Russert: Why Would Any Country Join the Coalition Under Kerry?

[clevergirl]

That’s a good question. Here’s one answer:
America drives the global economy. If the U.S. continues to fight this war alone, there will be an enormous drag on its economy – and that will affect the economies of other countries as well. Other nations have a vested interest in getting Iraq under control. Bush has alienated them; Kerry can bring them back to the table.

[Catch22Dem]

1. Seems awful snide...

What was the context?

[clevergirl]

12. Transcript

If the comment was snide, sorry.

I’m parsing, but Bush=War=US Deficit=Decline in US Economy=Decline in Global Economy: At some point, countries will be compelled to become part of the solution in Iraq IF they are allowed – but so far, Bush has not allowed them in and has alienated them. For that reason, Kerry is in a better position to offer them the “opportunity” to clean up this mess.

Edwards is saying this, but I feel it gets lost a bit.

Here’s Russert’s question:

Full transcript: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6200928/

MR. RUSSERT: But as recently as last week, as you know, Senator, the French and the Germans said they're not in a giving mood. Here is what they told The Financial Times. "French and German government officials say they will not significantly increase military assistance in Iraq even if John Kerry...is elected. `I cannot imagine that there will be any change in our decision not to send troops, whoever becomes president.'" And the French foreign minister went on to say that "which has tense relations with" Prime Minister Allawi of Iraq, that the French "had no plans to send troops `either now or later.'" So what would be the difference if--having a Kerry as president as opposed to a Bush in terms of the French or the Germans?

SEN. EDWARDS: Because success breeds joining the coalition. If we do the things that I just talked about, you know, actually doing what this president is not doing, speeding up the training of the Iraqis to provide for their own security, speeding up the process of the reconstruction so the Iraqi people actually see some tangible benefits in terms of water and electricity, ensuring what's not being ensured now which is that these elections take place in January as scheduled, those things combined with the credibility of a new president who can reach out to these countries--this president of course has rejected them not just in the lead-up to the war but also in the reconstruction effort--creates the real potential for getting these countries involved.

[Catch22Dem]

22. No, I'm sorry, I wasn't talking about you...

I meant Russert's comment sounded awful snide, and it made me wonder what he was talking about when he said it. Sorry if you thought I was accusing you of being snide.

[tjdee]

2. Because Kerry isn't a screamer like Bush?

I think the second debate pretty much showed us how Bush deals with other people.

Kerry can't be worse than that, and as you said, they realize that they are serving their own interests by getting a stable Iraq.

[FloridaPat]

3. Get Halliburton out of there, put the Iraqis to work in their own

country doing Halliburton work, and open up all Halliburton work to everyone. Why would they put in soldiers if they're not going to be allowed the spoils.

[the_outsider]

4. everyone has a stake in stable middle east

they cannot afford to ignore the situation, but they cannot work with * and his cronies who are hell bent on grabbing everything just for a few hand-picked corporations. Kerry will be a welcome relief for all of them.

It was not a good question, Russert knows very well that every country needs cheap reliable supply of oil for their economic growth.
Instead of recognizing that, he just repeats * talking point.

[xray s]

5. simple

Bush is a reckless, stupid, arrogant jerk who lies, and no one trusts him anymore.

Kerry has integrity, intellegence and the imagination to find solutions to problems that work.

Kerry will lead. That is why the world will follow.

[skooooo]

6. Here's why they'll help Kerry ----

-- Because they'll want to keep a Democrat in power and see him be successful. They damn well better help us succeed or things could get worse for everyone.

[tuvor]

7. Kerry knows Iraq is broken and needs fixing.

while bush is still wearing his rose-coloured glasses and saying nothing's broken.

Kerry has a plan and bush doesn't.

I'm still not keen on seeing Canadians go to Iraq under Kerry's presidency, but something tells me he's gonna level with everyone.

[gumby]

8. Russert is proof of how far this nation has fallen.

Can't say more in polite company.

[clevergirl]

15. Well, that's another thing...

Fat. Arrogant. Lazy.
I really miss genuine old pain-in-the-ass, show me the facts, I don't read press releases reporters.
They are GONE.

[Upfront]

9. Kerry Can Be Trusted

We need them now, and some day they will need us. Will we be there if they don't help now? I think Kerry will get it done.

[cheshire]

10. Kerry has said that all the work went to Halliburton, He will give jobs to

other countries for incentive. He will also listen to them and work with them as Clinton did. Bush said Either your with us or your with the terrorist. That is a threat. Kerry will not threaten them but turn it around to work with allies.

[silverlib]

11. * refused to let companies from countries

that did not joint his small coalition bid on any contracts. Kerry will open up the bidding process.

and hopefully, he will put the Iraqi people back to work, as well as the American people. It must be hard on the Iraqi people to watch foreigners take their jobs inside their own country. It must be worse than outsourcing is for us.

[Raenelle]

13. Lazy. Diplomacy takes work--Kerry's willing to do it--*, not so much

[spanone]

14. 'Cause John Kerry hasn't arrogantly pissed of the whole world.

A new start. Hope, something Russert knows nothing about.

[Johnny 99]

16. France and Germany

Are saying now they don't want to join, but I think that has mostly to do with Bush. I have a feeling they would warm up to Kerry, mostly because he's not a cowboy. Unfortunately, that's not the answer that Edwards gave, but oh well.

[clevergirl]

17. I daresay...

That the answer of training Iraqis faster, etc. is questionable. Americans are not idiots (well, 50% are not idiots) -- if nothing else, they understand that money talks -- and we're not going to get France or Germany of Costa Rica back by giving the "opportunity" to see their loved ones in a cage before being beheaded...

[MattNC]

19. they've said they'd join

under a UN-led mission.

[Career Prole]

18. My personal hope is that the next time the chimp sarcastically says

"You're going to ask people to join the wrong war in the wrong place at the wrong time?" that Kerry will answer, "No, Mr. President. I'm going to ask them with the humility that you promised in 2000 but never delivered to please help us clean up the Bush mess in Iraq."
It's a nice dream, I think. :)

[PurityOfEssence]

20. As a show of faith to a new president who won't try to conquer the world

and treat everyone like servants.

[opihimoimoi]

21. They sure as hell ain't joining up with W unless we bribe them

or force them somehow....

[donco6]

23. What DO we know?

We know Bush has so totally alienated us from even our closest allies, that they'll NEVER join him.

We know Kerry is smart enough to know that.

We know France and Germany are being shut out of the Iraq pie. That their countries dangle on even deeper economic malaise.

We know there's LOTS of MONEY to be made in Iraq, if things were a bit - less risky.

You do the math. Kerry will reopen the contracting bids, guarantee France and Germany a piece in proportion to troop strength, and see what happens.

[babylonsister]

24. Mr. Kerry has claimed he can form

a coalition to try and fix Shrub's* mistakes. I am thinking the international community will be SO relieved that Bush is gone that they will be ecstatic to have a realistic man who represents a whole bunch of people who will work with everyone to try and fix the problems. President Kerry will do a better job, whether he gets commitments for troops, money, contracts, whatever will aid US getting out of the mess Furious George made of Iraq.