Kerry Says Iraq Lies at 'Moment of Truth'

[Judi Lynn]

Kerry Says Iraq Lies at 'Moment of Truth'

Friday April 30, 2004 6:31 PM


By NEDRA PICKLER

Associated Press Writer

FULTON, Mo. (AP) - President Bush said Friday that progress has been made in stabilizing Iraq in the year since he declared an end to major combat, but his Democratic challenger insisted the United States has not succeeded in its mission and now faces a ``moment of truth'' in the conflict.

``This anniversary is not a time to shout. It is not a time for blame,'' presidential candidate John Kerry said in remarks prepared for Missouri's Westminster College. ``It is a time for a new direction in Iraq and for America to work together so that once again this nation leads in a way that brings the world to us and with us in our efforts.''

Bush landed aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln on May 1, 2003, to announce that major combat operations were over in Iraq after just six weeks of fighting. Critics repeatedly cited the declaration, made as a banner reading ``Mission Accomplished'' hung above the flight deck, after U.S. casualties continued to mount.

The president defended his speech on Friday, telling reporters in the Rose Garden of the White House that ``we're making progress, you bet'' and noting he had warned at the time that ``there was still difficult work ahead.''
(snip/...)

http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,1280,-4039347,00.html

[HFishbine]

1. More than a banner

The announcement of the end of major combat operations was more than a claim on a banner that the Guardian reports. Here's the first paragraph of his speech aboard the USS Lincoln of May 1, 2003:

THE PRESIDENT: Thank you all very much. Admiral Kelly, Captain Card, officers and sailors of the USS Abraham Lincoln, my fellow Americans: Major combat operations in Iraq have ended. In the battle of Iraq, the United States and our allies have prevailed. (Applause.) And now our coalition is engaged in securing and reconstructing that country.

http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2003/05/iraq/20030501-15.html

[Old and In the Way]

2. Gee, 3 sentences, 3 lies. Not bad, even for Bush. nt

[bemildred]

3. The "Iraq Lies" are an a moment of truth.

But I don't suppose that's what he meant.