Kerry suggests what Bush should say tomorrow

[karynnj]

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x1890164


Nice op-ed So, I guess they're not totally boycotting Kerry.

ttp://www.nytimes.com/2005/06/28/opinion/28kerry.html?hp=&pagewanted=print

edited to add nytimes link -so you can get full article if as politicasista suggested (by the way thanks - I understand your hesitation,)

[politicasista]

1. Here is the statement for those who don't want to fool with GDP

TONIGHT President Bush will discuss the situation in Iraq. It's long past time to get it right in Iraq. The Bush administration is courting disaster with its current course - a course with no realistic strategy for reducing the risks to our soldiers and increasing the odds for success.

The reality is that the Bush administration's choices have made Iraq into what it wasn't before the war - a breeding ground for jihadists. Today there are 16,000 to 20,000 jihadists and the number is growing. The administration has put itself - and, tragically, our troops, who pay the price every day - in a box of its own making. Getting out of this box won't be easy, but we owe it to our soldiers to make our best effort.

Our mission in Iraq is harder because the administration ignored the advice of others, went in largely alone, underestimated the likelihood and power of the insurgency, sent in too few troops to secure the country, destroyed the Iraqi army through de-Baathification, failed to secure ammunition dumps, refused to recognize the urgency of training Iraqi security forces and did no postwar planning. A little humility would go a long way - coupled with a strategy to succeed.

So what should the president say tonight? The first thing he should do is tell the truth to the American people. Happy talk about the insurgency being in "the last throes" leads to frustrated expectations at home. It also encourages reluctant, sidelined nations that know better to turn their backs on their common interest in keeping Iraq from becoming a failed state.

The president must also announce immediately that the United States will not have a permanent military presence in Iraq. Erasing suspicions that the occupation is indefinite is critical to eroding support for the insurgency.

Thanks Karyn for posting the other link.:hi:

[Island Blue]

4. This morning on one of the North Carolina TV Channels I get

they had a headline that said "President" Bush will be at Ft. Bragg in NC today to mark the one year anniversary of transfer of power to the Iraqis.

So tell me again Shurb, how's that transfer of power thing been workin' out for us?

It's nice to see the words of someone who would have actually been capable of leading the nation out of this mess. Sigh. Thanks for posting this!

[JI7]

2. reminds me of campaign days

he is saying the same things he said then .

[kerrygoddess]

3. Wonderful!

Great to see this. Look for something on LUTD tomorrow too!

[TayTay]

5. Very, very good letter

It's very consistent with what he said all last year and on MTP earlier this year.

Sigh! If only. (Gotta send that group in Ohio that is doing the Ballot Initiative question to bring state election supervision under independent control a check. This could be the most important check I send out in the next 3 years.)

[Mass]

6. Very good letter

My only regret is that he did not find a way to talk about the DSM somewhere.

[karynnj]

8. The common thread between this op-ed and the DSM is Bush lies

Asking Bush to level with the American people implies he hasn't told the truth up to this point. In addition, Kerry actually says a lot concisely in this op-ed

1) He stated that Bush has not taken the help offered by other countries to train the Iraqis or pushed to involve them in the diplomacy.
2) He lists many mistakes made in Iraq, many of which are mind boggling.
3) He proposes many actions that would likely get us out faster which are consistent with what he said last year.
4) He unequivocally said we should state we don't want permanent bases. Pushing this leads into what Bush's goals really are, and again the likely conclusion that they are not leveling with the country on their goals.

Tonight, Bush will likely NOT level with the American people. When Kerry sends the DSM letter to the Senate, I wonder if he will tie not telling the truth then to stating that Bush didn't take the chance to tell the truth now. Not to diminish the fact that lying us into war is outrageous, but he would be saying the lying has never stopped.

[whometense]

9. Brilliant.

And strategic. I bet you're right on this. Caught in the web of his own lies. With the polls showing that the people are finally seeing through the rovian rhetoric, this could work out to be very interesting.

[TayTay]

10. And there is a speech coming today on the floor

KerryGoddess has the details (as does Dr. Ron.) This should get real interesting.

[Mass]

11. This is great news

I hope it will be posted on dembloggers. I will be on the road to Western Mass this afternoon.

[whometense]

12. Now I'm getting excited.

This is vintage Kerry. Strike when the time is right.

Edit to add happy Kerry presidential photo. :loveya: :loveya: :loveya:

[Mass]

7. The usual wackos are there now, unfortunately.

[karynnj]

13. The wackos might end up in a weird position in 2008

What if (Clinton, Edwards, Bayh, Biden, Warner) all refuse to make the same unequivocal statement on no permanent bases? If Clark doesn't run (or accepts bases), there may not be any serious candidate to Kerry's left. (Feingold is the only possibility I can think of) But it's weird to think they might end up supporting Kerry just to stop one of those people.

[whometense]

14. Diabolical.

That Kerry. He sure is one slick pol. :D

[ginnyinWI]

15. Feingold

In my opinion he might be vice-presidential material, but couldn't pull off a nomination by himself. He's going through his second divorce right now, but that's not the main reason. He should be more outspoken, and he hasn't been lately.

[whometense]

16. Good point.

I think he'd be a fantastic vice president.