IRAQ-- How Kerry Can Win The Election

[Mike L]

It's good that Kerry left the impression that he supported removing Saddam when he answered the "knowing what we know now" IWR vote question. If Kerry had indicated he would not have removed Saddam, he would be vulnerable to the Bush/Cheney most recent claim that Saddam was still a threat to the U.S. because he would re-develop WMD and get us later. The undecideds who will choose the next President don't have a clue about what's going on in the world. If they did, they wouldn't be undecided at this point. All they know is that Saddam is a bad man and it sounds good that Bush got rid of him. Why take risks with America's safety, right? (Hey, I know the Iraq War made us less safe, but we're talking about ignorant undecided voters here.) Kerry is especially lucky that he said he would not change his IWR vote considering the mindless, flag-waving, U-S-A chanting show the Repubs put on last night. A saw a poll that said the undecided zombies ate it up.

Kerry can win the election in the debates by doing two things: 1) Confirm that it's good for America that Saddam was removed (I disagree, but that's irrelevant) and point out Bush's dozen major failures in the occupation; and 2) set a timetable for holding Iraqis responsible for building their own Army and stabilizing Iraq, holding final elections, and withdrawing our troops.

Polls show that most Americans want us to remain in Iraq until it stabilizes, even if that means sustaining more US casualties (to prevent it from becoming an al-Qaeda haven or being overrun by Iran in the South and Turkey in the North). However, most Americans are sick and tired of the ungrateful Iraqis. Kerry should use statements like, "Freedom is not free. Iraqis must be held responsible for the stability of their own country. We are willing to help Iraq in building a free, stable country, but the ultimate responsibility rests with Iraqis." Americans want to win in Iraq and get out. Bush wants to drag it out, turn Iraq into a 100% Western style state, and establish permanent US military bases there. If Kerry sets a realistic timetable for holding Iraqis responsible for their own country, stabilizing Iraq and withdrawing our troops, he wins the election. Bush won't even consider establishing a timetable. Kerry can cut Bush's legs from under him with this issue.