If I Could Write John Kerry's Iraq Speech

[louis c]

Remember, I'm writing this speech, not as my opinion, but as a speech that can win this election, and appeal to the widest group of voters. Remember, also, that this is John Kerry, speaking in the first person, reading my speech.

"Today, I am going to make Karl Rove's day, maybe. The President and his surrogates are so quick to point out that I have two positions on Iraq. I'm here today to tell them that they are correct."

"As a Viet-Nam Veteran and someone who lived through those difficult times in American History, I bring those learned lessons to the present conflict in Iraq."

"What I have learned, what all Americans, regardless of their position at that time, have learned, is that America's brave young men and women should not fight for another country's freedom harder than those people are fighting for themselves."

"If Iraqis can't be trusted, as our military people tell us, to be given weapons or responsibility in their own country, if Iraqis are afraid to be fighting alongside our brave men and women, something is wrong."

"If, as our Marine Commanders said today, that the 'stop-and go' assault on Fallujah was a big mistake, because we are now making political decisions that override military ones."

"So, what I learned, what everyone who lived through those difficult times 35 years ago should have learned, is that the United States Military can not win a war on foreign soil when we can not tell Friend from foe, or trust those who are supposed to be our allies."

"Here is my plan for Iraq. On my first day in office, I will make plans to go to Iraq to meet with all the Commanders and speak frankly, and listen intently. I want to know if the Iraqis are willing to fight for their freedom, and if they can be trusted. If the answer is 'no', we will begin a planed withdrawal. We will not stay where we aren't wanted, or fight for people who are unwilling to make the sacrifices necessary to secure their own freedom."

"So, Mr. President, here are my two positions on Iraq. When I am President, America will either fight to win this war, with a strong commitment from the Iraqi people, or we will leave that country to fend for themselves. We will not ever again, waste American lives fighting for another people, who hate us more than they love freedom."

[Vincardog]

1. GOOD ANSWER Let's here John read that speach

Let the shrub stay the course to San Quentin with his bunkies TERRA_TAC_DICK and ASS-Croft

[louis c]

4. kick

[liberalpragmatist]

2. Dislike the last sentence

"We will not ever again, waste American lives fighting for another people, who hate us more than they love freedom."

It sounds overtly jingoistic and defensive and contemptuous of the Iraqis. I would rather have a last line phrased something like this:

"As President, we shall never again try to impose democracy through military force. Freedom is a beautiful thing - but its not the United States' job to overthrow every foreign autocrat. Revolutions are internal matters - not the United States'."

I don't really like mine that much either, but something along those lines.

[louis c]

3. Like I said

This is not my opinion, but a way of dividing the opposition.

There are many Conservatives who think that we should either win the war or get out. No one, right or left, wants another war fought on political, rather than military initiatives.

So, I like jingoism, if that's what it takes to win.

The issue has to be made simple, to attract the voters, the vast number of voters, who can't be bothered informing themselves.

[louis c]

5. kick