Reply #93: An Answer From A Kerry Man [View All]

[DrFunkenstein]

Kerry's position: A) that he would have done it a different way, but he is generally pleased with the outcomes of the invasion, OR B) that the costs of the invasion are too high for the benefits derived?

I'm not sure if you are looking for an exact quote framed under the terms you put out, but I don't have much problem answering B. I think Kerry's goal was clearly disarmament, not regime change.

Kerry said on one of the Sunday morning shows in December that there was no reason why inspectors couldn't still be there. I remember the host repeating it back and Kerry saying it again.

The only benefits to be seen today are regime change, while the costs in lives and dollars are enormous. I find it hard to believe that anyone would suggest that Kerry is generally pleased with the outcome, although people around here tend to renew my faith.

I've tried my best to answer the question presented. Let me know if I'm missing the point somehow.

Here's a quote from Rolling Stone that might help:

"I voted to protect the security of our country, based on the notion that the only way to get inspectors back in was to have a legitimate threat of force and the potential of using it. They took that legitimacy and bastardized it. If I were president, we would not be in Iraq today -- we would not be at war."

http://www.rollingstone.com/features/nationalaffairs/featuregen.asp?pid=2454

And from Will Pitt's interview:

“The way Powell, Eagleberger, Scowcroft, and the others were talking at the time,” continued Kerry, “I felt confident that Bush would work with the international community. I took the President at his word. We were told that any course would lead through the United Nations, and that war would be an absolute last resort.

Many people I am close with, both Democrats and Republicans, who are also close to Bush told me unequivocally that no decisions had been made about the course of action. Bush hadn’t yet been hijacked by Wolfowitz, Perle, Cheney and that whole crew. Did I think Bush was going to charge unilaterally into war? No. Did I think he would make such an incredible mess of the situation? No. Am I angry about it? You’re God damned right I am. I chose to believe the President of the United States. That was a terrible mistake.”

The most revealing moment of the entire event came as it was breaking up. Kerry was slowly working towards the door when he was collared by Art Spiegelman. Though Kerry towered over him, Spiegelman appeared to grow with the intensity of his passion. “Senator,” he said, “the best thing you could do is to is to just come out and say that you were wrong to trust Bush. Say that you though he would keep his promises, but that you gave him more credit than he deserved. Say that you’re sorry, and then turn the debate towards what is best for the country in 2004.”

Kerry nodded, bowed his head, and said, “You’re right. I was wrong to trust him. I’m sorry I did.”

http://truthout.org/docs_03/121003A.shtml