Listen up. This will change everything. No, I'm not kidding.

[hansolsen]

Kerry must look forward on Iraq and stop worrying about anything he has said about it before. This election will turn on who the voters think can handle Iraq best going forward. Most people know the war is a mess and would be happy to see it end even if it meant some compromise on our goals in Iraq, which are so vague anyway.

Here is change #1 kerry should announce for Iraq:

On Jan 20, 2005 I will withdraw U.S. military forces to fortified forward bases in Iraq, and let the Iraqi people figure out their own affairs. There will be no more American patrols in the streets of Baghdad and other Iraqi cities where American soldiers cannot fire unless fired upon first.I] As a combat veteran, I will never issue such rules of engagement for U.S. soldiers.

We will stay only as long as required to see an Iraqi government formed. We will not directly influence the form or personnel of that government. That is up to the Iraqi people. American soldiers will only come off those bases to prevent genocide and stop outbreaks of genocidal civil war. If American soldiers are sent into combat again in Iraq, they will come out guns blazing or not at all.

This would be both good policy and good politics. It is compatable with what he has said about not wanting permanent military bases in Iraq, and that this is the wrong war, at the wrong place, at the wrong time. So end it, and get the hell out of there. Leave in an orderly fashion. Do it within a year.

Making this statement would command the headlines for a week and change the basic dynamic of the election.

Why do I have to think of these things??

[friesianrider]

1. Email that to Kerry's campaign...

They just might listen - I send them suggestions all the time (now they know who that crazy chick is emailing them strategy suggestions every weel) ;)

[rndmprsn]

2. email it to kerry

[autorank]

3. Agree -- I like the 'guns blazing' part!