Could John Kerry's Stance On the Gulf War & Death Penalty Hurt Him?

[Placebo]

Poll question: Could John Kerry's Stance On the Gulf War & Death Penalty Hurt Him?

Do you think that John Kerry's stance on the Gulf War (which he voted against) and the Death Penalty (which he is opposed to) could hurt him in the debates or throughout the rest of the campaign?

I can't seem to find an answer as to why Kerry voted against authorization for the 1st war in Iraq, and am surprised the repubs aren't raising the death penalty issue more.

[Gman]

1. Why are you trying to create negatives for Kerry with this poll??

Don't you think there are better things to ask about than creating negatives for Kerry, especially here at DU? Do you expect the next issue thrown at kerry to be the death penalty? Do you realize you polling on two wedge issues? Why?

[Placebo]

2. I am NOT trying to create negatives for Kerry...

I am just curious.

Calm down there cowboy.

[Gman]

18. Sorry but,

your poll is in essence asking "Is being pro-Iraq war the correct position to get elected" and "Is being pro-death penalty the correct position to get elected?"

You have them phrased as wedge issues. Why not throw in "Do you think Kerry's position on guns could hurt him in the debates or throughout the rest of the campaign??" Why not throw in "Do you think Kerry's position on abortion could hurt him in the debates or throughout the rest of the campaign??"

These are ALL wedge issues presented here at DU. I'm giving you the benefit of the doubt that you don't realize that.

[JPJones]

3. How old are you?

Although Gulf War I was a cakewalk, it was really unpopular before hand. There was an Army computer model that came out in October(?) 1990 that put the US casualties at 10,000. The models were later updated when the battleplan changed, but I don't know if the Dems got the numbers.

Kerry, along with 33 other Senators, sponsored an alternative resolution. http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d102:SJ00001:

The Republican version passed. But 47 Senators voted against it.

[Placebo]

4. Be that as it may...

in retrospect it's seen as a 'successful' war that made up for Vietnam in a sense, showing that we could project our military might on a global scale and not get sucked into a quagmire.

the current war in Iraq has destoyed that.

[JPJones]

5. This is what Kerry sponsored, how is this unreasonable?

Regarding United States policy to reverse Iraq's occupation of Kuwait

Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That (a) the Congress is firmly committed to reversing Iraq's brutal and illegal occupation of Kuwait.

(b) The Congress authorizes the use of American military force to enforce the United Nations economic embargo against Iraq; to defend Saudi Arabia from direct Iraqi attack; and to protect American forces in the region.

(c) The Congress believes that continued application of international sanctions and diplomatic efforts to pressure Iraq to leave Kuwait is the wisest course at this time and should be sustained, but does not rule out declaring war or authorizing the use of force at a later time should that be necessary to achieve the goal of forcing Iraqi troops from Kuwait.

(d) The Congress pledges its full and continued support for sustaining the policy of increasing economic and diplomatic pressure against Iraq; for maintaining our military options; and for efforts to increase the military and financial contributions made by allied nations.

(e) The Constitution of the United States vests all power to declare war in the Congress of the United States. Congress will expeditiously consider any future Presidential request for a declaration of war or for authority to use military force against Iraq, in accordance with the following procedures:

[JPJones]

9. I'm sorry, but are you still in high school?

Your perception sounds like something written in a high school textbook. I just can't believe that you have any memory of the event.

[Placebo]

10. The Voters Don't Think as LOGICALLY As you do...

I was just wondering how easily could the repukes possibly turn this against him? The public probably wouldn't know what the hell the difference was between what Kerry voted for and what passed.

[TheDonkey]

21. Kerry doesn't have to worry about the GW1 vote, but he does for GW2

The first vote was not unpopular. He wanted more safegaurds but once we were in he supported the invasion. I'm sure it'll come up again (it's already come up) but it's not going to be a major issue.

[incapsulated]

11. I'm outing him here, I think

The Nation is still a teenager, I believe? As such, his participation here should be encouraged.

[JPJones]

12. He's a teenager, but is he wearing a loincloth? n/t

[Placebo]

13. What the hell is that supposed to mean?

???

[JPJones]

14. Reference to the SBV. It's a joke. n/t

[incapsulated]

16. Ok...

Don't understand the relevance, but if it's a joke...

[incapsulated]

15. Got me...

But it proves that age is no determinate of intelligence. :hi:

[Bluebear]

22. delete

delete

[Nevernose]

6. I, too, am surprsied the Repukes aren't chanting "death penalty"

I, too, am surprsied the Repukes aren't chanting "death penalty, death penalty" like some kind of Zen Buddhist mantra.

My guess? They're saving it for October.

Although I also suspect that a rational discussion of the death penalty will backfire on them -- once poor people realize, and what most black people already realize -- how the system can take their very lives, most support for the medieval brutality will dissapear.

"Life without possibility of parole" sounds too good to too many people, I suspect -- until they know the facts of the situation.

[Placebo]

7. I agree

[TheDonkey]

20. Death Penalty is mostly a state issue, not national

and Kerry supports DP for Terrorists.

Also, DP, is not a burning issue on most people's minds. He answered the attackduring a Cali debate during the primary very well and strongly as opposed to Dukakis' awkward defense.

[Bluebear]

8. Sounds like a poll CNN would come up with

No offense, but this seems like an awfully anti-Kerry 'poll'.

[Crunchy Frog]

17. I voted "yes".

The fact is that any position taken by anyone running for office can potentially hurt him with some voters.

I would have answered the same way if he had the opposite positions. Taking any position at all will hurt you with some voters and help you with others.

For me, his position on the death penalty helps, while his position on the Gulf War seems inconsistent.

[TheDonkey]

19. No, he has a good point for both

In his Cali debate he came on strong against the death penalty but not like Dukakis. He'll nuetralize the issue which really isn't on people's minds anyway.

As of the first Gulf War he also has a good response for that. The only thing that could hurt his is his vote on the 2nd Gulf War but he's getting better at defending it.

[GreenArrow]

23. War yes, Death penalty no

.