Reply #1: He is really taking a position that is very based on his diligent analysis

[karynnj]

I know it will not impress the lefty freaks, but it really is one of the few comprehensive, thoughtful positions that any one in either party has put out. It will be interesting to see how many Kerry ideas and phrases end up in common usage in speaking of the alternatives. He, more than anyone, has made the point that this can't be just a military effort and that good enough governance is needed. With Britain also demanding that Afghanistan institute reforms, it will be interesting to see if there are any substantial things Karzai does to change things.

Both here and in the CFR speech, Kerry made the same chilling point of seeing looks on people seeing him in a heavily armored vehicle that reminded him of the looks in Vietnam. That and the comment here that this really is an Afghan war that Afghans will decide - just as he said of Iraq and Pakistan with respect to their wars, really show a very different mind set than those who saw the US power as infinite in changing those countries.