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Kerry Leans To Talk Through His Ass
The national security speech weâve all been waiting for!âPatriotism doesnât belong to any one party or presidentâ But it sure seems absent in one party. Thursday, May 27, 2004 Posted: 11:15 AM EDT (1515 GMT) John Kerry speaks with supporters Wednesday in Seattle. SEATTLE, Washington (AP) -- Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry says the United States must be "strong without being stubborn" to defeat the terrorist threat. Enforcing 17 UN reolutions with military force without French approval is Kerryâs notion of being âstubbornâ. And he charges that President Bush has undermined American leadership by turning to force before he exhausted diplomacy in Iraq. 12 years wasnât long enough? "At stake is a vision of an America truly stronger and truly respected in the world," Kerry said in remarks prepared for delivery Thursday, launching an 11-day focus on national security. "âTis better to be feared than to be loved, if one cannot be both". Does Kerry remember that or is the only thing he reads is communist poets? "This is not a partisan cause. Patriotism doesnât belong to any one party or president." Noted above. National security was Bushâs strength early in the presidential race, but violence in Iraq has increased skepticism about Bushâs handling of the war. Kerry hopes to convince Americans that he would be a stronger world leader. (Kerry faults Bush on homeland security) Hope springs eternal. Kerry said that if he is elected, his top security goal will be to prevent terrorists from obtaining weapons of mass destruction. Um, isnât that one reason weâre in Iraq? And he said the United States needs help from other countries since terrorists are working across the globe. (FBI urges vigilance) He implies that weâre not doing this, which, coming out of his mouth, natch, is complete horsepuckey. And to the extent other countries wish to recognize terrorism as a problem, yes. See Spain, Zapatero. "No force on earth is more able than the United States and its allies," Kerry said. "Can I get an AMEN, BROTHER!!! from the audience?" "We must build that force -- and we can. We can be strong without being stubborn. Indeed, that is ultimately the only way we can succeed." Is that why you voted against every major weapons platform whilst you were in the Senate, that is, whenever you bothered to vote? He laid out four principles that would guide his national security policy: New alliances with foreign countries; Like Poland, Ukraine, Mongolia (!) and other countries in âNew Europeâ, as weâre already doing? An updated military to meet terrorist threats; Our military isnât updated? Thatâs in part because of your votes against those efforts, Senator. The use of diplomacy, intelligence, economic power and "the appeal of our values and ideas" to keep the country safe; Apparent reference to "Iâll kiss Chiracâs ass as soon as he dropps trou". Freedom from dependence on oil from the Middle East. Like drilling in ANWR, which you never supported? "These four imperatives are a response to an inescapable reality: War has changed; the enemy is different -- and we must think and act anew," Kerry said. More emphasis on âactâ, Senator Serotta. National security tour Kerryâs national security tour extends through Memorial Day and will end on the 60th anniversary of D-Day on June 6. Good timing; maybe heâs not completely deaf, politically speaking He will make two more major speeches in West Palm Beach, Florida, on Tuesday, and Independence, Missouri, on June 3, but also take his case to the battleground states of Wisconsin, Minnesota and Ohio. West Palm Beach = big $$$ / target rich environment. Heâll need it. Echoing his theme from months on the campaign trail, Kerryâs speech Thursday included accusations that the Bush administration rushed to war and damaged relationships with other nations along the way. "They looked to force before exhausting diplomacy," Kerry said in the speech text. "They bullied when they should have persuaded. They have gone it alone when they should have assembled a team. They have hoped for the best when they should have prepared for the worst. In short, they have undermined the legacy of generations of American leadership. And that is what we must restore." I submit that 12 years was well past exhausted diplomacy, Senator; harsh language isnât as effective as Billy Jack kicking you upside the head. Bush laid out his plan for Iraq during a prime-time speech Monday night. Kerry will continue to encourage the president to seek more help from allies and change course in Iraq. Heâs been doing that; another fact conveniently ignored by Kerry. "If President Bush doesnât change course and doesnât secure new support from our allies, we will, once again feel the consequences of a foreign policy that has divided the world instead of uniting it," Kerry said. "Our troops will be in greater peril, the mission in Iraq will be harder to accomplish and our country will be less secure." Separately, Kerry said Wednesday he will accept the presidential nomination at the Democratic National Convention in late July. "I turned down the nomination before I accepted it!" Is there any issue he hasnât been on both sides of? Some Kerry advisers had wanted him to wait until Bush accepts the Republican nod in early September because each candidate gets $75 million in public funding for his campaign when he is officially nominated. With his decision, Kerry will have to stretch his money out five weeks longer than Bush. "I know it puts us at a disadvantage financially," Kerry told the crowd, making an appeal for greater donations. "And so Iâm relying on those of you who helped bring us to this point." Grab Loveyâs chequebook, then. Oh, whoâs paying for that brand new plane, by the way? Posted by: Raj 2004-05-27 |
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