Kerry/Clark/Edwards supporters - your guy's position on the Iraq invasion?

[Skip Intro]

I am seeking clarity.

What was your candidate's position on attacking Iraq before bush attacked, and what is it now?

Thanks.

[pnziii]

1. Hold on....

You'll have to ask this again tomorrow, because it's sure to change again.......like the wind

[Feanorcurufinwe]

2. Kerry's Position

Before the invasion:

But the burden is also clearly on the Bush Administration to do the hard work of building a broad coalition at the U.N. and the necessary work of educating America about the rationale for war.

As I have said frequently and repeat here today, the United States should never go to war because it wants to, the United States should go to war because we have to. And we don't have to until we have exhausted the remedies available, built legitimacy and earned the consent of the American people, absent, of course, an imminent threat requiring urgent action.

The Administration must pass this test. I believe they must take the time to do the hard work of diplomacy. They must do a better job of making their case to the American people and to the world.

I have no doubt of the outcome of war itself should it be necessary. We will win. But what matters is not just what we win but what we lose. We need to make certain that we have not unnecessarily twisted so many arms, created so many reluctant partners, abused the trust of Congress, or strained so many relations, that the longer term and more immediate vital war on terror is made more difficult. And we should be particularly concerned that we do not go alone or essentially alone if we can avoid it, because the complications and costs of post-war Iraq would be far better managed and shared with United Nation's participation. And, while American security must never be ceded to any institution or to another institution's decision, I say to the President, show respect for the process of international diplomacy because it is not only right, it can make America stronger - and show the world some appropriate patience in building a genuine coalition. Mr. President, do not rush to war.
--John Kerry Jan. 23, 2003
http://www.johnkerry.com/pressroom/speeches/spc_2003_0123.html

After the invasion: the same

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

3. Please explain your guys position prior to the time he discovered

he could capitalize on a presidential run by touting himself as the anti-war candidate.

[sangh0]

4. Please explain this!

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2002/09/30/ftn/printable523726.shtml

"Look, it's very simple. Here's what we ought to have done. We should have gone to the U.N. Security Council. We should have asked for a resolution to allow the inspectors back in with no pre-conditions. And then we should have given them a deadline saying "If you don't do this, say, within 60 days, we will reserve our right as Americans to defend ourselves and we will go into Iraq."