Sen Kerry's response to the Iraq and Casey withdrawal plans

[TayTay]

John Kerry on Casey Plan for Iraq Redeployment, Maliki Timetable


"The Republican attack dogs have some explaining to do and our troops deserve answers. Last week Republicans on Capitol Hill blanketed the airwaves attacking proposals for deadlines and timetables in Iraq.

But as Republicans attacked with rhetoric rather than attack the Iraq quagmire itself, the new Iraqi government was considering timetables for most American combat troops to leave, and our top military commander in Iraq was outlining plans to do exactly that. The same general who told Congress last fall that the large American troop presence delays the Iraqis standing up for themselves has now put forward a plan for us to stand down, and Administration officials leaked it to the nation's newspapers.

These plans look an awful lot like what the Republicans spent the last week attacking. Will the partisan attack dogs now turn their venom and disinformation campaign on General Casey? What will the Republican Congress say to Prime Minister Maliki? Will they label them the 'cut and run' military and the 'cut and jog' Iraqi government? Enough is enough.

I'm proud that Democrats insisted on a real Iraq debate last week, and this weekend’s news reminds us again that we were right. It's time to redeploy. It's time for realistic timetables rather than open-ended commitments. In fact, deadlines help get the job done in Iraq while Republican slogans are only designed to get the job done in November here at home.

No more slogans, no more hollow partisan attacks, no more questioning the patriotism of those who speak out. We owe our troops a policy, not a partisan slogan."

[Inuca]

1. VERY strong

"attack dogs". Correct & well deserved, but... maybe too much? I don't know....

[beachmom]

4. If you listened to the rhetoric coming from Republicans in the

House and the Senate, "attack dogs" is barely enough a strong word to describe these GOP bullies. Remember the guy in the House who said "with this vote you either vote for America or al Qaeda". How stupid is that?

I like Kerry's response a lot. He said "we were right" which is what I and KG said on Friday. I love it when great minds think alike (okay, my brain pales compared to the senator from Mass., but after watching every word he said in the Senate this week, I feel like there was a bit of a mind meld that will last me at least a couple of days :)).

[ginnyinWI]

5. I wonder what Ed Schultz will have to say on Monday. n/t

[globalvillage]

7. I disagree.

Your brain pales in comparison to no one.
JK may be brilliant, but you're no slouch, my friend.

I do love this statement. Very good, Senator!

[beachmom]

8. Thanks, GV -- that was kind of you to say n/t

[globalvillage]

6. It's PERFECT.

Great statement. I think it's spot-on and I love it.

Tay, do you know if this is posted in GD/P and kos? I've heard the msm this morning infer that the Dems were ahead of this, but only because I was listening for it.

I hope JK gets some radio/TV time this week. Feingold was good on MTP.

Woo Hoo!!! Kerry rocks!

[ProSense]

9. Here:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=2695620&mesg_id=2695620

[ProSense]

2. Excellent! n/t

[ginnyinWI]

3. yup, they've really got some 'splainin' to do!

The timing was so good for Kerry and Feingold's amendment. They deserve every bit of credit they can get for bringing this debate to a vote. Theirs is the one that's gotten most of the attacks and the attention, and it's too late for the Repubs to pretend they didn't oppose it.

His last sentence was spot on: "No more slogans, no more hollow partisan attacks, no more questioning the patriotism of those who speak out. We owe our troops a policy, not a partisan slogan."

[karynnj]

11. Not only did theirs get most of the flack, the other

was developed only in responce to what Kerry, Feingold and Boxer had done a few weeks ago. In fact, with the Iraqis and Casey saying this - it would have been a mess if the Democrats had done nothing.

[wisteria]

14. Hey, do you remember Senator Warner saying to Senator Kerry

"timing is everything"?

[jillan]

10. Go Kerry Go Kerry

Attack - throw it right back into their faces

[Island Blue]

12. This is excellent!

I love this paragraph:

These plans look an awful lot like what the Republicans spent the last week attacking. Will the partisan attack dogs now turn their venom and disinformation campaign on General Casey? What will the Republican Congress say to Prime Minister Maliki? Will they label them the 'cut and run' military and the 'cut and jog' Iraqi government? Enough is enough.

As always, Sen. Kerry serves it up with just the right amount of snark!

I can only imagine that JK's refusal to fade into the wallpaper since the '04 election has caused quite a few Tums-poppin' days and sleepless nights among many a Republican operative (and some Democratic ones as well).

[politicasista]

13. Nice statement!

I mean excellent! :patriot: