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Old 10-14-2004, 01:13 PM
DanoDeMano DanoDeMano is offline
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Default Kerry's Flip Flops

Now I know it's healthy to change your mind a little and that some politicians do so, but I think we can all agree that Kerry does this too much to the point where you really don't know what he thinks and if he is sincere in his beliefs. This many flip flops just leaves a gaping hole of trust...

FLIP FLOP #1: "Most Important Task" Is To Win "War On Terrorism."
"Only a few blocks from here, three years ago, the events of September 11 reminded every American of that obligation. That day brought to our shores the defining struggle of our times: the struggle between freedom and radical fundamentalism. And it made clear that our most important task is to fight ... and to win ... the war on terrorism." (Sen. John Kerry, Remarks At New York University, New York, NY, 9/20/04)

Kerry Balked At Calling War On Terror An Actual War.
"The final victory in the war on terror depends on a victory in the war of ideas, much more than the war on the battlefield. And the war - not the war, I don't want to use that terminology. The engagement of economies, the economic transformation, the transformation to modernity of a whole bunch of countries that have been avoiding the future. And that future's coming at us like it or not, in the context of terror, and in the context of failed states, and dysfunctional economies, and all that goes with that." ("In His Words: John Kerry," The New York Times Website,[link]" target=_blank> [link], 3/6/04)


FLIP FLOP #2: Iraq Was "Diversion From" War On Terror.
"That means we must have a great honest national debate on Iraq. The President claims it is the centerpiece of his war on terror. In fact, Iraq was a profound diversion from that war and the battle against our greatest enemy, Osama bin Laden and the terrorists. Invading Iraq has created a crisis of historic proportions and, if we do not change course, there is the prospect of a war with no end in sight." (Sen. John Kerry, Remarks At New York University, New York, NY, 9/20/04)

Kerry Said Iraq "Is Critical" To Success Of War On Terror.
SEN. JOHN KERRY: "Iraq may not be the war on terror itself, but it is critical to the outcome of the war on terror. And therefore any advance in Iraq is an advance forward in that. And I disagree with the Governor [Howard Dean]." (Fox News' "Special Report," 12/15/03)


FLIP FLOP #3: Evil Of Saddam Was Not Enough To Justify War.
"Saddam Hussein was a brutal dictator who deserves his own special place in hell. But that was not, in itself, a reason to go to war." (Sen. John Kerry, Remarks At New York University, New York, NY, 9/20/04)

Kerry Originally Agreed With Removing Saddam Hussein.
"I agree completely with this Administration's goal of a regime change in Iraq - Saddam Hussein is a renegade and outlaw who turned his back on the tough conditions of his surrender put in place by the United Nations in 1991." (Senator John Kerry, Speech To The 2002 DLC National Conversation, New York, NY, 7/29/02)

Kerry Cited Saddam's "Breach Of International Values" As Cause For War.
SEN. JOHN KERRY: "I believe the record of Saddam Hussein's ruthless, reckless breach of international values and standards of behavior is cause enough for the world community to hold him accountable by use of force if necessary." (MSNBC's "Hardball," 10/10/02)


FLIP FLOP #4: Saddam's "Downfall ... Has Left America Less Secure."
"The satisfaction we take in his downfall does not hide this fact: we have traded a dictator for a chaos that has left America less secure." (Sen. John Kerry, Remarks At New York University, New York, NY, 9/20/04)

Kerry Questioned Judgment Of Those Claiming Saddam's Capture Doesn't Help American Security. "Those who doubted whether Iraq or the world would be better off without Saddam Hussein, and those who believe we are not safer with his capture, don't have the judgment to be president or the credibility to be elected president." (Anne Q. Hoy, "Dean Faces More Criticism," [New York] Newsday, 12/17/03)


FLIP FLOP #5: Decision To Go Into Iraq "Colossal" Failure.
"The President now admits to 'miscalculations' in Iraq. That is one of the greatest understatements in recent American history. His were not the equivalent of accounting errors. They were colossal failures of judgment - and judgment is what we look for in a president. This is all the more stunning because we're not talking about 20/20 hindsight. Before the war, before he chose to go to war, bi-partisan Congressional hearings ... major outside studies ... and even some in the administration itself ... predicted virtually every problem we now face in Iraq." (Sen. John Kerry, Remarks At New York University, New York, NY, 9/20/04)

In Response To President's Question About How He Would Have Voted If He Knew Then What He Knows Now, Kerry Confirmed That He Would Still Have Voted For Use Of Force Resolution.
SEN. JOHN KERRY: "Yes, I would have voted for the authority. I believe it's the right authority for a president to have. But I would have used that authority as I have said throughout this campaign, effectively. I would have done this very differently from the way President Bush has." (CNN's "Inside Politics," 8/9/04)


FLIP FLOP #6: Iraq Was Not "Threat To Our Security."
"We now know that Iraq had no weapons of mass destruction and posed no imminent threat to our security." (Sen. John Kerry, Remarks At New York University, New York, NY, 9/20/04)

Kerry Said, "If You Don't Believe ... Saddam Hussein Is A Threat With Nuclear Weapons, Then You Shouldn't Vote For Me."
(Ronald Brownstein, "On Iraq, Kerry Appears Either Torn Or Shrewd," Los Angeles Times, 1/31/03)

In Response To President's Question About How He Would Have Voted If He Knew Then What He Knows Now, Kerry Confirmed That He Would Still Have Voted For Use Of Force Resolution.
SEN. JOHN KERRY: "Yes, I would have voted for the authority. I believe it's the right authority for a president to have. But I would have used that authority as I have said throughout this campaign, effectively. I would have done this very differently from the way President Bush has." (CNN's "Inside Politics," 8/9/04)


FLIP FLOP #7: Iraq War Took "Attention And Resources" Away From Afghanistan.
"The President's policy in Iraq took our attention and resources away from other, more serious threats to America. Threats like ... the increasing instability in Afghanistan." (Sen. John Kerry, Remarks At New York University, New York, NY, 9/20/04)

Kerry Said War On Terror "Doesn't End With Afghanistan" And Suggested U.S. Move On To Addressing Menace Of Saddam Huseein.
KERRY: "I think we clearly have to keep the pressure on terrorism globally. This doesn't end with Afghanistan by any imagination. And I think the president has made that clear. I think we have made that clear. Terrorism is a global menace. It's a scourge. And it is absolutely vital that we continue, for instance, Saddam Hussein." (CNN's "Larry King Live," 12/14/01)


FLIP FLOP #8: Iraq Not "Source Of Serious Disagreement With Our Allies" Before War.
"We know that while Iraq was a source of friction, it was not previously a source of serious disagreement with our allies in Europe and countries in the Muslim world." (Sen. John Kerry, Remarks At New York University, New York, NY, 9/20/04)

Kerry Questioned Where Russia And France's Backbone To Stand Up To Saddam Was.
SEN. JOHN KERRY: "So clearly the allies may not like it, and I think that's our great concern - where's the backbone of Russia, where's the backbone of France, where are they in expressing their condemnation of such clearly illegal activity, but in a sense, they're now climbing into a box and they will have enormous difficulty not following up on this if there is not compliance by Iraq." (CNN's "Crossfire," 11/12/97)

Kerry Noted French Have Opposed U.S. On A Number Of Foreign Policy Issues.
SEN. JOHN KERRY: "Well, John, frankly neither you nor I know that we did nothing. I don't know that for a fact. We certainly didn't publicly, I agree, but I don't know that we did nothing. But it's not the first time France has been very difficult, as the congressman said. I think a lot of us are very disappointed that the French haven't joined us in a number of other efforts with respect to China, with respect to other issues in Asia and elsewhere and also in Europe." (CNN's "Crossfire," 11/12/97)

Kerry: Europeans Are "Wrong On Iraq" And U.S. "Will Have To Do What We Need To Do."
FOX NEWS' BILL O'REILLY: "The ambassador to Germany is basically saying what most people in Europe are saying, senator. They're afraid. They're afraid that if we go after Saddam Hussein, and all the Arabs get crazy, and the whole thing blows up, that Europe's going to take the brunt of this. I said you can't negotiate with tyrants out of fear. How do you feel about it?" SEN. JOHN KERRY: "I agree with you. ... think that you're correct in making that judgment. And I think we've all reached a judgment that obviously the United States has to protect our national security interests. And we have to do what we think is right. I do think the European demonstrations are larger than just Iraq. I think they're concerned about other issues, like global warming. They're concerned about proliferation. They're concerned about - I mean, there are a whole host of issues. So I think it's a more confused bag than just Iraq, but I think they're wrong on Iraq. I mean, plain and simply, the United States will have to do what we need to do, and our best judgment to protect our national security. And quite frankly, if we do what we need to do, it will also wind up protecting Europe." (Fox News' "The O'Reilly Factor," 5/22/02)


FLIP FLOP #9: President's Iraq Policy "Has Weakened" National Security.
"Let me put it plainly: The President's policy in Iraq has not strengthened our national security. It has weakened it." (Sen. John Kerry, Remarks At New York University, New York, NY, 9/20/04)

Kerry Questioned Judgment Of Those Claiming Saddam's Capture Doesn't Help American Security.
"Those who doubted whether Iraq or the world would be better off without Saddam Hussein, and those who believe we are not safer with his capture, don't have the judgment to be president or the credibility to be elected president." (Anne Q. Hoy, "Dean Faces More Criticism," [New York] Newsday, 12/17/03)


FLIP FLOP #10: Would Not Have Invaded Iraq Given What He Knows Now.
"Yet today, President Bush tells us that he would do everything all over again, the same way. How can he possibly be serious? Is he really saying that if we knew there were no imminent threat, no weapons of mass destruction, no ties to Al Qaeda, the United States should have invaded Iraq? My answer is no - because a Commander-in-Chief's first responsibility is to make a wise and responsible decision to keep America safe." (Sen. John Kerry, Remarks At New York University, New York, NY, 9/20/04)

In Response To President's Question About How He Would Have Voted If He Knew Then What He Knows Now, Kerry Confirmed That He Would Still Have Voted For Use Of Force Resolution.
SEN. JOHN KERRY: "Yes, I would have voted for the authority. I believe it's the right authority for a president to have. But I would have used that authority as I have said throughout this campaign, effectively. I would have done this very differently from the way President Bush has." (CNN's "Inside Politics," 8/9/04)

FLIP FLOP #11: "'Capability' To Acquire Weapons" Not Reason Enough For War. "Now the president, in looking for a new reason, tries to hang his hat on the 'capability' to acquire weapons. But that was not the reason given to the nation; it was not the reason Congress voted on; it's not a reason, it's an excuse." (Sen. John Kerry, Remarks At New York University, New York, NY, 9/20/04)

Kerry Called Those Who Would Leave Saddam Alone "Naïve To The Point Of Grave Danger."
"It would be naive to the point of grave danger not to believe that, left to his own devices, Saddam Hussein will provoke, misjudge, or stumble into a future, more dangerous confrontation with the civilized world." (Sen. John Kerry, Congressional Record, 10/9/02, p. S10171)

Kerry Said Saddam's Miscalculations Are Biggest Concern, Not "Actual" WMD.
SEN. JOHN KERRY: "I would disagree with John McCain that it's the actual weapons of mass destruction he may use against us, it's what he may do in another invasion of Kuwait or in a miscalculation about the Kurds or a miscalculation about Iran or particularly Israel. Those are the things that-that I think present the greatest danger. He may even miscalculate and slide these weapons off to terrorist groups to invite them to be a surrogate to use them against the United States. It's the miscalculation that poses the greatest threat." (CBS' "Face The Nation," 9/15/02)


FLIP FLOP #12: "Cannot Afford" To Fail In Iraq.
"In Iraq, we have a mess on our hands. But we cannot throw up our hands. We cannot afford to see Iraq become a permanent source of terror that will endanger America's security for years to come." (Sen. John Kerry, Remarks At New York University, New York, NY, 9/20/04)

Kerry Voted Against The $87 Billion Supplemental Supporting Our Troops And Providing Resources Needed To Win In Iraq. (S. 1689, CQ Vote #400: Passed 87-12: R 50-0; D 37-11; I 0-1, 10/17/03, Kerry Voted Nay)


FLIP FLOP #13: Iraq War "Made Us Less Secure."
"I believe the invasion of Iraq has made us less secure and weaker in the war against terrorism." (Sen. John Kerry, Remarks At New York University, New York, NY, 9/20/04)

Kerry Questioned Judgment Of Those Claiming Saddam's Capture Doesn't Help American Security. "Those who doubted whether Iraq or the world would be better off without Saddam Hussein, and those who believe we are not safer with his capture, don't have the judgment to be president or the credibility to be elected president." (Anne Q. Hoy, "Dean Faces More Criticism," [New York] Newsday, 12/17/03)


FLIP FLOP #14: Would Have Continued Containment Of Saddam.
"I would have tightened the noose and continued to pressure and isolate Saddam Hussein - who was weak and getting weaker -- so that he would pose no threat to the region or America." (Sen. John Kerry, Remarks At New York University, New York, NY, 9/20/04)

Kerry Expressed Opposition To "Policy Of Containment."
"So we've got a major set of choices to make here. And we'd better make them. We've been sliding into a fundamental policy of containment, which I share with Major Ritter the notion is disastrous to our overall proliferation interests and disastrous with respect to the Middle East and our interests with respect to Saddam Hussein and Iraq . But we have to make a decision whether we're prepared to do what is necessary, and I mean to the point of a sustained targeting of the regime; not the Iraqi people, but the regime." (Sen. John Kerry, Committee On Armed Services And Committee On Foreign Relations, U.S. Senate, Joint Hearing, 9/3/9
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Old 10-14-2004, 01:41 PM
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Default GREAT POST!

Great post!

There are simply too many "flip-flops" to remember.
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Old 10-14-2004, 01:47 PM
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Default .



"Dead or alive" / "I'm not concerned"

WoMD

Uniter not a divider

Compassionate conservative
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Old 10-14-2004, 01:51 PM
President2032 President2032 is offline
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Default They just won't let it go!

Imaginary world!

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Old 10-14-2004, 01:57 PM
DanoDeMano DanoDeMano is offline
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Default Clarify...

Quote:
Originally Posted by truebrit";p=&quot View Post
"Dead or alive" / "I'm not concerned"
He wanted to get Osama dead or alive and then assumed that Osama is probably dead and said he's not concerned about him.

Quote:
Originally Posted by truebrit";p=&quot View Post
WoMD
How is this a flip-flop?

Quote:
Originally Posted by truebrit";p=&quot View Post
Uniter not a divider
He didn't try and divide, in fact he vetoed nothing. This is no flip-flop either, it is not even based on anything he said.

Quote:
Originally Posted by truebrit";p=&quot View Post
Compassionate conservative
How is this a flip-flop? It was part of his platform and he did start faith-based initiatives.
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Old 10-14-2004, 07:50 PM
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Default bush likes his waffles more than kerry, I'm afraid

Hey TrueBrit, you forgot one:

Bush one day saying you can't win the war on terror...then just a day later saying he will win the war on terror..flippity floppity!!!!
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5865710/

Put that in your pipes and smoke it, you bush lovers...BTW stop saying kerry is a flip-flopper, everybody flip flops, we are humans!
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