Edwards sold the Iraq War better than the republicans.

[Renew Deal]

This is his statement to congress. I don't see how he stands a chance of standing up to Bush on this. My problem, who is the lesser of the two evils: John "Waffle" Kerry or John "Kill 'em all" Edwards

Note: This is before Bush's nuclear war state of the union speach.

http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/F?r107:23:./temp/~r107iVHFqJ:e858562:



Mr. EDWARDS. Mr. President, I am here to speak in support of the resolution before us, which I cosponsored. I believe we must vote for this resolution not because we want war, but because the national security of our country requires action. The prospect of using force to protect our security is the most difficult decision a Nation must ever make.

We all agree that this is not an easy decision. It carries many risks. If force proves necessary, it will also carry costs, certainly in resources, and perhaps in lives. After careful consideration, I believe that the risks of inaction are far greater than the risks of action.

Saddam Hussein's regime represents a grave threat to America and our allies, including our vital ally, Israel. For more than two decades, Saddam Hussein has sought weapons of mass destruction through every available means. We know that he has chemical and biological weapons. He has already used them against his neighbors and his own people, and is trying to build more. We know that he is doing everything he can to build nuclear weapons, and we know that each day he gets closer to achieving that goal.

Iraq has continued to seek nuclear weapons and develop its arsenal in defiance of the collective will of the international community, as expressed through the United Nations Security Council. It is violating the terms of the 1991 cease-fire that ended the Gulf war and as many as 16 Security Council resolutions, including 11 resolutions concerning Iraq's efforts to develop weapons of mass destruction.

By ignoring these resolutions, Saddam Hussein is undermining the credibility of the United Nations, openly violating international law, and making a mockery of the very idea of collective action that is so important to the United States and its allies.

We cannot allow Saddam Hussein to get nuclear weapons in violation of his own commitments, our commitments, and the world's commitments.
<snip>

The decision we must make now is one a nation never seeks. Yet when confronted with a danger as great as Saddam Hussein, it is a decision we must make. America's security requires nothing less.
<snip>

[RichM]

1. If you didn't know which party the speaker was from, you'd have a hard

time guessing. It's a disgraceful, disgusting statement. Kerry is of course no better.

That's one of the reasons why Kucinich is the only one you can vote for, and wake up still respecting yourself in the morning.

[Paulie]

2. It's insane

We have Kerry the "I was lied to, even though I knew better" vs. Edwards "I trust the president because I don't know better"

I Hate BOTH of them on this issue.

[AP]

3. People say that Bush will attack Edwards on experience.

But how does that fit with the fact of this statement. Where does he show that experience is a liability? What's the evidence?

I heard a Kerry quote from 98 in which he said that there was no evidence that he saw that suggested there were any impending threats to American securtity. NPR played it this morning. I'd rather be running for president in 2004 with less experience and a statement like this one, than with years of experience capped off with a statement saying there weren't any real threats to American domestic security in the near future.

[dpbrown]

8. Edwards on Iraq is Gore Agreeing with Bush 39 Times in Debate

Edwards on Iraq is not Bush attacking Edwards over experience.

This is an issue that resonates with _________ number of people. Those people were against the invasion of Iraq, and they still think it's wrong. To the extent that Edwards looks to be enthusiastic about invading Iraq, he's not going to do well with these people.

This is entirely different from not doing well with people for whom "experience" is going to be a deciding issue.

Dan Brown
Saint Paul, Minnesota

[mmonk]

4. To sell something

you have to believe in it or be a great actor.

[BurtWorm]

5. What did John Edwards do during the war, Daddy?

I mean the Vietnam war. What's his military background. Out of curiosity. No one seems to talk about it.

[Renew Deal]

7. He was too young.

So he missed it.

[redqueen]

6. I've never really been happy about living in a 'safe' red state

until now.

I am SO GLAD I don't have to vote for either of these two bush enablers.

:grr: