Watch Kerry smack down McCain on Meet the Press

[ProSense]

Video: Meet the Press: Sen. John Kerry and Sen. John McCain on Iraq (up now)

Excerpt from Transcript:

SEN. McCAIN: ...I hope that we will have the patience and the understanding on the part of the American people that they’ve made great sacrifice and all of us are saddened by it. But I hope we can also point out the consequences of failure, which is what the Democrats are proposing now.

SEN. KERRY: Listen to that. You just said the Democrats are proposing failure. We’ve had...

SEN. McCAIN: Yeah. (Unintelligible)...failure.

SEN. KERRY: ...four and a half years of failure. The Republicans stood up and cheered for Rumsfeld, who had a policy of not enough troops. To his credit, John at least said he needs more troops. But the fact is they’ve supported every step of this president, misleading America about the course of this war. Last January the president stood up to Americans. You know what he said, Tim? He said, “We will hold them accountable to their benchmarks.” They’re not holding them accountable. They have no means of holding them accountable because they’ve said we’re going to stay there with 130,000 troops into next summer. They have no leverage.

We are not proposing failure, as John loves to assert and Republicans loves to assert. We are proposing a way to strengthen America in the region. We’re proposing a way to, in fact, make Iraq successful to the degree that it can be by playing to the real undercurrents of their, of their cultural and historical divisions. Nothing in the surge addresses the question of Shia, Sunni divide. Nothing in the surge is going to resolve the fundamental reluctance of Iraqi politicians to make a decision, Tim.

Now, we’re not talking about abandoning the place. Why do the Republicans have a complete inability to envision a foreign policy, as we used to have, Republican and Democrat alike, which plays to our strengths and builds alliances with other countries? Bring the United Nations back in. Bring the neighbors into this. Have a standing summit in a standing conference where we resolve these differences as best as can be. The United States can’t do it alone. And we have to change the equation so we regain leverage and initiative. That’s not walking away, that’s walking forward and putting us in a stronger posture.

[globalvillage]

1. Sen Kerry kicked ass. n/t

[Beartracks]

54. Even though WE know he kicked ass...

... what are the chances that others -- Republicans, or Independents -- will ALSO agree that Kerry made a lot more sense in that exchange? Do any of these small, media victories get noticed or understood by the sheeple in the electorate? 'Cause it seems like these moments would be more "victorious" if they resulted in getting more and more people to actually, you know, THINK about things rather than just accept the usual rightwing platitudes.

[ClintonTyree]

61. Accepting the usual rightwing platitudes.....

is just so much EASIER than thinking though. McCain said it in a few words: Democrats = failure. Kerry spoke and entire PARAGRAPH rebutting McCain's ridiculous statement. Now, who will the American people believe? The guy who gave them the least to think about, that's who. Thinking makes Americans' brains hurt. That's the reason why there are countless millions glued to their TVs each Sunday watching football and soap operas. There's no thinking involved.

Most Americans are lazy people. They'll take the easiest route possible to solve any problem, which makes Republicans so attractive to them. Republicans see and think in black and white: no shades of gray. Now, isn't that MUCH easier than looking at all the variables of a problem? You bet it is, and Americans will jump at the easiest solution possible. That's why Republicans win. They appeal to American's base instincts.

I'm with you. I have little faith in the American people to make the best informed decisions. They seem to wear their ignorance as a badge of honor.

[barbtries]

75. hey! i'm an american

"Thinking makes Americans' brains hurt." and i resemble that remark.

[karynnj]

79. The audience here is not the entire American population

but the segment of the population that opts to spend part of their Sunday watching political talk shows. Kerry's answer was appropriate for the audience that was watching it. It is also not a complex sentence - if he were righting it - it could even be converted to a bullet point list. This is easy to follow and makes the case that it is the Republicans who have backed the Presidents policies. Everyone listening knew the other side of the coin - Kerry has been speaking out for years.

I think that you can err on side of acting as if the public is stupid. It comes off as arrogant. I think in 2004, people were looking for a nominee smart enough who they could trust would work his heart out to try to fix the country and the world. Kerry's ability to be honest and to articulate complexities was not a negative. I knew many people who moved to him as primaries approached because of this.

[ClintonTyree]

80. Perhaps you misunderstand me...

I wasn't chastising Kerry for explaining, in more than one sentence, McCain's ludicrous statement. My point being that today's issues cannot be explained in one catch phrase or talking point.

Kerry is an immensely intelligent person but most Americans don't care for that. They'd rather have some "folksy", "plain speaking", "someone I'd like to have a beer with" ignoramus like George Bush. If that sounds arrogant, oh well. I've dealt with too many of these people to think otherwise. It's my opinion that most Americans are intellectually lazy. Your opinion may vary. :)

[karynnj]

81. The funny thing is that Kerry was fun to have a beer with -

as several DU JK people (not me) found out. I did find that he is plain spoken and incredibly serious and sincere - and witty. It wasn't who either of them were. It was how the media edited them.

Even in public forumns, I was surprised at how kind Kerry was to people others would have pushed aside - in one of the C-SPAN Iowa videos from last year, one guy obnoxiously asked Kerry whether he thought he would get Jane Fonda to help him promote Kerry/Feingold. Kerry said no, then politely but strongly listed the points of the plan. Kerry then found that he and his wife raised goats and charmingly talked to them of his step son who had goats on his farm and how cute a motherless goat was who followed them around. Later, when Kerry was speaking to others, the man came over, and explained that he had a son in Iraq he was worried about and they spoke of that. It was not clear if he would support Kerry, it was clear that he likely ended up seeing him as well meaning.

But, more to the point - I am with you in not caring if the President would be fun to have a beer with. I want someone with Kerry's character, brilliance, eloquence, and knowledge - and there are few people with all of those characteristics.

[Kajsa]

2. Kerry countered that " failure" crap

very well.

Don't the Repubs have any real talking points?

Do they have to fabricate them?

[Gman]

3. OH MY GOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Entirely too much logic and common sense!!!!!!!!!!!

[Inuca]

4. McCain was truly appalling

not only the content of what he said, but his whole demeanor and attitude. Kerry was extraordinarily good, I just wish that at some point he would have just stopped and slapped McCain for behaving like an ass :-).

[karynnj]

21. I think he effectively slapped him down verbally several times

He really was very very good. I was amazed at how quickly he put away McCain's points each time - then gave incredible insightful information that people really need to get to understand the situation. I especially liked his comments on the Sunni view of Shiites.

[Supersedeas]

72. the turning of the aspens is complete -- McCain has turned a new leaf

[Beausoir]

5. Thanks for the link.

McInsane. He's really scary.

[Ezlivin]

6. Too bad that to "reach people" he'd need to make that long statement into a snappy retort

The Republicans play well to the ADD crowd with their snappy logos and pithy sayings, leaving it to the Democrats to formulate realistic and logical retorts which simply cannot be summed up in a simple sentence.

I'll bet that most KoolAid® drinkers started to have their eyes glaze over by the second sentence of Kerry's reply. "It's like, OMG, he talks SO much!"

[WinkyDink]

15. ITA. We're a bumper-sticker society. "Bush can't win a war."

"Where's the success?" (Take on "Where's the beef?" from Mondale.)

"How do you spell 'failure'? I-R-A-Q." (Or: B-U-S-H".)

"Bush invading Iraq is like the dog who caught the car: NOW WHAT?!"

[sandrakae]

33. Most Americans are smarter then bumper sticker slogans.

There is nothing wrong with being articulate and intelligent.

[provis99]

52. Uhh, no.

[bjobotts]

56. We are not any kind of "one style" society.Bumper stickers have a place

but there are just as many people that hate the one liners as those that like 'em.

Anyway, I hope sombody wipes that ignorant smug grin off of McCain's face. He thinks he knows what's best for everybody and has made this country more divisive rather than trying to bring us together.. 70% can't be so easily ignored or dumped on as McCain does at least once a day.

Kerry though is suggesting a continued involvement of US military...here's hoping he means as peace keepers and diplomatic support. Thanks to McCain and Lieberman and Graham etc. not only do the Iraqis not trust us but they don't even like us anymore...who could like that self-serving, self- indulgent group when you can plainly see they only care about themselves and what they will get out of all this.

[fedupinBushcountry]

66. Kerry wants

our troops off the streets of Iraq, period. The troops that stay will be finishing the training, security for those troops and those facilities and a garrison type setting to handle Al Qaeda if need be.

[H2O Man]

7. Wow!

I think that John Kerry is one of the best leaders that America has had in the Senate in the past 100 years. In the past 8 years, my respect for him has increased.

In those same 8 years, I've gone from respecting McCain, to viewing him as pitiful. I do not dislike him, but I've lost all respect for the man he is today.

[MelissaB]

8. I dislike him now and have lost respect for him.

He could have done much better through the last few years.

[Orsino]

60. His fall is sadder than the lives of his chickenhawk colleagues.

At some point in his life, McCain knew all about keeping faith with his brothers in arms. He's since abandoned that principle.

The usual Republican "leaders," with their mile-longs sense of entitlement, never amounted to anything. McCain was better than that once, but now he's a mere enabler for all that is wrong with the country.

[The Wizard]

67. McCain jumped the shark

when he chose to sniff Bush's armpit at the Republican convention in 04.

[glitch]

9. I've never liked McCain, but now I think he is ill. Almost to the point where he should be treated

with sympathy. Maybe even pat his hand a bit, and say "There, there".

[cyberpj]

17. I just keep wondering what they "got" on him to make him such a puppet now. Amazing. He even

sounds feeble and weak now.

[glitch]

22. With this lot my first assumption isn't even blackmail anymore, it's threats against family. nt

[Pachamama]

10. My favorite smackdown: "I bet Sen. McCain can't name 36 countries in the Coalition, I know I can't"

Bwaa haa haa haa :rofl:

I swear I want a picture of the look on McCain's face....

What an ass.....I can't believe I ever had respect for McCain as a "maverick" and even donated money to him in the past....

Now he's a kiss-ass to Bush and an enabler of the Warmonger's and Crooks...

[Sparkly]

11. Just finished watching that -- thanks for the link!

That was quite something -- McCain had NOTHING. Kerry was very clear, direct, and of course, he was right.

[Olney Blue]

12. Mr. Kerry made many of these points during his campaign.

It was echoed in the heart of the Iraq study group's conclusions.

McCain has sold his soul for the insane chimp's policies. Interestingly, I don't see any of the chimp's associates endorsing McCain.
And they never will. (And McCain doesn't seem to notice that the majority of U.S. citizens HATE THIS WAR.)

[Cha]

13. Thank you Senator John Kerry..

You're one of the Best and you would have been a Prez of the USA.

[applegrove]

14. Good job Kerry!

:woohoo:

[TSIAS]

16. McLame is toast

Funny to think that he was respected back in 2000.

Wonder if his "Hard Call" is to drop out before or after Iowa.

[JustAnotherGen]

18. Why couldn't

Kerry have won in 2004?:grr: This man is so intelligent and focused. I wonder if McCain realizes he's gone bat shit crazy in his old age? :dilemma:

[tbyg52]

23. He did.

http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/10432334/was_the_2004_election_stolen
http://www.votermarch.org/

Welcome to DU! :hi:

[Demoiselle]

50. Of course Kerry should have won in '04. But unfortunately,

..in this land of echo chamber reporting, where our "press" corps (hah) picks up a single, simple-minded narrative and repeats it ad nauseum,
you're only as "intelligent and focused" as the press says you are.
I didn't see this show myself today. Thank you for putting it here.
But let's watch for the next few days and see if anybody in the news picks up any of what Kerry says and puts it out there
for everybody who WASN'T watching Russert this morning.
And if you haven't already...
read the story of how they gored Gore that's in Vanity Fair this month. Remember how they made Dean out to
be a screaming loony because he was speaking into a directional mike in a crowded noisy hall.
They've spent an enormous amount of air on tut tutting Moveon.org's Petraeus/Betrayus ad, a sideshow.
John Edwards BOUGHT time on MSNBC to respond to Bush the other night. How many newscasters repeated his
message afterwards? They mentioned it on PBS, but they never got the money quote, which was Edwards' suggestion
that Congress tie every funding bill from here on in to a specific timetable for Iraq withdrawal. Let George veto it.
And send it back to him again. .. I know Edwards said it because I heard him say it. But I haven't seen him quoted
on it since.
I don't know how anybody gets around the press to the people today.

[BelgianMadCow]

19. "WE are the attraction for Al Quaeda in Iraq"

excellent point he made, eloquently!
Brilliant stuff.

[globalvillage]

20. beachmom has a great diary on kos

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2007/9/16/141127/166

[rockymountaindem]

24. Ka-pow

That's a smackdown. Once again... what a shame he's not the President.

[ProSense]

25. Kissinger! Here is a link

to the Kissinger op-ed McCain cited.

[jpgray]

26. Say what you want about Kerry, but his debate skills are top notch.

[vankuria]

29. You're right!

Kerry buried Bush in the 3 debates they had, remember? And I loved watching him smack down McCain who lost what little credibilty he had with that silly, stupid, "stroll" through a Bagdad marketplace with 40 Apache helicoptors overhead.

Sen. Kerry's a brilliant man and he should be our President. I still think of what could have been...

[Divine Discontent]

53. I don't forget how WELL he did in the debates

and how clueless shrub was... surely, that alone proved the fix was in. there wasn't an HONEST comparison of the two men after that "wanna buy some wood?" debate and how out there w behaved (nothing out of the ordinary, really).

all the polling showed Kerry in a landslide in state after state's exit polling. somehow............... bush won.

[karynnj]

69. Seeing McCain here, I realize that Kerry can make

someone much smarter, informed and articulate than Bush look almost as hopeless. The amazing thing is how carefully he listens and picks up mistakes he can exploit. It seems most debaters are spending at least half their brain thinking about what they will say in their turn. I can see why Yale never lost a debate the years he was there. He is by far the most consistently good debater we have. It would be great if he is involved in preparing whoever our candidate is.

[Divine Discontent]

82. WOWWWW

RECOMMENDED COMMENT & IDEA ---


To NOT have John freakin Kerry - the GREAT debater (as proven very clearly in 04 and in TV spots like this) be the person to debate our candidate would be a big loss!

great idea! :)

[SeanQ]

27. Bravo!

[Faygo Kid]

28. I wish I could recommend this post ad infinitum

We seem to be losing, as the American people are beaten down by the relentless neocons and their enablers on talk radio. It's great to see this, and yes, if he had been this bold in 2004, we would live in a different world today.

[beachmom]

30. Thanks, Prosense. I also wrote a diary about it here:

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2007/9/16/141127/166#c91

[globalvillage]

31. It's #1 right now.

Nice job, beachmom. It's an excellent diary.

[ProSense]

34. Great diary! Thanks. n/t

[babylonsister]

32. Thanks, ProSense. I will revisit Kerry's masterfulness! nt

[NMDemDist2]

35. replay on MSNBC at 10PM EDT n/t

[GETPLANING]

36. Republicans are coached to constantly interrupt

the people they are appearing with on these shows. McCain constantly interrupts Kerry in this exchange, and it's obvious he is just trying to make noise to drown out Kerry's comments. It is a pattern I have seen for the last several years. If they can't win on the merits of their positions, they talk over their counterpart to prevent them from getting their point out. It is the same strategy they are using at the polls. If they can't win an election on the merits of their platform, they prevent the opposition votes from being cast or counted. These people are very good, in a very bad way.

[speedoo]

37. That was good, but I would prefer he also say "he's lying, again."

I'm fed up with the crap rethugs continue to get away with.

[Doctor_J]

38. Dems need to come up with a catchy slogan for the debacle

"Spend more money and lives on another Bush disaster"

"Kill thousands more just so * can finally succeed at something"

you get the picture. Start calling *, out loud every day, a loser and a bum.

[berni_mccoy]

39. Thank you John Kerry! AWESOME JOB!

:kick:

[politicasista]

40. K&R

:kick:

[superkia]

41. But he said he would still fund the war. Mark another one up for Bush.

The democrats if they truly want this war to stop, they have to stop supplying the ammo to kill innocent people while pointing at the republicans.

[ProSense]

43. He did not say that

SEN. KERRY: I will vote to change the funding to a different mission. I will fund the troops to protect the national security interests of America, to accomplish a mission that, that increases our national security and protects the troops themselves.

Senator Kerry is one of the co-sponsors of the bill to cut funding that failed to pass the Senate:

To safely redeploy United States troops from Iraq. (Introduced in Senate)

S 1077 IS

110th CONGRESS

1st Session

S. 1077

To safely redeploy United States troops from Iraq.

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

April 10, 2007

Mr. FEINGOLD (for himself, Mr. REID, Mr. LEAHY, Mr. DODD, Mr. KERRY, Mrs. BOXER, Mr. WHITEHOUSE, Mr. KENNEDY, Mr. HARKIN, and Mr. SANDERS) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations

Rule

A BILL

To safely redeploy United States troops from Iraq.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

(a) Transition of Mission- The President shall promptly transition the mission of United States forces in Iraq to the limited purposes set forth in subsection (d).

(b) Commencement of Safe, Phased Redeployment From Iraq- The President shall commence the safe, phased redeployment of United States forces from Iraq that are not essential to the limited purposes set forth in subsection (d). Such redeployment shall begin not later than 120 days after the date of the enactment of this Act.

(c) Prohibition on Use of Funds- No funds appropriated or otherwise made available under any provision of law may be obligated or expended to continue the deployment in Iraq of members of the United States Armed Forces after March 31, 2008.

(d) Exception for Limited Purposes- The prohibition under subsection (c) shall not apply to the obligation or expenditure of funds for the limited purposes as follows:

(1) To conduct targeted operations, limited in duration and scope, against members of al Qaeda and other international terrorist organizations.

(2) To provide security for United States infrastructure and personnel.

(3) To train and equip Iraqi security services.

[wisteria]

44. Yes, that is what he really said. Thank you. I was looking to post this also.

Thanks.

[jillan]

42. Kerry definitely won that round. And kudos to Russert for having

them on at the same time. It definitely lead to an interesting conversation due to the immediate response.
More of these Sunday talks shows should do that. It really was fair and balanced.

[4nic8em]

45. How thoroughly

enjoyable to see John McVain have his ass handed to him...what an arrogant prick.

[wisteria]

47. I was thinking the same thing. LOL!

[Iwillnevergiveup]

46. What really gets my goat

is how the Rethugs keep emphasizing IRAN....they've apparently all been programmed to always, always mention it as cover in preparation for a deadly, imminent attack on that country. They completely ignore or at least discount the violence Iraqi Sunnis and Shia are perpetrating on EACH OTHER!

Crimeny!:mad:

John Kerry....:yourock:

[Unbowed]

48. An entertaining debate.

Although it did not appear as though McCain was having very much fun.

The look on McCain's face as Senator Kerry had the last word was priceless.

[iaviate1]

49. McCain is speaking slowly...

And what's up with his eyes and fiddling with the marker? Nice debate by Kerry.

[Swamp Rat]

51. Geaux Kerry!!!

[OnyxCollie]

55. What bothered me was Kerry mentioning the lack of leverage Bushco has in Iraq.

Bushco's got plenty of leverage here, thanks to Nancy "Impeachment's off the table" Pelosi. Makes me :puke:

[xchrom]

57. recommend!

[sandrakae]

58. I can't stand the way McCain act so Superior to John Kerry.

I could have slapped him when he was losing the argument so he throws in. You voted for it. Senator Kerry was awesome.

[Disturbed]

59. Are these two still friends?

Jus' wonderin'....

[karynnj]

62. It didn't look it from McCain's body language

He didn't even look at Kerry at the end - and ignored Kerry's smile at the beginning.

[_dynamicdems]

73. I think Kerry probably considers McCain a friend, but a delusional one who needs help.

The way he patted McCain's arm and told him that he was debating himself was the best! It was like he was talking to a delusional uncle even though McCain is only 8 years older than Kerry.

I truly wonder what McCain's health is these days. He seems to either be on strong meds or in need of them.

[moondust]

63. John Kerry ate that boy's lunch.

[Terri S]

64. Thanks for posting this

My cable went out just as MTP came on and was out for hours. Wish I'd seen it. Poor McCain..he really is painful to watch sometimes. Actually what is really painful is listening to Kerry and realizing again and again what we could have had the last 4 years as opposed to what we got.

[FreeStateDemocrat]

65. John Kerry should be the US Senate Majority Leader.

[Felinity]

68. I watched the whole interview

And conclude that John McCain should withdraw from public life.


Thanks for everything, golf concession is to the left, down the hall.

:patriot:

[karynnj]

70. In 2004, I read a comment before the debates from I think Eric Alter

He was explaining how Kerry always won in Massachusetts - his comment was that in a debate with Kerry, the opponent always come out looking like he was more qualified to manage a Quick Check.

[Inuca]

71. LOL! n/t

[_dynamicdems]

74. It wasn't a debate: it was a slaughter.

McCane seemed like he was attempting to present himself as calm and rational. It didn't succeed. And the smirking! Where have we seen such a smug attitude before?

Kerry was excellent and made quite a few points that the MSM has been ignoring, such as the fact that Dems do not have enough votes to do squat because of Bush's veto power. He's right: the only way to stop the war is to remove or convert the "Roadblock Republicans."

[Forrest Greene]

76. "Vertebrae Tardium"

A chronic condition where a spine develops three years too late.


(et fix a misspelling)

[politicasista]

77. kick n/t

[LittleClarkie]

78. I didn't see it. Does it seem at all like their friendship is still intact?

I can't imagine it surviving somehow.

[sandrakae]

85. No. John McCain was disrepectful to John Kerry.

He never even looked at him.

[LittleClarkie]

86. Jackass

Kerry's done nothing to deserve that.

And who does he hug instead. Bush. Bleh.

[ProSense]

83. Cartoon

(more click image)

[wisteria]

84. This is not only a funny cartoon, but a smart one too. n/t

[ProSense]

87. Kick! n/t

[ProSense]

88. Kick! n/t