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| On Iraq, Kerry Again Leaves Democrats Fuming |
Itsdb |
06/21/06 |
From today's NY Times...
By KATE ZERNIKE
WASHINGTON, June 20 - When Senator John Kerry was their presidential nominee in 2004, Democrats fervently wished he would express himself firmly about the Iraq war.
Mr. Kerry has found his resolve. But it has not made his fellow Democrats any happier. They fear the latest evolution of Mr. Kerry's views on Iraq may now complicate their hopes of taking back a majority in Congress in 2006.
As the Senate prepared for what promises to be a sharp debate starting on Wednesday about whether to begin pulling troops from Iraq, the Democratic leadership wants its members to rally behind a proposal that calls for some troops to move out by the end of this year but does not set a fixed date for complete withdrawal. Mr. Kerry has insisted on setting a date, for American combat troops to pull out in 12 months, saying anything less is too cautious.
In drawing up a schedule for the Wednesday session, the Democratic leadership has arranged for its plan to be debated first, pushing Mr. Kerry and his proposal into the evening, too late for the nightly television news, to starve it of some attention.
Senate Democrats have been loath to express their opinions publicly, determined to emphasize a united front. But interviews suggest a frustration with Mr. Kerry, never popular among the caucus, and still unpopular among many Democrats for failing to defeat a president they considered vulnerable. Privately, some of his Democratic peers complain that he is too focused on the next presidential campaign...
...Mr. Kerry's insistence on pushing ahead with his own plan has left the Democrats divided, and open to renewed Republican accusations that they are indecisive and weak - the same ridicule that Republicans heaped on Mr. Kerry in 2004, when his "I was for it before I was against it" statement about a vote on money for the war became a punch line...
...Some Democrats felt Mr. Kerry allowed Republicans to embarrass them in a vote last week, when the Republicans embraced Mr. Kerry's proposal, certain it would be defeated and allow them to declare themselves the party of unity and strength...
In a telephone interview on Tuesday, Mr. Kerry characterized his statement as the position of strength, and said Democrats had made a mistake not to take a firm stand.
"The Democrats need to be strong and stand up with a clear articulation about how we make the United States stronger," he said. "As far as I'm concerned, we should go right at Karl Rove and his phony tough talk that is calculated purely for the election and not for a successful strategy in Iraq..."
...Senator Charles E. Schumer of New York, chairman of the Democrats' effort to take control of the Senate, minimized the effect the vote would have in November.
"The public and the voters are looking at how George Bush handles Iraq," he said. "They know that he got us in there, they know he's the commander in chief, and they don't believe he has figured out a strategy that will show light at the end of the tunnel. That is the overriding issue in the election, far more than what Democrats are doing."
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The rest can be read here.
So much for Democrat unity. We have the moonbat wing that's not happy with Hillary, and Kerry - who has been running for president for 2 years - has those in power fuming at him. Another indication that Al Gore will be the man in 2008? Could this be part of a plan by some to have Al ride in on his white horse to save the day? |
Clarification/Follow-up by Judgment_Day on 06/21/06 8:55 pm:
Hopefully more choices will arise from less unity and that includes both major parties. Traditionally were stuck after the party makes their nomination decisions and the conventions begin to rally support.
"Ok, Ok, enough on the Tai Chi remark, lol. I understand perfectly the rigors and discipline required - I'd just rather have watched more of Chuck Norris kicking the crap out of Joe Piscopo instead.
And I admit I watched Jerry doing the tango - but how he made it into the finals was beyond me. Truth be told, I could have watched Stacy Keibler dance all night..."
Steve- Rice made it to the finals the same way the Heat just won the NBA championship. The orders are given by the commissioner. It's an entertainment venue, not reality based.
Clarification/Follow-up by Itsdb on 06/21/06 9:09 pm:
Now don't get me started on the NBA finals...if Cuban weren't so rich already I'd consider contributing to his fine. Of course if the Mavs had just made half the shots they missed in the 3rd period they would have won by at least 8.
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