John Kerry on CNN’s “American Morning” (VIDEO & TRANSCRIPT)

[kerrygoddess]

John Kerry on CNN’s “American Morning” (VIDEO & TRANSCRIPT)
December 6th, 2006 @ 10:54 am

John Kerry is on another media blitz today, discussing the release of the Iraq Study Group report on Iraq. Today the bi-partisan Study Group panel said, that the “conditions in Iraq are “grave and deteriorating,” with the prospect that a “slide toward chaos” could topple the U.S.-backed government and trigger a regional war unless the United States changes course and seeks a broader diplomatic and political solution involving all of Iraq’s neighbors.”

In what amounts to the most extensive independent assessment of the nearly four-year-old conflict that has claimed the lives of more than 2,800 Americans and tens of thousands of Iraqis, the Iraq Study Group bluntly warns that “current U.S. policy is not working.” Citing rising violence and the Iraqi government’s failure to advance national reconciliation, the panel paints a grim picture of a nation that Bush has repeatedly vowed to transform into a beacon of freedom and democracy in the Middle East.

John Kerry discussed the panel’s report earlier today on CNN’s “American Morning.” For our readers who have followed Kerry position on Iraq including his speeches and OP/ED’s over the past couple of years and various debates on the Senate floor, it’s clear that the Iraq Study Group report recommends much of what Kerry has been calling for, for some time now (see links below transcript).



The transcript is as follows:

O’BRIEN: Former Secretary of State James Baker, former Congressman Lee Hamilton, and the eight members of their blue ribbon panel, briefing the president as we speak. It is a bipartisan group, but will reaction to their findings be bipartisan? With a view from the Democratic side of the aisle we turn now to Democratic Senator John Kerry of Massachusetts.

Senator Kerry, good to have you with us.

KERRY: Good morning.

O’BRIEN: Timetables, supposedly not in this particular report, no specific deadlines for withdrawal. You would suggest that’s a good idea?

KERRY: I do. I believe it is. But I think they are about as close as you can come without getting into direct confrontation with the president. The fact is they are saying that most of the combat troops ought to be out by next year. General Caldwell –

O’BRIEN: So, is this a timetable?

KERRY: I believe that is a timetable. I also believe there is a timetable for the shift of responsibility to the Iraqis, which is what we wanted. General Caldwell — that’s on the front page of today’s newspapers — so I think it’s moving in a very important direction. And the key is for the president to embrace that and to recognize the importance of it.

O’BRIEN: Is it realistic to think about the Iraqis really taking substantive control over the security situation in Iraq soon?

KERRY: Sure.

MORE & LINKS - http://blog.thedemocraticdaily.com/?p=4898 (including a long compilation of links to Kerry on Iraq)

[wisteria]

1. Thanks, I didn't think this was going to be available. n/t

[kerrygoddess]

2. Hardball too

http://blog.thedemocraticdaily.com/?p=4896

[wisteria]

3. Thanks. n/t