Kerry Vows to Reverse Bush's Policies

[sangh0]

Vowing to reverse President Bush's foreign policies, Democrat John Kerry is outlining new plans to stem "a widespread and widening network of terrorists," such as targeting Saudi Arabia for sanctions and naming a special ambassador to the Mideast - perhaps Bill Clinton.

The presidential candidate from Massachusetts, in a speech Wednesday to the Council of Foreign Relations in New York, said there are a handful of people he would consider naming to the post, including former Democratic Presidents Clinton and Carter as well as James Baker, secretary of state in the first Bush White House.

"Those of us who seek the Democratic presidential nomination owe the American people more than just criticism of the Bush foreign policy or anger or piecemeal solutions," Kerry said in excerpts of his address released by the campaign. "We need to convince them that Democrats are responsible stewards of our national security and America's role in the world."

[Stevendsmith]

1. Impressive

I'm no great supporter of Kerry, but I think it's great that he's advancing alternatives to BushCo's disasterous foreign policies. Very good move on his part.

[chimpymustgo]

19. We can trust Kerry to keep his word if he's elected.

He has a wonderful record of fighting for liberal and just causes.

[realFedUp]

2. hard to be convincing when you're voting Bush's policies in...n/t

[sangh0]

3. Damned if you do, and damned if you don't

Just shows that many Deanies don't care about defeating Bush* and are more concerned with fighting Dems, even when they agree with what they say

[realFedUp]

5. I had an honest response to Kerry's votes

and for someone who can't stop bashing Dean, your
response to mine was just dishonest.

[sangh0]

6. Well bully for you

I am so impressed that you would take a minute from your bashing to criticize me for bashing

[ibegurpard]

16. Actually we DO care about defeating Bush.

that's why we're not supporting Kerry.
:hi:

[sangh0]

22. You left some stuff out

like "that's why we attack Kerry, Clark, Lieberman, Sharpton, Edwards, Gephardt, Kucinich and Braun"

I guess Rove wants to beat Bush* too.

[Gloria]

4. How about we skip James Baker!!!

He should have stopped with Clinton and Carter....and maybe added Madeline Albright to the list instead of James Baker.....

[sangh0]

7. No argument there

.

[NewYorkerfromMass]

9. Yee-ouch!

I'll have to look at the rationale behind that one.

[sangh0]

11. Kerry said "bipartisanship"

I suspect campaign politics

[JI7]

13. good reason for baker

baker was very much involved in the first bush administration's involvement in the israel/palestine issue. the negotiations started under the first bush and continued under clinton. baker was a big part of it which is why baker's name came up. i still don't like baker. but he did do a good job on the peace negotiations between israel and palestine. he was also accused of being anti israel for being objective on the issue.

[JI7]

14. carter is still the BEST for it though

.

[NewYorkerfromMass]

20. Clinton's no slouch either.

The fact Kerry threw his name out there leads me to believe it is a very real possibility. Of course, Clinton and Baker working alongside one another is another matter altogether!

[NewYorkerfromMass]

18. Well, that's a good reason then

Kerry's depth of knowledge in foreign affairs suggests that he would have a good reason to name Baker, and this is certainly a good arguement.

[JI7]

21. if it was something else

if it was for another non related position i would most li kely be surprised. but knowing of baker's positive (probably only positive thing he has done) contribution to the israel/palestine issue it's understandable.

[blm]

10. I agree...but, paulk had a great insight into that.

He thinks it was a bone thrown to those conservatives who are dismayed at this Bush's handling of the Mideast, and appeals to their desire for a more even keeled administration. It doesn't mean he'd do it, but it does get their attention.

Personally, I despise all that Baker stands for, even if it might be a smart political bone to throw.

[GreenArrow]

17. not Madeline "we think the price is worth it" Albright

cold-blooded hag.

[Aidoneus]

27. Albright?!

edited..
rats, somebody got there with the line first. GreenArrow, you've beat me this time, but watch it! When you trip up, I'll, um.. be there first. Uh, right. :)

[sistersofmercy]

8. Good for John Kerry, Saudi sanctions sound good to me.

Clinton would be perfect IMO.

[KittyWampus]

12. Targeting The Saudis- How Will He Do That Specifically?

Couldn't just do it hamhanded.... have any Kerryphiles heard him say more on this?

[sangh0]

15. Sanctions

it's says that in the first post

[KittyWampus]

23. Economic Embargo? Would Saudis Cut Off Oil?

[sangh0]

25. See JI7's post (below)

Kerry also supports energy independence.

[JI7]

24. another thing

kerry has a very good plan to get us off dependency of not only oil from foreign sources (especially saudi arabia) but to get us independent of the resource itself. this would affect saudi arabia very much and force them to change their ways in order to sustain themselves without cash from oil sales. bush abandoning the kyoto treaty was a huge setback for us though.

[oasis]

26. Excellent point.

[killbotfactory]

28. Kerry slammed Dean for suggesting sanctions on the Saudi's

This waffling nincompoop is running his campaign into the ground and is unelectable.

[killbotfactory]

29. Dean has some maple syrup for Kerry's waffles.

When candidates were asked how their foreign policies would reflect concern for women’s rights on the international stage, Dean took criticism from Kerry for indicating he would impose sanctions on Saudi Arabia .

“Before you shoot from the hip and sanction Saudi Arabia ,” Kerry said, “consider what we get from Saudi Arabia .”

http://www.politicsnh.com/archives/pindell/2003/November/11_6debate.shtml

[Octafish]

30. Oil makes strange bedfellows.

Bush and bin Laden, for two.

There must be a reason.

Oh, yeah! Oil is a stragegic resource. That means our nation's survival depends on its availability.

I'm sure Coward Dean will learn all about that in the coming days.