Iraq war splits Democrats seeking to replace Bush

[jamesinca]

Most candidates support some level of U.N. involvement

Robert Collier, Chronicle Staff Writer Friday, August 1, 2003

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


<SNIP>

The debate heated up this week, with Sen. Joe Lieberman of Connecticut leading the attack on former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean, who has ridden his anti- war position up a steep climb in the polls. In a speech Monday, Lieberman emphasized his support for the war and criticized Dean for being soft on terrorism.

"By their words, some in my party threaten to send a message that they don't know a just war when they see it, and more broadly, are not prepared to use our military strength to protect our security and the cause of freedom," Lieberman said.

<SNIP>

No Democrat has advocated a pullout of U.S. troops. Even Dean, who strongly opposed the war before it started in March, favors sending more American troops to Iraq to stabilize the situation there. But he has been the most vocal advocate of a greater role for the United Nations in policing and rebuilding Iraq.

<SNIP>

MORE BACKING FOR U.N. ROLE
In recent days, fellow front-runners Rep. Dick Gephardt of Missouri and Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts also have backed a greater U.N. role, though they have taken a more cautious tack. Both have suggested that Bush seek U.N. approval for NATO to intervene but have avoided any suggestion that the world body be given real authority over Iraqi political affairs.

-snip-

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2003/08/01/MN34625.DTL

I cut and snip a lot out of the article, it is a good one. Go to the site and read the entire thing. This article is one more reason I won't vote for Lieberman.

EDITED BY ADMIN FOR COPYRIGHT REASONS

[Gin]

1. Lieberman....has coooked his democratic presidential goose....if this was

a just war...I would like to see what he calls unjust...Dean says we shouldn't have gone...not that we must leave.

[jamesinca]

2. He is pushing the DLC line of pro war

The DLC seems to think that pro war = tough on terroism, good for national security. I am sorry but this makes me a one issue voter. That issue is if the DLC supports you , I will not vote for you!!

[newyawker99]

13. jamesinca

Per DU copyright rules
please post only 4
paragraphs from the
news source.

Thank you.

NYer99
DU Moderator

[Larkspur]

3. Iraq will be Bush's "Titanic" disaster

"Even if Saddam Hussein is captured, Bush will get a bump (in the polls), but that may not last because the questions will stay -- 'When are U.S. troops leaving?' and 'How many are we going to lose?' Macho can backfire in this case. "

[RandomKoolzip]

4. Great, Lieberman and the DLC say that we have to continue licking

Bush's Cowboy Boots; screw that. Why should we give half a tinker's dam what these "appeasers" think?

WE WILL WIN IN 2004, with or without the support of the DLC. Even if we don't, at least we'll be in the right.

[lcordero]

5. hmmmm

No Democrat has advocated a pullout of U.S. troops. Even Dean, who strongly opposed the war before it started in March, favors sending more American troops to Iraq to stabilize the situation there. But he has been the most vocal advocate of a greater role for the United Nations in policing and rebuilding Iraq.

That's not necessarily true.
http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/oh10_kucinich/030728Iraqst.html

[jamesinca]

8. Good point and great post

I guess that is why this Robert Collier has not made it past staff writer. But reading the article I do know this much it has a distinct pro-Dean flavor. I am a Dean supporter so I have no problem with that. My issue with DK is this and it is the only thing I have found unlikeable about him; he is not picking up the poll numbers. That is it, he has a great message so I really do like you posting his site on the thread. In the event he does not get the Dem primary, I would get very excited if he was selected as the VP on the ticket.

[Tinoire]

10. Dupe

[Tinoire]

11. I was stunned when I read that article!

Thanks for catching that and posting the reference.
By the way, check your in-box.

[HFishbine]

6. "they don't know a just war when they see it"

No, Joe. Some don't know an unjust war when they see it. But thanks for playing.

[qb]

7. Yeah - it splits them into Democrats and Faux Democrats. nt

[KoKo]

9. Much as I dislike the infighting it's a good house cleaning for us........

doesn't seem like it right now.....but down the road it will be better for us to get all the junk out of the closet and start organizing and weeding out the old stuff that doesn't work anymore. Then do a good vacuum and maybe some fresh paint and when we look in that Dem closet again we will be organized and better able to use what we couldn't find before the big clean out.

We might even find some old stuff that looks new tucked away in all that mess........some principles which had been forgotten, some ideas which had been buried........ A good cleaning could make them useable again.

[damnraddem]

12. They just don't get it:

the unjust invasion of Iraq was a crime, one compounded by the crimes of negligence on the part of the occupying parties, as well as outright further war crimes committed there. This is the important thing. If the Democratic Party will promise a different course than Dubya's, it can gain from such a forthright stand. If, on the other hand, the Democratic Party capitulates to Dubya, adopts the idiotic and immoral stand that Lieberman has, nominates Lieberman as its candidate, then it is also the enemy. Under those circumstances, it has no call on my loyalty or my respect, and I wish it only the worst, just as I do the GOP. I certainly hope that there are a vast majority of Democrats who feel the same way; but whether or not there are, this is my position. If the DLC can get behind someone like Kerry, and if Kerry can continue his trek from war support to criticism, that's fine -- I can hold my nose and vote for him, just as I did twice for Bill Clinton. But if the Democratic Party supports the invasion of Iraq, then it deserves nothing other than destruction.

[aquart]

14. Not a split, sweetie: Democratic process. Primaries.

We hear a lot of different opinions and select the one we prefer.

BY VOTING.

Republicans wouldn't recognize it, but there you are.

[Herschel]

15. Joe Lieberman for President

A strong leader against terror is required. He also sees the war on Iraq as just. He has a strong stand in foreign affairs.

[sujan]

16. what are you smoking?

"He also sees the war on Iraq as just."

Waging crusade against an innocent populace just because President Bush didn't like Saddam is NOT A JUST CAUSE? Get it? I am disgusted at those who support this illegal invasion.