All Out Down the Final Stretch
As I wake up in California today, it’s a little hard to believe we’re just 8 days away from this election. 8 days. I think about all the incredible people who could’ve walked away and licked their wounds, but who just got up and kept pounding these last two years so that in this election - no matter what the conventional wisdom began predicting - we have a real grind-it-out opportunity to win Democratic control of Congress.
Right now the landscape’s a hell of a lot different than it was even eight months ago. Don’t forget how courageous some of our candidates have been. Jim Webb, whose opposition to the Iraq War drew him into a Senate fight some said was the longest of long shots. Tammy Duckworth, who went from recovering from a hellish injury in war to mounting an incredible campaign in a so-called Republican district. Patrick Murphy, who came out of Veterans for Kerry and - even knowing the lies the Republicans throw at veterans – challenged the stay-the-course platitudes of Republicans who don’t honor our heroes by acting as apologists for Don Rumsfeld. Jon Soltz, who worked to make Iraq and Afghanistan veterans’ issues become voting issues in this campaign. Ned Lamont and Bob Menendez, who stood up courageously against this war that – according to this morning’s papers - reached an American military death toll of 100 in Iraq this month.
As we head into the final stretch - the final sprint, really - I want to thank each one of you for what you’ve already done. No group has done more than the Johnkerry.com community to help Democrats this cycle. (To see what we were able to accomplish together, go to the Election06 page on the website.)
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And you’re not alone out there. So many incredible people who care - really care - about our country—have been a part of this incredible effort. My staff, who have suffered through endless airports to get me to all the candidates we’ve worked for. Friends of mine from 40 years ago whose support has never wavered. Bloggers old and new, who’ve been out there in the writing and debating and fighting for our convictions. Volunteers who have taken vacation time to help. And most important of all, my wife Teresa, who’s been worked for Democrats in critical House races in Pennsylvania, and stumping in Iowa for her friend Denise O’Brien. This is a family effort and I mean that.
But it ain’t over. Every day you read that what people once thought were solid Republican seats are falling into the “too close to call” category. For the next eight days, every single thing that every one of us does is critical: you could be the person who makes the phone call that gets that last voter out in one of the races that determines control of the House or the Senate. Get in touch with your state Democratic Party and find out where you can volunteer to get every Democratic voter to the polls on November 7th.
Let’s go all out for these last few days—we’ve got a job to do, and we are proving every day we still know how to fight to change our country.
John Kerry
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Thank you for leading the charge, Senator!
I had the pleasure of attending GOTV/poll watcher training last night that ended with a peptalk from the Admiral himself. The Democratic Party is energized here in PA-07 like folks haven’t seen for a midterm election in a long, long time. You can just taste the hunger for a win.
But on the other side, as one local astutely pointed out - our opponents are not just fighting for their candidates, they are fighting for their jobs. The republican party “ownership” of Delaware County, PA cannot be underestimated - that’s why even with a lead in the polls, we have to go all out in this sprint to the finish, just as you say.
There are going to be a lot of very tired Democrats in PA-07 on Nov. 8. But I think we’ll be a very happy tired.
Bravo for the exceptional work you’ve done for this election, Sen. Kerry: there is no better model than you for how to keep pounding, how to stay focused, how not only to get up from disappointment and rise again, but to do so with renewed commitment , energy, purpose, and, from what I’ve been able to observe, joy. It’s an inspiration to watch you.
Regards to my home state! (I’m now one of your proud MA constituents, just returned from a weekend of campaigning in PA).
Having once lived in Delaware County, and campaigned for Bob Edgar, I can affirm MH’s statement that the Republican party “ownership” of Delaware County cannot be overstated. It was an uphill battle for Edgar, the first Democratic congressman in that district since Reconstruction, who got his toehold in the 1974 “Watergate” election. And it has not, and will not, be easy for Sestak. But I smell success, too. . . and another watershed midterm election. And good for you, MH, for working to make it happen!
PS Thanks also to Sen Kerry, whose early, consistent and continuing support of Sestak seems to me a crucial component of the hopeful state of that campaign.
It’s we who thank you, Senator, for starting the charge early and, seemingly, not resting.
Even a little known pick-up of a seat in Brooklyn/Staten Island now seems possible. I hope Steve Harrison makes it to Congress, and helps you with your sane policy on Iraq. His opponent is Bush clone, Vito Fossella.
I admit to helping more with the voting issue. We in NY are the last to comply with HAVA. Our choices, with decisions due in December, are between recountable paper ballots/optical scanners, and the ever vulnerable electronic voting.
Since there are no real safeguards or testing possible, or not even attempted, despite a City Council resolution requesting a Mock Election test, a little suggestion from you touting paper to Eliot Spitzer, our next Governor, would go a long way.
All the counties decide independently, with many very believing of the vendors claims of convenience and modern. This has become partisan, and we need a state directive requiring only PBOS.
What was once a mostly unified lever system, with bi-partisan adminstration, is now set to bring election chaos and a financial boondoogle, despite activists’ efforts. Like all the other states, we will be listened to after the fact as having been right all along.
We could use some wise intervention from on high. I’m ready to pray all the way up, if it’ll help.
Thank you Senator Kerry and Mrs. Heinz Kerry!
We are in crunch time and the inspiration you both have provided keeps up fighting right down to the wire.
And thank you also for the work you have done to help the campaigns Paul Hodes and Carol Shea Porter and other Democrats in NH. Everyone I’ve spoken to in the past month, whether Democrat, Independent or Republican is fed up with the Republican Congress and is voting Democratic this fall. I haven’t heard one person say they were voting for Charlie Bass or for Jeb Bradley. This is a sea change for NH and it is in part because of the support you have given our candidates and our state.
The work you have done to help keep NH blue has inspired many NH Democrats to keep fighting right up to the last minute. The Republicans are gearing up for a last-ditch effort, but so are we, thanks in part the communication and encouragement you have provided.
Karl Rove may have dirty tricks up his sleeve, but lack of ethics is hardly genius. Anyone can lie and cheat. You have taught us there is another way: use the truth. Shine the light of day into the dark corners where the likes of Karl Rove hide and plot, and their schemes turn to dust.
Thank you for leading the fight!
U.S. CITIZEN BRAD WILL EXECUTED IN OAXACA MASSACRE! Democracy keeps creeping in the Americas, all of them in all directions.
What Has KERRY to say and do TODAY?
11/1/2006 El Dia de la Muerte. ADELANTE!
ACCION DIRECTAMENTE.
STAT-
Dear Old Friends, comrades, fellow lunatic street fightin veterans, Kent State, and beyond Beyonce, ya say fringers and fellow travellers- A note in haste-
Gunfire fells fellow (REAL) democrat silcenced with da boys.
A letter from my dual citizen Irish-U SA native Son who is studying in Mejico.
Vicente un abrazo de Bush doce es primativo she sings she screams = cocacola in Tieng VN means just that.
Sad times here in Mexico. I don’t know how much is known about this outside Mexico, I’m sure there is way more happening than we’ll know for a while. Brad Will was one of 4 killed two days ago, there were at least 23 injured, one of them was another journalist for the conservative Mexican newspaper “Milenio”. The death toll in Oaxaca was 15 as of two days ago, I don’t know how much it will be now that the State heavies the “PFP” have been flown in to quell people power. I’m not going to say much more for now. Pleas help to raise awareness about this in your countries, pressure must be put on Mexico from abroad.
Please read what David Rovics wrote below:
feel free to post and distribute. for more information on the death of brad will and the circumstances surrounding it, check out <a href="http://www.indymedia.org">http://www.indymedia.org</a> and <a href="http://www.narconews.com">http://www.narconews.com</a>
Brad Will was a dear friend, and a true revolutionary. He died the way countless and uncounted numbers of beautiful people have died in recent centuries—he was shot in the chest by rightwing paramilitaries. He was filming the scene around one of thousands of barricades that have shut down oaxaca city since last june, when the governor there tried to ban public expressions of dissent, thus throwing one more historical spark into one more historical powder keg.
Brad embodied the spirit of indymedia. He was not just covering stories that the “mainstream” press ignores, such as the exciting, violent revolutionary moment which has gripped oaxaca for several months now. Brad was not risking his life to get a good shot of a confrontation at a barricade because he might get a photo on the cover of a newspaper, get some (perhaps well-deserved) fame and money – he was posting his communiques on indymedia, for free.
Sure, Brad was filming in order to cover history. But he was there also to make history. Brad knew that a camera is a weapon, or hopefully a shield of some sort, and sometimes can serve to de-escalate a situation, to protect people from being violated, beaten, killed. And Brad knew that if the independent media didn’t document history, nobody else would.
Read the rest here…
http://nyc.indymedia.org/en/2006/10/77931.html
[Edited for excessive length. Link to indymedia story added.]
Joe, Thanks for sharing that info and greetings to you. During the 2004 election cycle we all learned that we would have to *be the media* for reasons less violent than the ones you tell us about, but no less disturbing.
What has happened to the truth? Is it a victim of fear like the rest of us?
We are spreading lies and violence around the world; and it has to stop.
Joe,
Welcome back to Kerry blogland. (Joe was one of the Dog Hunters, the great band of Vietnam veterans who almost literally helped carry JK to victory in his first Senate race in 1984.)
Thanks for the first-hand report from Mexico. It almost doesn’t matter where you look outside the United States, there is much more going on than you would ever guess from the mainstream media. Yet every day we’re seeing that the price of unknowing can be very, very high.
And as the death of your friend shows, in their efforts to bring us more in-depth information, brave independent journalists often pay with their lives. According to the Committee to Protect Journalists, 43 people have already been killed this year because of their work as journalists. Reporters Without Borders also keeps track of assaults on reporters around the world.
Senator Kerry, thank you very much for leading the way.
Your “johnmentum” has kept me going many a day here at my home computer or on the phones at the “Patricia Madrid for Congress” headquarters in Albuquerque, where we’re fighting the rubber stamper, Heather Wilson, for District 1 House seat. Last ABQ JOURNAL poll showed Madrid 45% - Wilson 42%, and we’ll take it and better it!
I really appreciated your blog statement: ‘You could be the person who makes the phone call that gets the last voter out in one of the races that determines control of the House and Senate.’ I’ll keep your words in my mind as we hit it hard from now until November 7th.
Thank you, again, for all you have done in your public service career to fight for a better America.
God Bless.
Senator Kerry:
It was a great honor seeing you today from the screen in the flow room at Mr. Angelide’s rally today! Unfortunately, so many of us that were informed of this rally were unable to see any of the candidates in person, as I am sure you know yourself.
In any case, I would once again like to say thank you so much for coming to California to show your support for Mr. Angelides. It really was an honor to have you come, especially to all the people who are working hard for Mr. Angelide’s campaign. I have been working hard at my high school and in my community (which is very conservative) to get people to vote for Mr. Angelides. It’s very difficult to find people who are determined to vote for Mr. Angelides or who will be open enough to listen to what he has to offer. Listening to you speak today, even from a screen in a separate room, gave me a boost of determination to continue my efforts.
You truly are someone I look up to and I thank you so much for everything you have done and everything you continue to fight for to make America better.
mbk,
Thanks for your comment - Bob Edgar is a legend around here. He committed to term limits, and unlike too many politicians on this issue, he actually kept his word.
And you are absolutely right about this:
I think that first fundraising push by JK made a huge difference in the campaign - and Joe has said it himself.
Speaking of Joe Sestak, he just got a key endorsement from the local paper. Woo-hoo!
Joe,
Thank you for posting that information. I feel out of touch with what is going on in Oaxaca, and many other places in the world, because it just isn’t covered at that level in the media I normally follow. Your post is a grim reminder that there is so much more suffering and violence in this world than even the awfulness that is going on in Iraq and the other places we do hear about on the news. It’s important to have that perspective.
As to the killing (targeting?) of journalists, a phrase comes to mind: oppression fears knowledge.
Senator Kerry,
I will never forget how moved I was by your comments after you voted in 2004. I knew you were the Real Deal - no doubt about it. You did not hide after the election. You sent a video note to us telling us you would not rest, but hold the administration accountable for its actions. You have lived up to your word, and in the process motivated millions to keep up the fight. You have led an amazing effort that encompasses millions of contributors and volunteers. Thank-you.
So, Johnny, if you don’t make an effort to be smart you get stuck in Iraq.
I guess you still have no respect for the American Soldier. To you, they are ignorant victims of this administration.
Well, most don’t know how to “work the war” for their own benefit like you did.
If the Dems do make gains during next week, it’s not because they most americans are supporting your ideas. It’s because the Republicans in power have dropped the ball. It’s sad that we have one Republicrat party that has one common goal; lining it’s own pockets with the cash of hardworking REAL Americans.
Dcooper,
It appears Americans are solidly behind the Democratic Party. Please, please don’t try to conflate the two parties to give the Democratic Party part ownership of the failed policies of the Bush administration. George Bush and Donald Rumsfeld are Republicans. Remember that!
For a lesson about the party that is in the business of “lining it’s own pockets,” go here:
http://www.dccc.org/gopauctionhouse/main.html
Support the troops, vote Democratic!
......they are ignorant victims of this administration.
Posted by Dcooper | October 31, 2006 5:55 AM
We, and that includes you Dcooper, are all victims of this administration. The soldiers are not ignorant as you implied, but are merely the most deserving of our respect, support and admiration. I don’t know of anybody - other than you - who feels or has said otherwise.
The Bush administration lost its moral compass a long time ago. This is an example of how they are taking advantage of young people who may be troubled and physically unfit for the rigors of war:
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2006/10/09/national/w091821D74.DTL&feed=rss.news
It’s not surprising that it takes immoral actions to continue an illegal war!
Senator Kerry, how can you make comments that insult our military?
If they do not go to school they end up in Iraq?
Maybe they did not go to Harvard or Yale, but West Point is one of the finest schools in the world.
I would be proud for my children to serve.
Your arrogance is amazing.
I’m glad the Senator understands that working families don’t have the same opportunities for their kids as the Yale and Harvard elites. Most young people enlist because they’ve got no other alternatives. That’s what makes the tragedy of what Bush did and does to them even worse. He lied these innocent kids into a war, didn’t have a plan to secure the weapons or keep the peace, and only decide to be ‘flexible’ when he was losing in the polls, not because these kids were losing their lives.
Dcooper,
Our soldiers are “stuck” and get stuck in Iraq due to failed policies, lack of leadership and no plans for success. All of which are the fault of this current administration. It is no secret that the army has been able to reach their recruiting goals, in part because of a depressed economy, jobs going overseas and very few career opportunities for people without additional education after high school.
Instead of coming here and expressing your misguided outrage at Senator Kerry,who has done so much to support our troops in Congress and is fighting for their safe return, you should be directing your anger at the Bush administration. The Bush administration, who by misleading, mismangaging,underfunding and ignoring the needs of our solidiers, have actually offended these good men and women.
John Kerry, you once again prove to be an embarassment to this country. Your hatred for the American Soldier is coming through again. Hopefully, the true Americans left in this country will continue to vote the liars on the left out of power.
kerry is an idiot and an embarrasment to this country. he has once again slapped the face of our brave men and women who have VOLUNTEERED to protect this great country, just like he did when he came back from vietnam. its funny how he keeps harping about how president bush lied to get us into this war, but he had the same intel the president had and stated as much when he was making his failed attempt for the presidency. (thank goodness for that!!) i fear for my childrens future if the democrats do take control next week. VOTE REPUBLICAN!
Stick to your guns, John. I dropped out of college in 1963 and ended up in the Army. My son blew off college in 1991 and ended up in the Marines. It is absolutely true that the Armed Forces are an alternative to college. I too am disgusted that people who never served would trash those who did and know the terrible price some men and women have paid because they chose to join the Armed Forces instead of continuing their formal education. As for John McCain, he should be ashamed of himself.
Senator, you are a disgrace. Not only to yourself and your party but to the nation you seek to lead and destroy. I noticed how, in your statement you stumbled over the benifits of education, but you had no problem calling our military stupid. Guess what, you are the fool, not those who have bravely defended us from terrorists outside, and within. The “terrorists within” include you, your wife and your party. God help us imprison you for treason.
Jim and Jacqueline,
For you both to even suggest that Senator Kerry does not support our troops and would purposely belittle them is outragous. This is an unfounded smear against a good man who has done more than most Republicans in Congress and this administration to support our soldiers and their families. This is a man who enlisted and served his country. How dare you both come here and spread right wing smears. Have either one of you ever served this country? Have either one of you ever saved someones life? Been shot at and wounded?
Did either of you even give this good man the benefit of the doubt and wait to have the comment explained. I suspect not. Your whole purpose is to jumb on the smear wagon and discredit the senator. Well guess what, it isn’t working because we all know what a good and honorable man Senator Kerry is.
“You know, education, if you make the most of it, you study hard, you do your homework and you make an effort to be smart, you can do well. If you don’t, you get stuck in Iraq.”
I think you should apologize. Our soldiers make more then an “effort to be smart”; they are smart, courageous, and among the most honorable American citizens of our time.
Jim, can you name one thing that Senator Kerry has said or done that showed “hatred for the American soldier”? Check his voting record and you will find nothing but support for soldiers and veterans.
On the other hand, here are some of the ways that Bush has “supported” the troops.
Bush Administration cuts $1.5 billion from military family housing.
Bush Republicans support millionaires instead of military veterans.
Bush Administration underfunded veterans’ health care by $2 billion.
Bush Administration proposal would end health care benefits for 173,000 veterans.
Bush Administration budget cuts force more than 200,000 veterans to wait for health care.
Bush Administration opposed plan to give National Guard and Reserve Members access to health insurance.
Bush Administration cuts $172 million allotted for educating the children of military personnel.
Bush Administration tax cut denies military families increase in child tax credit.
JK will be holding a press conference at 2 PM EST (he’s in Seattle) to attack the latest effort of the Republicans to smear his commitment to our troops. JK put out the statement below earlier today when the Republicans first began circulating this newest lie:
Statement of John Kerry Responding to Republican Distortions, Pathetic Tony Snow Diversions and Distractions
October 31, 2006
Washington - Senator John Kerry issued the following statement in response to White House Press Secretary Tony Snow, assorted right wing nut-jobs, and right wing talk show hosts desperately distorting Kerry’s comments about President Bush to divert attention from their disastrous record:
“If anyone thinks a veteran would criticize the more than 140,000 heroes serving in Iraq and not the president who got us stuck there, they’re crazy. This is the classic G.O.P. playbook. I’m sick and tired of these despicable Republican attacks that always seem to come from those who never can be found to serve in war, but love to attack those who did.
I’m not going to be lectured by a stuffed suit White House mouthpiece standing behind a podium, or doughy Rush Limbaugh, who no doubt today will take a break from belittling Michael J. Fox’s Parkinson’s disease to start lying about me just as they have lied about Iraq. It disgusts me that these Republican hacks, who have never worn the uniform of our country lie and distort so blatantly and carelessly about those who have.
The people who owe our troops an apology are George W. Bush and Dick Cheney who misled America into war and have given us a Katrina foreign policy that has betrayed our ideals, killed and maimed our soldiers, and widened the terrorist threat instead of defeating it. These Republicans are afraid to debate veterans who live and breathe the concerns of our troops, not the empty slogans of an Administration that sent our brave troops to war without body armor.
Bottom line, these Republicans want to debate straw men because they’re afraid to debate real men. And this time it won’t work because we’re going to stay in their face with the truth and deny them even a sliver of light for their distortions. No Democrat will be bullied by an administration that has a cut and run policy in Afghanistan and a stand still and lose strategy in Iraq.”
Matt,
Senator Kerry is a war hero and a deicated public servant. His plans to fight the war in a smarter way show far more concern and consideration for the the soldiers than anyone in the Bush administration does.
They have our soldiers in the middle of a civil war. They can’t solve a civil war militarilly. They are also doing jobs the Iraqis should be doing. They should not be the people out on the streets drving trucks.
Senator Kerry was not the person who opted not to guard the KNOWN weapons depots - that the insurgents raided and have since used the munitions for IEDs
There is also a lack of logic on the interpretation of the Senators statement. It is true that people with no skills or education may have very little in the way of employment options. The Millitary DOES recruit many of these young people - and in normal times provides them training, education and helps them develop good work skills. they now would be recruited into a war where the policy is not working.
The statement does not mean that everyone in the Army has no education or ability. It means that the Army might be your only option if you don’t. Senator Kerry has always been a strong advocate on veterans benefits and has shown great concern for both the soldiers fighting and those returning and needing help.
Kerry fought to get soldiers treatment for PTSD and other conditions that were the result of their service. It’s the Republicans that cut the VA budget.
Senator Kerry, Thank You, for all the work you have done.
And, a special Thank You for your efforts in trying to bring about a sensible plan to get our troops out of Iraq.
Our troops deserve better than Donald Rumsfeld and the chickenhawk Bush administration, and their chickenhawk supporters.
I especially appreciate what you have done to help elect those who have actually worn the uniform and actually know what it means to serve in the military.
Mr. Kerry, you deeply offended me and my family with your remarks at Pasadena City College. We have served, proudly and voluntarily. We also have college educations. Enlisted (and officer corps) soldiers are NOT losers who cannot ‘navigate’ the educational system and ‘do well’. they are patriots and honorable men (and women).
Knock it off John Kerry! Give credit where it is due!
By The Way.
I heard the audio of your speach at PCC. I’m not responding to ‘lies’ ... just to what I heard you say.
If you want to know the truth about how these chickenhawks treat our soldiers, get it straight from the Army itself.
Editorial: Nothing but lip service
In recent months, President Bush and the Republican-controlled Congress have missed no opportunity to heap richly deserved praise on the military. But talk is cheap — and getting cheaper by the day, judging from the nickel-and-dime treatment the troops are getting lately.
For example, the White House griped that various pay-and-benefits incentives added to the 2004 defense budget by Congress are wasteful and unnecessary — including a modest proposal to double the $6,000 gratuity paid to families of troops who die on active duty. This comes at a time when Americans continue to die in Iraq at a rate of about one a day.
Rep. Chet Edwards, D-Texas, who notes that the House passed a resolution in March pledging “unequivocal support” to service members and their families, puts it this way: “American military men and women don’t deserve to be saluted with our words and insulted by our actions.”
Translation: Money talks — and we all know what walks.
Excerpts. Read the full article and more at Army Times.
http://www.armytimes.com/story.php?f=1-292259-1989240.php
Senator Kerry,
I take very personal your insult on the education of our troops. As a recently retired Enlisted USAF veteran with an MBA, your comments degraded all service members past, present, and future. Please take the high road and apologize publicly for your error.
Jim and Jacqueline,
As a matter of fact I have served in this great nation’s military. I was in the US Air Force in Electronic Warfare. I served in Kosovo, Saudi Arabia and Iraq, as well as many Special Operations missions that I cannot disclose. I continue to serve this country as an Electrical Engineer working on multiple military projects. I keep myself abreast of current affairs, although I DO NOT swallow whole everything I see or hear in the media. I’ve researched both our history, and the history of the countries and peoples who oppose our self-preservation. Our military is winning this war. No, the war is not about Iraq. At least not in full. It is about supressing radical Islam throughout the world. We need to not only continue our efforts in Iraq and Afgahnistan, but expand the operation to the 50+ nations, throughout this world, where radical Islam prohibits the freedoms of their population’s GOD given freedom. This “good man” has not done more for this country than the Republicans in Congress. He has stabbed this Country and its Military in their hearts and recently had the nerve to twist the knife for the uncompassionate kill. These men and women have intellegence, compassion and bravery that a man like John Kerry will never understand. Yes I saved people’s lives, the lives of many persons. I have suffered myself, fortunately I wasn’t shot, but I was not out to get a purple heart(s) to promote my career either.
So, dsh, you are not offended that the Bush administration and the neocon Congress “heap richly deserved praise on the military” and then stabs you in the back with their actions?
Words mean more to you than actions?
Taylor Marsh has the following explanation on her blog. Senator Kerry unfortunately mangled a planned joke in that line. She says:
“Not pretty and caught on tape.
Below is what Kerry actually meant to say.
“I can’t overstress the importance of a great education. Do you know where you end up if you don’t study, if you aren’t smart, if you’re intellectually lazy? You end up getting us stuck in a war in Iraq.” - Senator John Kerry
He screwed it up. Period.”
http://www.taylormarsh.com/archives_view.php?id=24759
This is what the Army times had to say about Kerry’s remarks:
Kerry was speaking at Pasadena City College, appearing with Angelides, fellow Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and other politicians.
He was trying to make a point that Angelides would be a better governor for college students because he would repeal an increase in college tuition and expand financial aid.
Kerry is a decorated Navy veteran of the Vietnam War and a fierce critic of the Bush administration’s Iraq policy who has repeatedly called for the resignation of Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld.
In an Oct. 26 statement, Kerry said it was “clearer than ever that we need new leadership if we are ever going to change the administration’s failed course in Iraq.”
Mr. Kerry. Your comments on the brave men and women who serve the United States in the War on Terror are reprehensible. The notion that only stupid people end up in the military is COMPLETELY and TOTALLY absurd. I have several friends who have already fought long and hard in this war and they were ALL there because they wanted to be there. I guess if you couldn’t get good grades or serve honorably in the military to succeed, just marry a rich widow?
Senator Kerry: I worked hard to get you elected in 2004 and I would do so again in 2008. You have said time and time again how proud you are of the brave Americans who are serving overseas.
If the country had done the right thing, and put you in the White House in 2004, there is no doubt in my mind whatsoever that hundreds of the brave kids who have died or been maimed since 2004 would now be safe at home, having resumed their pre-war lives.
I applaud your response to the pitiful Republican yes-men who shill for the morally corrupt (and most un-Christian) Republican oil lobby/war machine. Could you have said it differently? Perhaps. But no one can or should question your honor and your genuine concern for those brave kids.
It has taken two additional years of bloodshed and billions more wasted dollars for the majority of Americans to finally come around to the truth: that this war was and is founded on a lie, and that contrary to the assertion that it is preventing terrorism, it is in fact the world’s greatest greenhouse for terrorism.
Once we gain control of Congress and the Senate, it is time to take a hard look at those who lied to involve us in this tragic misadventure. Perhaps we can impeach Bush and prevent his inevitable (but hopeless) post-presidentail career of trying to burnish his ‘image’ for posterity. Let’s proclaim now what we and all the world is coming to know: that ‘W’ is the absolute worst president that the U.S. has ever had. I’m just sorry it took two solid years of bloodshed and deception for the rest of the country to find out.
sheesh,
now lamo is trying to talk his way out of his insult to our troops. blah, blah, blah… kerry is a joke and a bad one at that.
Matt - I guess you and I are the only people who accept reality for what it is! Fight the good fight Brother!
to karynnj,
why is it that the only way you libs feel you can respond is to take swipes at other people? “if you dont study, you are not smart or intellectually lazy” i guess graduating from yale makes you not smart or intellectually lazy? why do you feel you must interpret for me what this moron said? i cant help it if he cant tell a joke properly. now he comes out and says i will not apologize for what our president has said. what a perfect illustration of how stupid this man is and how stupid he thinks we are
Ryan, you said “I keep myself abreast of current affairs”.
If that’s true, then you should know that only about 2 % of insurgents that our troops are fighting in Iraq are actually terrorists.
Appears that Iraq is the wrong place to be if we intend to fight terrorists. Yet, we are mired in Iraq fighting a civil war, while the real terrorists are everywhere else but Iraq.
I think Kerry (or someone else) ought to be asking the electorate this basic question:
Who would you rather have your foxhole, John Kerry or George Bush?
For all the macho posturing, Bush is a man who has never seen combat. He deplores “cutting and running,” sending men to their deaths to perpetuate a thoughtless strategy. Bush himself avoided service to and sacrifice for his country at every turn.
So who would you rather have in your foxhole?
Ok people, I’am very new to the blog so please help me not to sound totally angry, but maybe thats the only way to take back our country...yes thats correct take back AMERICA....I strongly believe in all that Senator Kerry is doing and I know WILL do especially with ALL OUR HELP....This so called mis-spoke statement may be exactly what is happening in Iraq and at home...think about it, what a better way to keep a growing supply of armed forces..we have less middle class jobs, it’s much harder to get a student loan, not to mention how to pay for one..you need a college degree to flip burgers now just because they know we need work (to pay back all those student loans we can’t find work for)..most manufacturing jobs are now overseas, and high tech ones are on their way out too..so whats’ left should America be a two class society? Should we have to choose a life under the bridge or the armed services(they claim we’ll get an education through the armed forces, one catch you have to get home alive oh yes and in one piece..)We need to stand firmly behind Senator Kerry, his record of long proves his dedication not only to our soliders but to (US) America. We all know this administration lies, we all know the “04” election was stollen from Senator Kerry, we all know Bush is afraid of the truth and that means he’s afraid of Senator Kerry...My support and respect is as always behind him..hopefully he’ll run and with our help WIN for all of us in “08”....You’ll be hearing from me soon, I have a plan and I need your help, Remember together WE WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE....More to come.Thank You Senator Kerry....Thanks to the Kerry Blogs....BlueRose
Jay, not only has Bush never seen combat, but, everyone who pushed to invade Iraq, planned and executed the invasion, including Cheney, Rumsfeld and Wolfowitz, have never seen combat.
Rumsfeld fired or transferred every General who tried to point out flaws in Rumsfeld’s plans. This is a total chickenhawk war, totally run by chickenhawks.
And anyone has to wonder why Iraq is such a mess?
If I had to choose who I want in my foxhole, I would want someone who has the guts to come out and state what his plan is. All John Kerry can say is he’ll do it smarter. So what’s the plan John? Leave now so all the work we’ve accomplished can be for naught? Leave now so all the people who selflessly gave their lives can die in vain? WE HAVE TO WIN, FOLKS! Where did people get the idea that the war going on in Iraq is separate from the War on Terror? Let’s remember why we’re there! 3000 dead innocent Americans, 9/11/2001.
other than being a career politician (liar) what does kerry bring to the table? how does he know what is good for middle america? how does he know what its like to raise a family on a single income? his bazillionaire wife has a marginal tax rate of 18% she makes more in dividends alone than most of america. i do not begruge her, mind you, but again how can someone in that position have any idea what is best for america? the economy is in better shape than it has benn in many years (especially your beloved clinton era) unemployment is lower than it has been in 40 years. you ask who i want in my foxhole? i want some one with the guts to stand up against losers like kerry and the whole democratic party. (except maybe joe lieberman-and look what your party did to him-threw him under the bus!)
They throw all their good candidates under the bus, because they don’t go along with the liberal party leaders’ agenda. Democrats don’t have the right to speak for themselves, only the party. Anyway, Lieberman is leading in his campaign without the rest of them! I’d give the Dems McCain if we could have Lieberman.
Since your academic records, when you finally released them well after you said you would during the 2004 campaign, showed that your academic experience was not any better than the President’s was, it’s hard to believe that your were making an “intellectual” joke about the President. You said, to kids, that if you don’t study, you’ll end up in Iraq. That’s despicable. Your “eliteist” attitude turns off Democrats and Republicans alike. Why don’t you and your buddy, Ted Kennedy, just go away ... John
John, that is a good wish but Kerry and Teddy still think that they are the only ones who can “save” our country! Sorry bud, they’re not going anywhere. Just remember, don’t turn your back on Kerry and don’t take a car ride with Teddy.
Yeah, come on all of you, big strong men,
Uncle Sam needs your help again.
He’s got himself in a terrible jam
Way down yonder in Vietnam
So put down your books and pick up a gun,
We’re gonna have a whole lotta fun.
And it’s one, two, three,
What are we fighting for ?
Don’t ask me, I don’t give a damn,
Next stop is Vietnam;
And it’s five, six, seven,
Open up the pearly gates,
Well there ain’t no time to wonder why,
Whoopee! we’re all gonna die.
Well, come on generals, let’s move fast;
Your big chance has come at last.
Gotta go out and get those reds —
The only good commie is the one who’s dead
And you know that peace can only be won
When we’ve blown ‘em all to kingdom come.
And it’s one, two, three,
What are we fighting for ?
Don’t ask me, I don’t give a damn,
Next stop is Vietnam;
And it’s five, six, seven,
Open up the pearly gates,
Well there ain’t no time to wonder why
Whoopee! we’re all gonna die.
Huh!
Well, come on Wall Street, don’t move slow,
Why man, this is war au-go-go.
There’s plenty good money to be made
By supplying the Army with the tools of the trade,
Just hope and pray that if they drop the bomb,
They drop it on the Viet Cong.
And it’s one, two, three,
What are we fighting for ?
Don’t ask me, I don’t give a damn,
Next stop is Vietnam.
And it’s five, six, seven,
Open up the pearly gates,
Well there ain’t no time to wonder why
Whoopee! we’re all gonna die.
Well, come on mothers throughout the land,
Pack your boys off to Vietnam.
Come on fathers, don’t hesitate,
Send ‘em off before it’s too late.
Be the first one on your block
To have your boy come home in a box.
And it’s one, two, three
What are we fighting for ?
Don’t ask me, I don’t give a damn,
Next stop is Vietnam.
And it’s five, six, seven,
Open up the pearly gates,
Well there ain’t no time to wonder why,
Whoopee! we’re all gonna die.
Your statement this morning in Seattle was outrageous and completely uncalled for. To state that if students stay in school, they will get jobs, and for all the others, they will end up in Iraq was a very dirty uneducated statement. I have had many family members defend our country by CHOICE, not because they couldn’t get jobs. My husband has a college degree and had a pretty good job but decided that he missed the military and wanted to re-enlist so, here we are. He will be leaving for Iraq shortly. Does that mean that he couldn’t get a job? Does that mean that he hasn’t been educated? Absolutely not. It DOES mean, however, that he enjoys his job and that he wants to protect his family, YOUR family, and the rest of the men, women and children in this country.
Jean,
You make us look “typical” when you fire off a response like “Rumsfeld fired or transferred every General who tried to point out flaws in Rumsfeld’s plans. This is a total chickenhawk war, totally run by chickenhawks.”
I know you know that’s not completely true. It may be true that some officers lost “favor” and retired. Given other conditions/leadership these same officers may have continued their active duty. Some retired early not just because of the way the Iraqi invasion was being planned but also because of the manner in which Rumsfield wanted to transform the Army. I am not apologizing for anyone, rather just stating facts. Nearly all the literature critical of Rumsfield, points this out. To say they were all fired or transferred is a comment made without facts to back it up.
As for Iraq being a mess, well you over-simplify things with your last statement. It is a mess and totally fouled up, but let’s be real, it’s bigger than just not listening to some GO’s or the fact that there is a dearth of combat Vets in the Republican leadership.
John,
Thank you for your comment on our troops! You have guaranteed success for the Republican Party candidates and ensured that this country will move forward on the right track and not get derailed by a Democrat controlled congress.
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
Will
So what is the real problem? That schools and businesses are opening again in Iraq’s private sector? That the command has been turned over to the Iraqi military? That there hasn’t been a terrorist attack on our soil since we began this war? You can use your civil war argument all you want, but think back to 90 years after the U.S. was born. We had a civil war. And we survived. Nobody said that this endeavor was going to be easy. Not even President Bush himself.
Jean,
So, you must have mistook the statement about radical Islam and equated it with the term “Terrorist”. But you raise a good point You see, the proper noun “Terrorist” is highly fluid these days. In fact there are 109 different definitions of a terrorist. However, a long standing and accurate(by Geneva Conventions and NATO definitions accepted by Wesern Military Services) definition is “One who utilizes the systematic use of violence and intimidation to achieve political objectives, while disguised as a civilian non-combatant. The use of a civilian disguise while on operations exempts the perpetrator from protection under the Geneva Conventions, and consequently if captured they are liable for prosecution as common criminals.” Now, taking this definition, anyone in Iraq or Afghanistan, who uses violence, with or without manufactured weapons, is by definition a terrorist. Dressing like a civilian does not a civilian make. Now by the above definition, the 2% probably approaches 100%. Granted, there are a few in this country’s military who, in bad judgement, and horrible fashion, HAVE killed civilians because of lack of scruples. The majority of the enemy casualties in Iraq, can be considered either: a) Terrorists, or b) Unintended and regrettable collateral damage. Now, would you rather have our soldiers absorb bullets shot from inside a family home, or would you allow them to protect themselves. Our soldiers actually have displayed tremendous restraint in NOT firing in those situations, while putting themselves in situations of grave personal risk, to avoid killing TRUE innocents. I’ve exercised this restraint, and seen in exerciszed in innumerable situations. Our soldiers are not brutal killers. They want freedom not war, and not death. The freedom we desire is our own freedom, which is being challanged as we speak on multiple fronts worldwide. What right do we have to invade a “sovereign nation”? We have the right, guaranteed to any Member Nation of UNSC, when Saddam defied any of the following: USC Resolution 660, 678, 687 and 1441. Saddam broke these promises repeatedly before our Invasion in 2003. We gave them years to comly with the first 3 and over a year on 1441. No one gave the impression that the War on Terror was going to be easy, but it has been proven countless times to be neccessary. I know as well as anyone, and knew before we ever went into Iraq and Afghanistan, that this war would be more challanging than anyone made known to the general public. How? History. Afghanistan was a problem area for centuries because of the mix of cultures and beleifs present in a region forced into a “state” by the Soviet Regime in an effort to build a buffer around themselves for the expansion of the Communist way of life. Iraq was forced into a contiguous country, by the west, when the British left, after being overthrown, in 1941. Three separate peoples and faith, a ruling minority by a tyrannical dictator! Of course there will be bloodshed. Why was Iraq an imporatant part of the War on Terror, you ask? Because their Air Defense had been shattered(I myself was a part of that in 1997-1998), and it borders 2 states that are known sponsors of terrrorism. Iraq internal sponsorship of terrorism was inferred, by Saddam’s own words and actions. There were chemical weapons in Iraq. But not a stockpile. Evidence of destruction(Not in accordance to UN Resolutions) was found in the Tigris and Euphrates and desert sand. Our orignial combat objectives are complete, the War in Iraq is over. What you see now is the restoration effort. Now we won the War in Iraq in days, not years. That is more successful than any War in modern history, and I am challanged to find examples in ancient history that rival it. Now we know how long a restoration takes. In 1998, I was stationed in Germany. There were also troops in Japan. So we had troops, involved in restoration in Germany and Japan for more than 50 years. So button up your knickers, cause it’s not over yet.
Matt2,
The problem is huge, everyone agrees. I am not one to do it justice here, but I can home in on one point you made...as symptomatic of the problem:
“That the command has been turned over to the Iraqi military?”
Well there is part of the problem. That Army. Here are some ruff figures. In 1939 we had about 8 Army Divisions. Less then 4 years later we had over a 100 Army division, some of which were brand new, never before Armored Divisions and Airborne Divisions. What that shows is “we” know how to trained soldiers, NCO’s, and Officers, and we can do it on a massive scale. For some reason that isn’t happening in Iraq. I do believe they are smart enough to learn the job, but maybe they just don’t want to do it the way we do. Maybe the Iraqi people/army have their own agenda. Maybe an americanized Democracy isn’t part of the equation just yet. The Iraqi’s are a big part of the problem, both those that want us there and those that don’t.
Will
You make a good argument. The only thing I would want to wait and see about is, how much more support will the Iraqi Military see once Saddam’s trials have ended and he can no longer be seen as a threat to the people. I honestly think that being dictated by him as long as they were, that many may still fearn for their lives if he somehow got back into power, and they were on the side that supports democracy. They know his track record. I would say give it a chance before giving up.
that typo was supposed to say “fear for their lives” not “fearn”