Sen Kerry responds to Casey and Iraq withdrawal plans

John Kerry on Casey Plan for Iraq Redeployment, Maliki Timetable

"The Republican attack dogs have some explaining to do and our troops deserve answers. Last week Republicans on Capitol Hill blanketed the airwaves attacking proposals for deadlines and timetables in Iraq.

But as Republicans attacked with rhetoric rather than attack the Iraq quagmire itself, the new Iraqi government was considering timetables for most American combat troops to leave, and our top military commander in Iraq was outlining plans to do exactly that. The same general who told Congress last fall that the large American troop presence delays the Iraqis standing up for themselves has now put forward a plan for us to stand down, and Administration officials leaked it to the nation's newspapers.

These plans look an awful lot like what the Republicans spent the last week attacking. Will the partisan attack dogs now turn their venom and disinformation campaign on General Casey? What will the Republican Congress say to Prime Minister Maliki? Will they label them the 'cut and run' military and the 'cut and jog' Iraqi government? Enough is enough.

I'm proud that Democrats insisted on a real Iraq debate last week, and this weekend’s news reminds us again that we were right. It's time to redeploy. It's time for realistic timetables rather than open-ended commitments. In fact, deadlines help get the job done in Iraq while Republican slogans are only designed to get the job done in November here at home.

No more slogans, no more hollow partisan attacks, no more questioning the patriotism of those who speak out. We owe our troops a policy, not a partisan slogan."

Great strategy, Senator Kerry! :patriot:

on the Facts.

Regardless of how much the rethugs cheated and how many lies the swiftboaters blew out their ugly mouths.

THIS is the John Kerry I was looking for.

Hasn't he?

I will never, ever understand how he and the dems failed to learn from 2000. And I will never forgive Kerry and the other dems who were cowered into voting for the IWR.

Why did 39 Democrats (including many of those who voted against the IWR) vote against the Kerry-Feingold amendment?

The Repugs have some explaining to do!


Thank you Senator Kerry!

But, I ask, what is the difference??

Democratic senators, and Levin's plan was much better, but I still have to shake my head that ANY Democrat would have voted against Levin's plan, since it was so watered down

Reid wanted them to have one plan.

I too will never understand the dems that voted against both,
that shows more division in the party than those that voted for one or the other of the plans for withdrawal.

instead of thinking clearly!

Because the people of American prefer the Kerry plan because it's not Republcan-lite. They don't like Republican policies right now, so Reid was an idiot to try to create unity around a plan that was little better than the Republican non-plan.

Displeased?

I suggest making those calls to those Reps every day.

in supporting their 'republican-lite' non-binding bill. Good for kerry and Feingold and Boxer and all of the 13 who stood up for right!

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060625/ap_on_el_ge/senate_iraq_politics

It didn't have any legs! It was non-binding. Are we, as Dem's, going to SETTLE for "watered down"??? As far as the Dem's who voted against Levin's bill, in my eyes they are cowards in an election year. Too afraid to "rock the boat" !! What do you think?? DC

I was just surprised that some Democrats could NOT even support that

Of course with the repukes I had no doubt how they would vote

Proud to give this one #5.

We did win the debate last week, and we are out in front on this. Even with two Dem plans, and 13 votes for Kerry/Feingold, it was Democrats who proposed a plan and started a discussion. Dems should be credited for making redeployment the top story today. We looked strong and united in the overall goal, despite all republican attempts to spin this as Dem division.
Even Warner, who toed the repub party line with his vote, was engaged in the debate last week. He was wrong, but he participated.
It's progress, and that's good.

I think should be noted that 7 of the 13 who voted for Kerry/Feingold are veterans. That says a lot about the perspective of people who have 'been there'.

Letter written to Senators Boxer, Durbin, Feingold who were to appear on the Sunday talk programs:

I see you are appearing on a Sunday talk show and here is a golden opportunity to turn the tables on the republicans. Hope you will at least think if this would be of a help to you and other Democrats.

Senator Durbin, you have the opportunity with your comments to send out a talking point to all Democrats that EVERY time the media talking heads or Republican says "Stay the course" ...interupt and ask them what that means? Make them explain how and why we're doing the right thing. This would open up an opportunity to deflect the argument from us defending "Cut and run" to them having to defend all the killings and failures of the course we are on. Ask who the hell would want to "stay the course" we've been on? This would give us a chance to point out all their blunders.

In other words...be on the offense and NOT on the defensive! We are fools to let Rove et al get away with that tactic!

Point out "the course" has been blunder after blunder and ask them if that is what they want to continue. STOP letting them get away with their disgusting and misleading slogans and MAKE them explain what exactly they mean. Attack! Attack! Attack! They can't say anything positive about what they've done or what they're doing.

"Stay the course" = commit blunder after blunder...kill and be killed...lie and deceive...BANKRUPT AMERICA...line their own pockets...lose more allies...create more terrorists. etc. etc. etc.

MAKE "STAY THE COURSE" A DIRTY WORD...JUST LIKE THEY DID WITH THE TERM "LIBERAL" WE CAN DO IT! wE CAN MAKE THEM TOO SCARED TO EVER UTTER THAT PHRASE AGAIN! TO SAY IT SHOULD GIVE THE DEMS A CHANCE TO OPEN UP A PANDORA'S BOX OF CRITICISM!

I, do thank you

Addendum: Some of this I need to attribute to one of our fellow DU members. I did not get the name but I do attribute most of this to him/her....

Great letter! Wish we could put it in "Petition" form!!!

Especially as the military and the Iraqis are changing.

get ready for a look-there-not-here assault this week, rather than an apology or even an admission that the Casey Plan for Iraq Redeployment/Maliki Timetable is essentially identical to the Democratic plans floated last week.


TC

n/t

This was John Murtha's suggestion when he spoke at a town meeting with Rep. Morton in Virginia last month.

His general complaint was that the Republicans rely too much on catchy slogans to win (?) their argument. He suggested that we have MORE substantive solutions, MORE substantive debate, instead of rhetorical spin.

I think this is a suggestion (and cause) that Democrats should embrace in their political campaigns. :applause:

Both Gore and Kerry gave solid intellectual logical solutions in there campaigns. Bush had repeated slogans. Everyone said we need repeated slogans - both Kerry and Murtha are saying what the Democrats have always done - and it IS the right thing. (Kerry has always been for substantive debate - too bad there weren't 5 or 6 debates in 2004 - Bush would have lost them all.)

" How do you ask a man to be the last man to die for a mistake."

at Faneuil Hall in Boston.

"I have come here today to reaffirm that it was right to dissent in 1971 from a war that was wrong. And to affirm that it is both a right and an obligation for Americans today to disagree with a President who is wrong, a policy that is wrong, and a war in Iraq that weakens the nation."

At American University, he echoed another famous line - even more appropriate for him to ask himself.

"When I testified thirty five years ago, I asked the question: ‘where are the leaders of our country?’

It’s time we ask that question again – and time we say clearly it’s not just in Iraq but on every issue where Washington has either failed to lead – or misled America in the wrong direction.

Rarely has there been a moment more urgent for all Americans to step up and define our country again."

With this amendment and other work he has done on Iraq, his stands on health care, veterans benefits, and the environment, he is trying to do what he begged the leaders to do in 1971 - as are Senators like Feingold and the others who stood with him.

has been repeated recently:
Where is the leadership of this country? Where is the leadership?

That is also a crucial question. Who is watching out for our troops? Who made sure they had the best protection they could get, including body armor and armor for their vehicles? Who is standing up for their benefits when they come back from serving their nation? Sigh! Where is the leadership in this Administration, cuz it sure looks to me like abandonment.

That is the problem- we still need talking points & salesmanship in today's media environment...

I think we DO need slogans, but my idea is to keep them honest & truthful.

The difference is whether the speaker is SINCERE and has the ability to back up his "slogans."

That's all I heard on the news outlets for the last week or so; cut and run, unpatriotic liberals; and all the while they were getting ready to "STEAL" and "RUN" with the proposed timetable by the democrats.
Republicans are surreal! Really a laughable lot!

Thanks to my Mother for teaching me all the goodness of being a democrat.

Here's to all of you Democrats who have fought so hard to get our troops out of Iraq. :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :patriot: :patriot:

Go Kerry!! :kick:

and I LIKE it!

Sen. Daniel Akaka (D-HI)
Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-CA), co-sponsor
Sen. Richard Durbin (D-IL)
Sen. Tom Harkin (D-IA)
Sen. Daniel Inouye (D-HI)
Sen. James Jeffords (I-VT)
Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-MA)
Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ)
Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-VT), co-sponsor
Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ)
Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR)

No more triangulation. No more excuses for mealy mouthed Liebermans.

It's time to end the lies, profiteering and bloodletting. On our terms.

an intelligent and workable amendment along with Feingold, and Kerry took all the beatings from his own party, the Republicans and the media. He deserves all of our support as well as our gratitude. He was truly abused last week. He should feel a bit vindicated over this and his statement is wonderful. I think we should all contact Reid and tell him he owes Senator Kerry an apology. Some of the abuse was Reid's doing.

Our own party sold us out. I expect it from pukes, not from our own.