KERRY SHOULD GO TO IRAQ!

[sandersadu]

Kerry should do something bold, and go to Iraq. I know it looks "too political" but think about the potential benefits:

(1) It shows Kerry has balls by going to dangerous place, supporting our troops, while Bush only went during the cover of darkness to deliver a fake Thanksgiving Turkey. Bush is a pussy and Kerry going to Iraq shows that.

(2) Changes the subject to Iraq. We desperately need to show Bush's failure in Iraq. This is one hell of a way to do it.

(3) Shows support for troops. Deflates Swiftboats and all other attacks on Kerry's Nat'l Security credentials, b/c he would be the only candidate to "literally stand with troops" while Bush and Cheney are faking it.

(4) Would get lots of news coverage for weeks, shift focus on Kerry and put Bush on the defensive, i.e. "Mr. Bush as Commander in Chief, why won't you follow Sen. Kerry's lead and go visit our troops in Iraq.

There are other benefits, but you get the point. To seize the mantle, Kerry's got to be bold, and not timid, and williing to risk a little controversy (i.e. it's political). I've got other big ideas, but I'm taking comments on this one first . . .

SmartDem2004

[IndianaGreen]

1. I said that Kucinich should have gone to Iraq

and I was accused of threatening his life.

I also said repeatedly that Kerry should do an Eisenhower "I will go to Korea" and promise to go to Iraq if elected, then pull all the troops out.

[rndmprsn]

2. ive been saying this for awhile

great post


this will have its risks and benefits, but i agree boldness is needed!

[kentuck]

3. I think that is an excellent idea...!

I hope the campaign is reading DU....but just in case they aren't, perhaps you should send it to the campaign. :)

[sandersadu]

4. Kerry in Iraq

I think I will send it to campaign. What have they been doing for 6 months since he wrapped up the nomination?

I would have hoped by now that they would have had a bunch of people sitting in a room, literally brainstorming on a whiteboard, and coming up with similar ideas as here on DU. At least that way, when you hash it out, you can get rid of truly crazy ideas, but at the same time sharpen strategy for smart, bold ideas, like going to Iraq.

SmartDem2004

[IndianaGreen]

8. It is too late to do this. Kerry is not Ike!

Kerry should have said this when he gave his acceptance speech at the Convention. To do this now would portray him as an opportunist. In politics timing is everything, and Kerry has run out of options when it comes to Iraq.

Dwight D. Eisenhower's ''I Shall Go to Korea'' Speech, 1952

October 25, 1952

In this anxious autumn for America, one fact looms above all others in our people's mind. One tragedy challenges all men dedicated to the work of peace. One word shouts denial to those who foolishly pretend that ours is not a nation at war.

This fact, this tragedy, this word is: Korea.

<snip>

Where will a new Administration begin?

It will begin with its President taking a simple, firm resolution. The resolution will be: To forego the diversions of politics and to concentrate on the job of ending the Korean war-until that job is honorably done.

That job requires a personal trip to Korea.

I shall make that trip. Only in that way could I learn how best to serve the American people in the cause of peace.

I shall go to Korea.

http://tucnak.fsv.cuni.cz/~calda/Documents/1950s/Ike_Korea_52.html

[troublemaker]

5. Terrible idea. I don't want this election decided by a few soldiers

disrespecting Kerry in Iraq. And some definitely would.

[Toots]

6. Would certainly capture some Media attention

Might be a very good idea at that. Kerry should show support for our troops and let them know "Help is on the way". :thumbsup:

[against all enemies]

7. Looks like an election stunt. Bad idea.

They already made his tour of duty with 3 purple hearts, one bronze and one silver star appear to be a fake, they will tear him a new asshole with a stunt like this. Maybe he should have said knowing what he knows now he would have NOT voted for Bush's authority to go to war. he could have shown balls then without the trip to Iraq.

[IndianaGreen]

9. Had Kerry made an Ike-style " I shall go to Korea!" at the DNC

he would have been credible. Kerry was leading in the polls so he could afford to make a dramatic gesture as Eisenhower did in 1952. It is too late now, particularly in view of his statement about voting for IWR even if he had known then what he knows now.

If Kerry were to say it now, he would look like a desperate stunt by a new campaign team, and Kerry would appear to be desperate!

Timing in politics is everything, and Kerry himself has closed the door to many of the options he had available on Iraq earlier this year.

[59millionmorons]

10. Better yet

Go to a soldiers funeral.

[ronnykmarshall]

11. Still a politcal stunt.

But it is more than Bushie ever did.

[sandersadu]

12. Iraq

I just think Kerry needs to show by action, not words, that Bush is a punk, liar and a fake.

Going to a soldier funeral may be too transparent, but at this point, what have we got to lose?

[genius]

13. Excellent idea. Can someone send this to his campaign

Also, he need to have people check his plane for bombs and such as Bush may try to assassinate him like happened with Wellstone.

[sandersadu]

14. Assassination

Don't forget about the assassinations of Ron Brown and Mel Carnahan either. Can't be a coincidence that only Dems die in mysterious plane crashes.

Kerry should go to Iraq. Would really shake things up and be the right thing to do. I'm sure our soldiers over there feel forgotten and abandoned b/c their Commander in Chief is too pu$$y to come and L. Paul Bremer left in the middle of the night never to return.

[oasis]

15. IBSS. It's the battleground states "sir".

[Kahuna]

16. No he should not. It reeks of a desperation stunt.

nt

[A_Possum]

17. I dunno about before the election

But on November 3, he should get himself over there and tell our soldiers and the Iraqi people that HELP IS ON THE WAY.

Heck, I'll go with him. We need to ENGAGE there with the situation instead of sitting around with our thumbs up our noses and saying, "Everything's just hunky-dory, peachy-keen."