Reply #6: I'll knock down a few

[jpgray]

*He voted for force in Iraq; today he's anti-war (why? because many polls show people felt we shouldn't have went to war)

-He supported having force as an option to disarm Saddam if it became necessary. This force was meant to back up inspections and help force Saddam to cooperate, but Bush refused to give the inspectors the time or support they needed because he was afraid they would find nothing. From the day of that vote to now, Kerry advocated exhausting all diplomatic means and bringing in the international community, using force only as a last resort. His statements and actions have been wholly consistent on this point.

(note no one in his/her right mind would have given BUSH that authority thinking that a peaceful solution was his goal, but that's another story)

*voted in favor of the patriot act; now he's against it

-He is against such portions that are unconstitutional, as well as Ashcroft's misuse of the bill.

*in 2002, he wanted his state to reject any amendment banning gay marriage; today he says he wouldn't rule out supporting an amendment (why? because polls show most people are against gay marriage)

-Two different amendments. One is a federal amendment that bans gay marriage in all the union. Kerry was deciding on a MA amendment that allows civil unions but bans gay marriage only for the state. His position has always been to support civil unions but let the states decide--he refuses to write bigotry into the Constitution.

*voted for the 'no child left behind' act; now he calls it a mockey

-That's because Bush refuses to fund his own act--what else would you call that?

*supported a gas tax increase in 94; in 96 he was against it

-I believe they have a single quote that says we should consider a tax, and that's from 1984.

*said military service shouldn't be a 'litmus test for leadership'; yet during the caucuses, and in the beginning of his campaign pointed out how many of his democratic and presidential opponents 'have not worn the uniform of our country'

-Drawing contrasts between personal histories does not a litmus take make.

*spoke out against using special interest's pac money; now he has his own.

-In a presidential race, one is virtually forced to use PAC money to be competitive. Yet he was the only Senator elected four times without using PAC money, therefore he was perfectly correct to speak out against it.