3 reasons why Kerry having an Iran plan is a good thing.

[Melodybe]

1 With some press on Halliburton trading with Iran (which is totally illeagal BTW) we are seeing shades of Iran Conta part deux. Since Kerry single handedly outed Iran Contra, the biggest credibility gaffe in both Reagan and H W Bush's terms, getting to remind folks that repubs don't seem to mind funding terrorism is brilliant.

2 It points out ALL of the mistakes that the Bushco made with Iraq. Bringing in NATO, the UN, etc.

3 It completely steals the thunder from Bush, who is planning yet another war.

I do NOT believe that Kerry would go to war with Iran.

But by all means if Bush wants to start talking about Iran, I say go right ahead. Remind people of the not too distant past of Reagan, Poppy, and trading WMD for hostages. This news in combination with Fahrenheit 9/11 will give everyone a pretty good picture of how this government "deals" with terrorist.

I think that Kerry's announcement yesterday was brilliant, and I thought I'd share.

[noahmijo]

1. I agree and he's playing it exactly right to

None of this "shut up I don't wanna hear your talking points we're gonna bomb you no matter what" His approach is intuitive and thoughtful he's not looking to make careless decisions.

I really think a campaign slogan for Kerry outta be

"Wanna Piss Off A Terrorist? Vote Kerry!"

[catmandu57]

2. Kerry's october suprise

If these miscreants are intent on starting another war, it would be good to try to have it headed off, or barring that a plan to get out of the tarpit.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

3. Good idea. But, he should extend it to Israel, India, & Pakistan.

Ain't holding my breath, though.

[Old and In the Way]

4. Indeed it was.

Kerry's pre-emption changes the political dynamic for Bush. Kerry was the leader on this issue....Bush has to follow. If Kerry had reacted to another Bush Doctrine of Pre-Emption, it would have been played as a politically weaker response.

I'm wondering now if pulling the troops from Europe/NK was to position Bush for the next phase of his ME War? Only an insane person would want to start WW3...just how many fronts does the AWOL boy-king think we are capable of sustaining?

[Chilly Willy]

5. What about this nuclear fuel thing?

I've heard that part of Kerry's plan involves providing nuclear fuel to Iran...that can't be right, can it? Does anyone have any info about this?

If it were...talk about giving the Bushies talking points, and driving the Jewish vote rightwards! This must be some rumor-mill propaganda, I haven't found anything to substantiate it...

[TheRovingGourmet]

6. That would have to be rumor-mill propaganda.

[Chilly Willy]

7. OK, this is brilliant

When in doubt, Google ahoy...this from the Kerry Edwards website:

"Prevent Iran From Developing Nuclear Weapons. A nuclear armed Iran is an unacceptable risk to the national security of the United States and our allies in the region. While we have been preoccupied in Iraq, Iran has reportedly been moving ahead with its nuclear program. We can no longer sit on the sidelines and leave the negotiations to the Europeans. It is critical that we work with our allies to resolve these issues and lead a global effort to prevent Iran from obtaining the technology necessary to build nuclear weapons. Iran claims that its nuclear program is only to meet its domestic energy needs. John Kerry's proposal would call their bluff by organizing a group of states to offer Iran the nuclear fuel they need for peaceful purposes and take back the spent fuel so they cannot divert it to build a weapon. If Iran does not accept this offer, their true motivations will be clear. Under the current circumstances, John Kerry believes we should support the International Atomic Energy Agency's (IAEA) efforts to discern the full extent of Iran's nuclear program, while pushing Iran to agree to a verifiable and permanent suspension of its enrichment and reprocessing programs. If this process fails, we must lead the effort to ensure that the IAEA takes this issue to the Security Council for action."

OK...I suppose this is a good idea. If we know how much fuel they have, we'll know how much weapons-grade 'leftover' there will be to be accounted for. And with the threat of military action hanging over their heads from the security council, there's no way they'd kick out the international observers/inspectors, and keep the material. But it still seems like it's playing into Bush's hands...giving them a very convenient one-liner, no? "Not only is Kerry soft on terror, he actually wants to supply them with nuclear fuel" and blah, blah, blah...

[Qutzupalotl]

8. That's a great plan

which unfortunately doesn't distill into a sound bite. But it shows his capability of strategic thinking and would appeal to military strategists, diplomats and the like.

The best way to counter the backlash from Bush you mentioned is to get the whole message out there first. Have a spokesperson on Fox armed with the complete proposal and tell him or her to keep talking until the whole thing is explained. 30 seconds is enough to lay it out. The effect on the interviewer will be, "Huh! That IS a good idea." There's no good rebuttal if the facts are explained.

[TheRovingGourmet]

9. I understand the thinking behind this plan but I do not agree with

it in any way, manner, shape, or form. We have a hard enough time keeping track of nuclear material in this country without trying our hand at tracking it in Iran.

[A_Possum]

10. The point is...

If we don't do it this way, Iran will be doing it themselves w/o ANY oversight whatsoever, and it WILL take a war to stop them.

Bush thinks everything can be handled by bullying. Iran is not gonna be bullied on this--they've already made that clear.

So Kerry's got a carrot and a stick approach, which makes more sense and has some hope of working. Bush's approach has none.

So take your pick. Either have some "hand" in tracking nuclear material in Iran, or remain blind, deaf and dumb to whatever they are doing.

[TheRovingGourmet]

11. I think Iran is going to do just exactly what it wants to do and

will only deal superficially with the Great Satan so long as it is in their economic interest to do so.