Talking Point: Kerry Understands The Foot Soldier Perspective

[DrFunkenstein]

We should work to make this point much more explicit to the Middle American. Kerry has been there and THAT is why his experience is relevant.

On top of that, Bush's lack of experience is also very relevant. Not because you have to serve to be an effective leader, but because he he systematically ignored the warnings of the people with combat experience in the State Department in favor of his political buddies at the Pentagon (chickenhawk central).

Is it any wonder that Rumsfeld ignored Powell's post-war scenario research? Or the pleas of the General's that the Rumsfeld's small & speedy forces stretched supply lines and could not possibly secure Baghdad once it fell, let alone the WMD sites which went unsearched literally for weeks.

Is it any wonder that - according to the Woodward book - that Bush never bothered to ask ONE TIME for un-rosy contingencies, let alone worst-case scenarios?

This is because Bush:

1. Has no clue, and
2. Is too arrogant to realize that.

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

Leading to a related talking point:

Kerry is pro-soldier, Bush is pro-contractor. Again, a symptom of their relative experiences.





In case you didn't realize, that's a picture of Houston...

[RafterMan]

1. To be fair

Rumsfeld was a Navy pilot.

[Feanorcurufinwe]

2. Pretty far removed from the foot soldier perspective

wouldn't you say?

[DrFunkenstein]

9. He Never Saw A Day of Combat

He was a flight instructor.

"Mr. Rumsfeld attended Princeton University on academic and NROTC scholarships (A.B., 1954) and served in the U.S. Navy (1954-57) as an aviator and flight instructor. In 1957, he transferred to the Ready Reserve and continued his Naval service in flying and administrative assignments as a drilling reservist until 1975."

http://www.defenselink.mil/bios/rumsfeld.html

[RafterMan]

13. Why jump on the guy

because there wasn't a war on when he was on active duty?

There are plenty of bad things to say about Rummy. Chickenhawk isn't one of them.

[DEMVET-USMC]

3. Bush is arrogant fool,Marine Gen. Zinni,Top Army Gen. ignored

Correct me if I am wrong, but was there not a change in who was the Army Chief of Staff,the top Army General just one month prior to the start of Gulf War 2 because he wanted a lot more troops. Also recall the first Gulf War when Daddy Warbucks called upon the Iraqi People to overthrow Saddam`s Regime and the Iraqis rose up and were on the verge of toppling Saddam when inexplicably George the 1st gave Saddam`s army permission to go after the Iraqi Rebels with tanks and helicopters.We did absolutely nothing to help them. George the 1st declared victory and we left and now we are back and George the 1st is getting richer and richer as an arms and munitions dealer. The Bush family has a long and sordid history of war profiteering. Grandpa Bush and his Father in Law George Walker,played a large role in the very creation of the NAZI PARTY and continued trading with the Enemy well after America`s entry into the war against Nazi Germany.You can go to < www.tarpley.net > for that story. Click the Shrub`s BIO ,then chapter 2 THE HITLER PROJECT. ...Oscar

[MercutioATC]

4. Yeah, but do you want a grunt running a war??

Firsthand perspective is all well and good, but neither Kerry nor Bush have real experience managing a conflict. Of the two, Bush actually has MORE experience (not success, but experience).

[Feanorcurufinwe]

5. You want someone who understands the true human cost in charge.

Or, at least I do.

[MercutioATC]

6. Someone who understands, yes, but you also want a wider view.

Wars would never be "won" if the commander wasn't willing to make strategic sacrifices that the man in the field wouldn't.

The firsthand grunt experience is good, but could actually be a detriment unless a more comprehensive view is also kept.

[Feanorcurufinwe]

7. Like, the kind you'd get as a long-term Senator?

[MercutioATC]

8. Actually, the kind you'd get as a long-term analyst, but they don't

usually run for President.

[Feanorcurufinwe]

10. Senators don't analyze the information they receive?

I guess Kerry has been just daydreaming all these years. :eyes:

[JayS]

11. "Senators don't analyze the information they receive"

Lose the question mark and this is an accurate statement! :)

[Feanorcurufinwe]

12. If you believe that

I hope you are working towards having your Senator replaced.

[DrFunkenstein]

14. But That Would Be Another Senator - We'd Have To Replace Him, Too

...with another Senator.