Regarding Kerry's latest comments on Iraq

[George_Bonanza]

The reporters say that Kerry would've still approved the resolution even if he knew no WMDs were in Iraq, yet Kerry's direct quotes say nothing of the sort. All Kerry says is that about the president having the right to have the threat of force in his utility belt. Can anybody prove that Kerry would've voted YES even if he knew no WMDs were in Iraq?

[Fleshdancer]

1. I would like some clarification on this too

The idea that Kerry would still have approved of all this knowing what we know now seems absurd to me. Why would anyone approve of this knowing there are no WMD? I know why Bush has to say that, but Kerry? Doesn't sound right.

[AntiCoup2K4]

2. That statement is the WORST thing Kerry could have said, actually.

There's a reason the Constitution does not grant one man the priviledge of starting a war by choice. Voting to give an idiot like Junior that power was bad enough. For Kerry to say it was the right thing to do is even worse.

NO PRESIDENT - I don't care if it's Bush, Kerry, Clinton or even Jimmy Carter - No one man (or woman) should EVER be able to declare a war.

[WilliamPitt]

6. Good thing he didn't fucking say it

[AntiCoup2K4]

8. Yes he did fucking say it

Taking up a challenge from President Bush, whom he will face in the Nov. 2 election, the Massachusetts senator said: "I'll answer it directly. Yes, I would have voted for the authority. I believe it is the right authority for a president to have but I would have used that authority effectively."

Why is it the "right authority" for a President to have? Why should ANY President be enabled to declare war at will, for whatever reason, or as with Iraq, no goddamned valid reason at all?

Is it possible that Kerry might have used better judgment as to whether or not to invade Iraq? Possibly, but that isn't the point. The constititution placed that power in the hands of Congress so it would be a majority vote and not the whims of one person.

And that's exactly how it should have remained.

[George_Bonanza]

11. That's not my question

My question is whether Kerry said that he would've voted YES on the IWR even if he knew there were no WMDs for sure.

[AntiCoup2K4]

13. The quote from Kerry above was his answer to that question

Apparently, he believes that even with no weapons found, and the BCE's entire case for the war being proven wrong, it was still the "right thing" to give Bush that authority.

And that's the problem I have with Kerry's statement, apart from his vote itself. The fact that he wants to throw away the constitutional provision for a majority vote of congress to authorize war, and place that power entirely in the executive branch.

If you have an alternative interpration of the quote, please do explain.

[George_Bonanza]

14. Are you sure that that was the question?

Can you provide a transcript? Because I can't rely on it if that was the "general feeling" to the general question proposed by Bush, asking Kerry whether or not he would've voted for the Iraq resolution.

This is also incongruent with Kerry's former statements when he said that he would've voted for the IWR, BASED ON EVIDENCE HE HAD THEN. He always emphasized that latter part, giving the strong notion that he would've voted NO had he had better information.

[murielm99]

3. Kerry and Edwards gave an interview a few weeks ago...

The both said they would have voted against IRW if they had known then what they know now.

They said this in no uncertain terms. Are these reporters taking a direct quote, or are they inferring?

If they are, call them on it.

[George_Bonanza]

9. I doubt they said that in such blunt terms

Or else, the Iraq question would be totally settled by now.

[Kimber Scott]

12. Here's a link.

http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/0809kerry09-ON.html

[still_one]

4. Its double-talk and it is not very wise

[papau]

5. Leno quoted Kerry "Yes, You bet, I might have" - is that an actual quote?

:-)

??

[ThePhilosopher04]

7. Here is what he said (not exact quote but close)...

Kerry said he still would have voted yes on the resolution because he feels that a President should have the authority to act, however, he disagrees with the way Bush handled the situation by not letting the weapons inspectors finish the job. I see nothing unreasonable or inconsistent about what he said. Perfectly logical and reasonable answer to me.

The question really isn't logical, nor fair, considering the vote took place before we knew whether Sadaam had weapons or not. Kerry was in favor of allowing weapons inspectors to continue and said so at the time. To ask whether he still would have voted for the resolution doesn't really address the issue.

[George_Bonanza]

10. If no WMDs, what is the rationale? This makes no sense

Kerry has repeatedly said he would not take the nation to war under false pretenses or faulty intelligence. To say he would've still given the president the authority to use force even if there were no weapons... Then what's the point? The whole point of the IWR was to reinforce the weapons inspectors' leverage. Without WMDs, it makes it irrelevant. The press has really dropped the ball on this one.