Excerpts of Kerry's Remarks to the National Guard Association

[WilliamPitt]

For Immediate Release

September 16, 2004

Thursday, September 16, 2004
Las Vegas, Nevada

The way I see it, this is a matter of values and priorities - and on
these issues, President Bush and I couldn't be more different. I
believe that America's security begins and ends with our men and women
in uniform - with every member of our armed forces who stands guard at
the gates of freedom. I will be a President who goes into the Oval
Office every morning knowing that it is my job to help you do yours. I
will fight for you every day, and I will never let you down. General
Clark and I were talking on the way out here about the quality of our
armed forces. You are America's finest, the most capable, the most
skilled troops in our history, led by the best military leaders in the
world. And you deserve no less than the best.
And there's something else we owe you and all the men and women serving
right now in Iraq. We owe you the truth. True leadership is about
looking people in the eye and telling the truth - even when it's hard to
hear. And two days ago, President Bush came before you and you received
him well, as you should. But I believe he failed the fundamental test
of leadership. He failed to tell you the truth. You deserve better.
The Commander in Chief must level with the troops and the nation. And
as president, I will always be straight with you - on the good days, and
the bad days.
Two days ago, the President stood right where I'm standing and did not
even acknowledge that more than 1,000 men and women have lost their
lives in Iraq. He did not tell you that with each passing day, we're
seeing more chaos, more violence, more indiscriminate killings. He did
not tell you that with each passing week, our enemies are getting bolder
- that Pentagon officials report that entire regions of Iraq are now in
the hands of terrorists and extremists. He did not tell you that with
each passing month, stability and security seem farther and farther
away.

He did not tell you any of this, even though - as the country learned
today in the New York Times - his own intelligence officials have warned
him for weeks that the mission in Iraq is in serious trouble. But that
is the truth - hard as it is to hear. You deserve a president who
will not play politics with national security, who will not ignore his
own intelligence, while living in a fantasy world of spin, and who will
give the American people the truth about the challenge our brave men and
women face on the front lines.

[Nashyra]

1. AWESOME

[molly]

2. Amen to this

"We owe you the truth."

[BurtWorm]

3. How was this received?

It took guts to say it. Good for him! :toast:

[speedoo]

4. Fuckin' A John..

Just keep telling the truth. That is what this election is about.

[underpants]

5. TONK! It's outa the paaaaaaaark!

Excellent

[Beetwasher]

6. "Living In A Fantasy World Of Spin"

Love it!

[NewYorkerfromMass]

16. Did he read my post yesterday?

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x814551

[ElementaryPenguin]

7. Right on the money!

I think Kerry's on a real roll right now, that's gonna grow daily.

[RoyalWickedness]

11. Agreed

You can't watch videos of the "old" John Kerry, who testified before Congress with such eloquence and sent John O'Neill packing with his tail between his legs and NOT know that he's got it in him.

[jefferson_dem]

8. *THWAK* * MISleads and Lies

:spank:

Thanks for the text! I thought he was scheduled for 3:30. Is this a pre-release of the speech?

[WilliamPitt]

15. Yup

[BootinUp]

9. great stuff! n/t

[deutsey]

10. I'm impressed

I hope this gets wide (and substantial) coverage. Americans need to hear this.

[Tom Rinaldo]

12. Yes, this is the right stuff. Let's have more of it! n/t

[babylonsister]

13. Let's pray the truth WILL hurt * !

I did a bit of surfing but couldn't find Kerry or his speech on anywhere because of Ivan, I s'pose. Anyone know when it might be aired?

[DancingBear]

14. 3:30 p.m. eastern - C-Span (I believe)

Can anyone else verify?

[Richardson08]

21. 3:30 is correct

[WilliamPitt]

17. .

[Catfight]

23. That's an excellent article, disturbing, but the truth usually is. n/t

[Bandit]

18. I'm not sure America wants or can handle the Truth

If they truly did then Bush* would never have been selected as President. He has distorted reality from the very beginning and is doing so today.

[Catfight]

19. He's so Presidential it makes me giddy! n/t

[Texas_Dem]

20. Amen! John Kerry needs to tell the American people

this everyday. He will stand with and for the military in good days and bad. Not just when he wants to say "Mission Accomplished". He will support the wounded coming home with their recovery and getting on with their lives, not ignore them. He will make sure that the soldiers know their mission in Iraq, help them do it and get them home to their families. ASAP. Not send them into a foreign country on Operation WhatAreWeDoing?.

This is what the nation needs to hear. I don't think he can repeat this enough.

[Generator]

22. Beautiful!

Do you think that some in the auidence heard this and it made them think? A thinking country...imagine what we could do with that instead of reactionary one in denial.

[Davis_X_Machina]

24. We will, of course...

....still have to endure a never-ending barrage of posts claiming Kerry isn't talking about Iraq, that he isn't hitting back, that he's invisible, etc. etc.

Short of pantsing George on the Ellipse, some folks will never be satisified with the pushback from Kerry.

[Texas_Dem]

25. Rove and Co are

already spinning this by saying Kerry is not supporting the troops and implying he is unpatriotic. (although they won't SAY the last part).

In response to this it needs to be pointed out that explaining the American people and the troops the goal and exit strategy in Iraq IS supporting the troops. But they cannot do that because "Mission has been Accomplished."

Someone should say telling the truth IS supporting the troops in recognition of their service; both living, injured and dead, instead of standing on their bravery for political gain - as this president does without shame.

[hansolsen]

26. Okay, now we're getting somewhere. N/T

[Leilani]

27. Did I hear General Clark mentioned?

Is Wes accompanying Kerry to Vegas for the speech?

Good idea, if true.

Clark, as an advisor to Kerry will reassure many.

[DinahMoeHum]

28. Clearly, he's got the gravitas and the stones to be President. . .

the current squatter in the WH is/was such a candy-ass pussy he couldn't even pee-pee in a cup for a flight physical.

:kick: