Kerry 2004, draft 2005?

[regnaD kciN]

I was taking a look at Kerry's web site, and I found the following in the middle of "Foreign Policy in a Post-Saddam World," a speech he delivered at Drake University on Decemer 16, 2003:

As we internationalize the work in Iraq, we need to add 40,000 troops – the equivalent of two divisions – to the American military in order to meet our responsibilities elsewhere – especially in the urgent global war on terror. In my first 100 days as President, I will move to increase the size of our Armed Forces. Some may not like that. But today, in the face of grave challenges, our armed forces are spread too thin. Our troops in Iraq are paying the price for this everyday. There’s not enough troops in the ranks of our overall armed forces to bring home those troops that have been in Iraq for more than a year.

http://www.johnkerry.com/pressroom/speeches/spc_2003_1216.html

Now, I don't know if those words meant that Kerry is planning to revive the draft upon becoming president. But, considering that there are "not enough troops in the ranks of our overall armed forces," I'm curious as to just how else Kerry would plan to plug that 40,000-soldier gap...especially in a way that he clearly recognizes "some" may not like?

:shrug:

[boxster]

1. I disagree.

He's not going to re-institute the draft. Increasing the size of the military by paying them more and spending more money on recruiting pisses off plenty of people. The increase in the military budget is what he's talking about.

Edit: wording fix

[coloradodem2005]

20. Not to mention increasing their health benefits.

[jfxgillis]

2. Shrug. Don't tell anyone ...

... but I'm hoping you're right.

I ain't happy about it, but between noxious events, either conscription or what we have now, namely the US military in effect functioning as a huge Republican-oriented militia, I choose a draft.

I hope Kerry DOES re-instate the draft, though it'll probably make him a one-term President. That's one of the reasons I'm supporting him.

More likely, he'll push through the McCain-Bayh "national service" bill, which establishes the military as just one of a set of possibilities for compulsory service.

[bigtree]

34. He doesn't support the draft. He wants to lessen the burden of commitments

MR. GRIFFITH: Senator Kerry, in a speech at Drake University, you said in your first 100 days you would move to increase our armed forces by as much as 40,000 troops. You said there was a dire need for two full divisions. I'm the parent of two teenage sons. I-we're patriots, and people are wondering right now about voluntary versus draft. And, as president, how do you hope to lure and attract quality people into the military? And, as a follow-up, where do you stand on the issue of the draft?

SEN. KERRY: We don't need a draft now, and I wouldn't be in favor of it under the current circumstances. But, look, the first place you start to attract people into the military is to have a president who can prove to America that that president will be responsible about how that president deploys the military.

All across this country there are families right now-all of us have talked to them-who are suffering greatly, because the Guards and Reserves have been called up. They're overextended. The troops of the United States of America are overextended. Their deployments are too long. The families are hurting at home because they lose money from the private sector when they're called up, and they get paid less in the military, and nobody makes it up to them.

The fact is if we are going to maintain this level of commitment on a global basis-for the moment we have to, because of what's happened-we need an additional two divisions. One is a combat division, and one is a support division.

And that's the responsible thing to do. I've also said, responsibly, that's temporary, because I intend to be a president who goes back to the United Nations, rejoins the community of nations, brings other boots on the ground to help us in the world, and reduces the overall need for deployment of American forces in the globe-and I mean North Korea, Germany and the rest of the world where we can begin to set up a new architecture of participation of other countries.
http://www.vote-smart.org/speech_detail.php?speech_id=M000027534&keywo...

[mouse7]

3. I don't really think so.

You don't think the NHL will draft Kerry, do you? He's not a bad player for his age, but I think saying he will be picked in the 2005 draft is a stretch

[LeftPeopleFinishFirst]

11. haha

I love you for posting that, this thread needed a little something extra... :D

[Gman]

4. You don't understand Kerry

Learn about the Viet Nam war protest movement and you'll understand why there will be no draft under Kerry. Kerry won't let what went on in the '60's happen again.

[jfxgillis]

7. I think you have that backwards

It was in part BECAUSE we had a draft, not despite it, that the anti-war movement succeeded then.

I might add, it's an issue I've turned 180 degrees on over 35 thirty0five years.

[littlejoe]

31. Let me get this straight. You are for the draft?

[jfxgillis]

35. Yes, you have that straight

And though I doubt Kerry will outright support a draft in the election campaign, I think it's possible that he will if he wins the White House, and that is one of the reasons I'm supporting him.

[killbotfactory]

37. I wouldn't think he'd support a draft for this mistaken war..

but that's the direction he seems to be headed.

[Mairead]

5. Kerry = draft is a given, I should think

But also Edwards = draft, because the reality is that Iraq is a sink that's consuming soldiers, and the US military is already thin on the ground. So the only way to keep feeding the grinder over there is with conscripts.

I don't think enough people appreciate that reality yet. Let's hope people figure it out before they nominate one of those guys.

[oasis]

6. Kerry is pushing for more international cooperation in Iraq. No draft.

After listening to twenty or more of Kerry's carefully detailed speeches, I never once heard him mention a draft.

[jfxgillis]

8. As I said above ...

... I'm thinking he goes for "national service," including a military option/component.

[oasis]

10. A "move to increase the size of our armed forces" can be accomplished

by incentives. A draft is not needed if Kerry is president because he won't be pursuing Bush's policy of preemption.

[jfxgillis]

13. True and true

Nevertheless, I think a draft or national service is good public policy and I'm guessing Kerry thinks that too.

Moreover, whether he "follows" Bush's's policy or not, he will be following Bush. We can't just abandon Iraq now.

[oasis]

16. We will not abandon Iraq. Other nations await our elections before they

will commit troops to assist. They do not wish to endorse Bush's reckless policies by helping right now.

[DuctapeFatwa]

28. I think he will call it "progressive intervention"

Although the reality on the ground for the victims will be unchanged, Kerry definitely has the language skills and rhetorical talent that bush lacks to make the policy sound more attractive.

[littlejoe]

32. You are DEEPLY mistaken. If you think that, then you know

too little about Sen. Kerry.

[DuctapeFatwa]

9. He says he doesn't think a draft is necessary "at this time"

As you point out, however, he does believe that 40,000 additional resources are needed in Iraq alone, and even if he is successful in his bid to bribe other countries to send their own expendables in exchange for a share of America's oil there, and even assuming that Israeli resources are to be deployed to Syria, Iran is a very large country, with a population much larger than that of Iraq, and no indication that they will welcome the opportunity afforded by the furthering of US business interests there, as significant numbers of personnel will be required to get it depopulated and natural resources secured.

[NNN0LHI]

23. Is not saying he doesn't think a draft is necessary "at this time" correct?

Bush has got us into all kinds of stuff and I fear it may get worse before it gets better. I hope like hell that we never get into a position where we need a draft but even though I am as anti-war as Kerry is I think neither of us are pacifists. I believe in protecting our country, but I don't promote imperialism. But to completely rule out the need for a draft is not practical in these times if it ever was. That is just a fact of life. I don't think anyone could get elected with the position of refusing to institute the draft in a true time of need. I am not sure I would vote for that person even though I consider myself a dove. Strange, huh?

Don

[DuctapeFatwa]

24. What you see as imperialism, defense and energy industries see as

a time of need. A rich man who does not wish to be richer is a rare phenomenon, and there are indeed many many rogue natives who believe that the lands of their fathers, and the resources thereon, are not US property.

Such troublesome populations constitute an imminent threat to US business interests, and I do not mean to suggest that any candidate who is considered "electable" would hesitate to take any and all measures, including a draft, to protect US interests from such a threat.

[LeftPeopleFinishFirst]

12. I don't think a draft is what he's inferring there.

Increasing the size of the Armed Forces can also mean increasing budget, supplies, etc. It's probably not going to be a draft under the Kerry administration. Perhaps there will be new incentives for joining the Armed Forces under his plan or something along those lines. That would definitely increase the amount of soldiers we have, if the incentive was good enough. Just my two cents on this, but Kerry wouldn't ever start a draft. Vietnam, anyone?

[oasis]

14. When Bush is no longer CIC, that will be an incentive to lure recruits.

They'll know Crusader Bunnypants won't be creating wars for them to fight in.

[LeftPeopleFinishFirst]

15. That was my thought too.

Good point.

[GreenArrow]

17. Kerry. Edwards. Bush

Draft coming with all these guys. Don't forget the War on Terror (TM) which entails a more or less permanent military economy.

[WhoCountsTheVotes]

21. there is still oil in Iraq, and all Dems will keep troops there

We have to "finish the job" of getting all that oil in Iraq, don't forget!

[BradCKY]

18. Doubt it

He may mean more reservists though.

[King of New Orleans]

19. If you read some news stories you'll find out what the issue is

It has to do with troop rotations and the fact that each branch of the armed forces have a cap as to have many soldiers they can have at one time. Because of this cap, the army can't successfully pull off the current rotation of troops in/out of Iraq without undertaking an extreme measure, forcing some soldiers who's enlistment period is up to remain in service for at least an extra 90 days. An unknown number of soldiers (at least 7000) have lost their "volunteer status" since they can't leave the armed forces despite completing their enlistment period--and actually showing up for all of it.

If the army was permitted to raise their cap, such unvoluntary tactics wouldn't have to be resorted to (except probably in some highly specialized situations).

The proposal to raise the cap on the Army specifically would actually restore the voluntary principle (assuming the army could recruit/retain soliers thru incentives etc...)

Now, it can be argued that the next time troop rotations will be done for Iraq, there won't be as many troops going over there and the involuntary tactic won't be needed again, so in that respect you could say that Kerry is addressing the current problem more than laying out a future plan to get out of Iraq.

[coloradodem2005]

22. What Kerry said about the War on Terror.

He said that most of the War on Terror is intelligence gathering with only a few military engagements.

I hope he means it. BTW I don't think that a draft is good national policy because I don't believe in making people do what they don't want to.

Also Kerry defended Clinton on his alleged Draft Dodging.

[Nashyra]

25. No Draft under Kerry

Clark would not have thrown his support to Kerry if there was any idication that there was going to be a draft. I was fortunate enough to be able to speak with Wes Jr. after one of the rallies and he was adamant that "his dad would never support a draft". Obvisously if it turned to WW3 and we were attacked on all sides different story, but with the idiot out of the WH that won't happen. We will regain the cooperation of many of our allies with * gone.

[adadem]

26. I agree

Because shrub and his cohorts alienated our allies with their "go it alone" policy they had to call up the Reservists. And they are quitting because of it. Once our "ties" are mended with the world community we should not need to tap the Reserves.

[Donna Zen]

27. A formula:

Bush=absolute certainty of a draft

Edwards=probably draft with Shelton the oil hawk-lobbyist on board.

Kerry=no draft especially if (and that is a big if folks since the rightwing and leftwing have bashed his reputation until his among the untouchables) Clark is on board. Clark hates the draft concept. Plus, Clark can get you out of Iraq.

[citizen snips]

29. Nope.

Reinstating the draft would be political suicide for any candidate.

[littlejoe]

30. John Kerry WILL NOT institute a draft. PERIOD

So many feel that Kerry is a warmonger, when it couldn't be further from the truth.

I lived through Vietnam, and I know how volatile of an issue the draft is. I will never forget it.

ANYONE who tries to re-institute the draft in this country for no better than peace-keeping purposes will be committing political suicide, and they know it!

[dawn]

33. No.

I don't think Kerry or Edwards will reinstate the draft. They will get more international cooperation to help us in Iraq. We can't just pack up and leave! (Remember, Dean said the same thing.)

I also don't see those two as imperialists like Bush* and co.

But Bush* victory would almost guarantee a draft, because he'd invade Iran, Syria, and a host of other Middle Eastern nations.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

36. Yes, he is going to begin drafting breast fed babies from the moment they

have been weaned. It will obviate the need for public education and child care since they will be babysat and educated by the military . It is the best way to get the working woman's vote, the pro-public education vote, make up for NCLB, address the shrinking pool of available jobs and get the "Strong on defense" vote too.

Besides, Nascar dads don't want their sons growing up to be sissies. This will handle that. They will be flying fighter planes by the age of three (the defense industry gave him a contribution and flighter planes are currently being fit with booster seats with Sponge Bob on them)
That's what makes him more electable.

*sarcasm on*