Debunk Kerry Flip-Flops

[travisleit01]

I got this email from an online friend with Kerry flip-flops. I think it's a good idea if we came up with some points about each one to fire back at these people. I'll add some so I'm not just making everyone else do the work.

*wanted favorite trade status for china in 2000; now he's criticizing Bush for wanting to do exactly that

 *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)

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

 *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)

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

*in 2002 he favored ending  double taxation on dividends; in 2003 he opposed it

*in April 02 he wanted larger tax cuts; in Dec 02 he stated he would keep tax cuts from taking effect

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

 *said abortion should be decided by the states; now says it's the 'law of the united states'

 *was not satisfied with his federal health insurance yet wants each american to have the same exact plan

 *voted for nafta saying it was 'our future'; now he expressed doubt

 *voted against tax credits for small business to purchase health insurance; now he's promising tax credits to small business for health insurance

 *said 'democrats push health care too much'; now it's 'his passion'

 *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'

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

[travisleit01]

1. Debunked: No Child Left Behind

Kerry voted for it, and now calls it a mockery because it is an unfunded mandate. Bush has not alloted the $9 billion needed for the program to function properly, yet he continues to boast about it.

[travisleit01]

2. Debunked: War Vote

We've been over this before, but he voted to use force in Iraq as a last resort. The idea that he is anti-war today is wrong.

[liveoaktx]

3. More generally, here's what I put in the paper last week

because I think BUSH needs to be put on the offense

What’s a Flip Flop?

Have you ever changed your mind once you found out more facts about a subject? Would it be fair to call you a flip-flopper? What if you never changed your mind and rigidly held a viewpoint from cradle to grave-would that be a trait to be proud of?
Is it a flip flop to be against nation-building, as Bush was in 2000, and then invade and occupy other countries?
Is it a flip flop to be against the 911 commission, and then be for it?
Is it a flip flop to be for additional mercury in our drinking water and then be against it?
Is it a flip flop to be for funding the park service but then cut funds?
Is it a flip flop to be against the Iraq WMD investigation, and then be for it?
Is it a flip flop to be for free trade, then for tariffs on steel, then be against them?
Is it a flip flop to be for state’s rights to decide gay marriage, then be against it in favor of a national constitutional amendment?
Is it a flip flop to be for “No Child Left Behind” but then not fund it properly?
Is it a flip flop to say he’ll ask for more money for the war after the November election, but then change his mind and ask for the money now?
Is it a flip flop to say “Bin laden Dead or Alive” but then say “I don’t know where he is. I have no idea, and I really don't care. It's not that important. It's not our priority."
Is it a flip flop to say “We’re winning the war on terror” but then say “I don’t think you can win it”?
Bush apparently believes that if you repeat some phrase often enough, , some people will believe it without checking it out. If flip-flopping is a bad thing, then we’re all bad, because everyone has changed his/her mind at some point on some issue-as has Bush.

[travisleit01]

4. I agree

And an email similar to that about Bush prompted her email about Kerry's alleged Flip Flops. And since we have truth on our side, I feel I have to respond.

[sam sarrha]

5. The Reich Wing has been poisoning bills so that no SANE person would vote

vote for it...now they are using the no votes to for propaganda..

This has been a plan for years, I have been watching it and couldnt figure it out till now.. they were setting up the Democrats for a fall during the election.

[jpgray]

6. I'll knock down a few

*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.

[travisleit01]

7. Thanks JP

Another good site: http://bushcampaignlies.blogspot.com/2004/03/kerrys-flip-flops.html

Pretty much goes through and debunks all those flip flops.