Reply #5: John Kerry's experience [View All]

[MaineDem]

During his 18 years of service on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, John Kerry has distinguished himself as a seasoned leader and one of our nation’s most respected voices on national security and international affairs. A decorated combat veteran and the son of an American diplomat, he has been out front in the battle to control the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, modernize our military, promote democracy and respect for human rights abroad, and improve our homeland security.

Beginning with his groundbreaking work on the Senate investigations into the Iran-Contra and BCCI scandals, Senator Kerry has taken on complex and challenging issues, earning a bipartisan reputation for integrity and perseverance. As chairman of the Senate Select Committee on POW/MIA Affairs, Senator Kerry traveled frequently to Southeast Asia to investigate the fate of missing American soldiers, laying the groundwork for normalization of diplomatic and trade relations with Vietnam. He has continued to play a prominent role in formulating U.S. policy in the region in his role as ranking Democrat on the East Asian and Pacific Affairs Subcommittee.

In 1997 Kerry wrote The New War, an in-depth assessment of the national security issues facing the United States in the 21st Century. Drawing on his extensive Senate experience, including a term as chairman of the Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Terrorism, Narcotics and International Operations, Senator Kerry played a key role in crafting the American response to the events of September 11th, and he has since been a leading Democratic voice on developments in Iraq and Afghanistan, the fight against terrorism, and the Middle East peace process.

...from the John Kerry web site.

I complained that GW Bush had no experience in this area in the last election. It's one of the issues that steered me away from Howard Dean. I really feel that Kerry's experience - the fact that he's met with world leaders and understands the importance of the US's role in a global village - is perhaps one of his strongest assests.