Kerry: No Iraq flip-flop

[Feanorcurufinwe]

by Chris Hintz

It has begun -- the presidential campaign of 2004. Now that John Kerry is well on his way to becoming the official Democratic nominee, many are trying to paint him as a serial flip-flopper. In particular, they have zeroed in on his criticism of the war in Iraq as being contradictory to his initial vote in favor. This is no contradiction -- and there is good reason to question whether invading Iraq was the best way to become more secure.

First, why isn't Kerry being a hypocrite? Consider what he actually voted on. In October 2002, Congress passed a joint resolution clearing the way for war. It was a 10-page document chockfull of interesting assertions. This legislation stated as a fact Saddam was in possession of weapons of mass destruction. It stated al Queda terrorists were being harbored in Iraq. And it referenced connections to Sept. 11 no fewer than four times. This is what John Kerry voted for.

Flash forward to the present. Bush has admitted there was no Iraqi connection to Sept. 11. The infamous WMDs cited as a justification for war 10 times in the resolution haven't turned up, and the chief U.S. weapons inspector, David Kay, has now stated in front of Congress U.S. intelligence was wrong on this threat. It was the facts that flopped -- Kerry can criticize in good conscience. What is at issue is how Congress and the American public were misled. While Bush may not be directly responsible, it's always fair to criticize the CEO.

<snip>

President Bush seems to suffer from a chronic case of mixed priorities and an inability to identify what is truly the worst threat. The U.S. is putting everything else on hold to track down a man in a cave who has been reduced to communicating via donkey-gram. Meanwhile, a man who actively helped so-called terrorist states acquire nuclear weapons gets pardoned and is a free man. He has not even been interrogated about who bought his designs. Which of these men is more dangerous?

Maybe Bush should try a flip-flop on this one.
http://www.idsnews.com/story.php?id=21957

[alcuno]

1. Bush is just a flop.

If my choice were between a flip-flopper and a flop, I'd pick the flip-flopper.

[mike_c]

2. oh come on, Senators are still responsible for getting...

...their facts straight before they vote for war. Reasoning that since the IWR was flawed, Kerry's vote for it wasn't is a bunch of hooey. Going to war is one of the most serious matters a nation's leaders ever face. Kerry had a clear responsibility to do the right thing. IMO, he blew it.