How I'd like Kerry to address Bush's "Bad message to our troops" bit

[Goldmund]

Bush likes repeating, in different contexts: "My opponent says this is a wrong war at a wrong place at a wrong time. What kind of a message does that send our troops? That's not a way a commander-in-chief should speak.".

Kerry has already addressed the specific aspects of his Iraq policy. But another way that he could respond to this is the following:

Bush's complaint does nothing to answer Kerry's "wrong war" assertions. Actually, his objections could apply to any war at all -- one could always say "don't disparage the troops" whenever they are engaged in battle. But does this mean that NO WAR is a "wrong war at a wrong place at a wrong time" -- since in EVERY WAR troops are in "harm's way"? Does that mean that one should never speak against the President's foreign policy if the country is at war? Does it mean that all a President needs to do to squelch his attackers is start a war?

What kind of a message does that send about our democracy?

[CarolynEC]

1. At last week's debate, JK gave what I think is THE best response:

The troops KNOW it's a mess!

[Poiuyt]

2. Teddy Roosevelt said it best:

"The President is merely the most important among a large number of public
servants. He should be supported or opposed exactly to the degree which is
warranted by his good conduct or bad conduct, his efficiency or inefficiency
in rendering loyal, able, and disinterested service to the Nation as a
whole. Therefore it is absolutely necessary that there should be full
liberty to tell the truth about his acts, and this means that it is exactly
necessary to blame him when he does wrong as to praise him when he does
right. Any other attitude in an American citizen is both base and servile.
To announce that there must be no criticism of the President, or that we are
to stand by the President, right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and
servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public. Nothing but the
truth should be spoken about him or any one else. But it is even more
important to tell the truth, pleasant or unpleasant, about him than about
any one else."

"Theodore Roosevelt in the Kansas City Star", 149 May 7, 1918

[jimdeedler]

3. KERRY needs your help!!!

If the presidential election were held this week, who would you vote for? * 66853 responses


George W. Bush
58%

John Kerry
41%

Ralph Nader
1%


http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6092749/

[yowzayowzayowza]

4. Me too.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=132&topic_id=950166