennis Hastert, R-Ill., "Once this war is over, there will be plenty of time for the next election."
| So they weren't impugning his vaunted patriotism, but his judgment. |
Kerry dismissed the attacks, telling an Atlanta political gathering Thursday that patriotism is not mutually exclusive with questioning the war. One day later, he delivered an even sharper rebuke to the GOP complaints. "If they want to pick a fight, they've picked a fight with the wrong guy," Kerry said in a telephone interview.
The wrong guy because he won't get the nomination?
The lawmaker said this round of charges and countercharges is not the first time Republicans have made a "phony issue of patriotism." He cited last year's campaign against former Georgia Democratic Sen. Max Cleland, who lost both legs and an arm in the Vietnam War.
Republicans didn't question Mr. Cleland's patriotism, they pointed out his lack of common sense.
Kerry also mentioned recent GOP criticism of ineffectual Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle, D-Ineptistan S.D., who said Bush's diplomatic efforts had failed "miserably" because he didn't secure a U.N. resolution for the war.
| Yep. They were pretty deserving of criticism, too... |
Following a speech to the New York State United Teachers convention in Washington, Kerry said, "I'm not going to let the likes of Tom DeLay question my patriotism, which I fought for and bled for in order to have the right to speak out."
| "I've been riding the fact that I was in Vietnam for years, and I intend to keep riding that fact. I'm going to make all the political hay out of that fact that I can!" |
Neither Hastert, Frist nor DeLay served in the military. In response to Kerry, DeLay spokesman Jonathan Grella said, "There's a difference between loving your country and leading it. Demanding regime change in America isn't unpatriotic - it's vile."
| Not having the Vietnam bike to ride, they're not allowed to say that, of course... |
Kerry said Republicans have no right to criticize him when they are cutting funds to veterans hospitals. His comments come on the eve of a trip to Iowa, where rival Howard Dean's strong anti-war stance has played well with the state's leftists Democrats. Dean also has been critical of Bush and Kerry, suggesting that the senator waffled in his position on the Iraq war.
Not the first time, either. During Gulf War I The Washington Times reported thatA constituent who wrote to Senator John Kerry, Massachusetts Democrat, about the Gulf War received two replies, one out of each side of the âKennedyesqueâ senatorâs face. Walter Carter wrote during the Congressional debate to urge Kerry to support the request that Congress approve the âuse of all necessary meansâ against Saddam in Kuwait.
The first reply he received, dated January 22nd, thanked Mr. Carter for expressing his opposition to the war and added, âI share your concerns.â The letter went on to point out Kerryâs January 11th vote against the resolution giving President Bush immediate authority to go to war against Iraq.
The second, dated January 31st, thanked Mr. Carter for expressing his support for Mr. Bush and stated that Kerry wholeheartedly supported the President. âFrom the outset of the invasion, I have strongly and unequivocally supported President Bushâs response to the crisis and the policy goals he has established with our military deployment to the Persian Gulf.â
Mr. Kerryâs press secretary said the two letters were the result of a computer malfunction. |
Dean also addressed the New York Teachers group Friday and said although he probably would not have used the words that Kerry did, "I have not criticized Senator Kerry for that, nor am I going to. It certainly would be unusual for me to line up with Tom DeLay, and I don't intend to start now."
Is this the best the Democrats have to offer?
Posted by: Steve White 2003-04-05 |
