Kerry’s Deceptions on Iraq Threaten His Presidential Hopes

[Larkspur]

from CommonDreams.org http://www.commondreams.org/views03/0826-03.htm

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...John Kerry is one of the most intelligent, well-studied and hard-working members of the U.S. Senate. One did not have to be a genius to have been able to recognize that the Bush administration’s claims regarding Iraqi military capabilities were phony from the beginning. Nor was it a secret that most independent strategic analysts observed how administration statements on Iraq’s threat were inaccurate and misleading. Indeed, a number of such researchers and scholars myself included had provided the senator’s office with more balanced assessments regarding Iraqi armaments and military capabilities.

Senator Kerry could still have supported the war without being so categorical about Iraq’s alleged threat. He could have said, “I don’t know if Iraq still has weapons of mass destruction, but given the regime’s pattern of deception and what is at stake, I believe the risks of not going to war are greater than going to war.” While this would not have placated many anti-war activists, at least he would not have been caught lying.

As a result, it should not be surprising that anti-war presidential candidate Howard Dean despite his calls for increased military spending and his strident support for the right-wing Israeli government has gained the support of so many liberal Democrats who would have otherwise supported the Massachusetts senator. Much to the surprise of the pundits, the former Vermont governor has recently surpassed Senator Kerry in fundraising and in some public opinion polls.

Kerry’s vote in support for what most legal scholars see as an illegitimate war has raised serious questions regarding his commitment to international law and the U.S. Constitution. Given his apparent dishonesty in justifying the war, it also raises questions should he actually become president as to what additional lies John Kerry would be willing to tell the American people in order to justify possible future U.S. invasions of other countries.

Democrats have to wonder whether it makes sense to throw out the dishonest warmonger currently in the White House only to replace him with what many now see as a dishonest warmonger from their own ranks. As a result, it is likely that by the time the primaries come around, the voters will opt not for the former front-runner Kerry, but a candidate who will not abuse the trust of the American people in order to pursue his militarist agenda.

Will Kerry respond to this article like Dean did to one back in April about his anti-war views?