Kerry, Kennedy & Reid Statements on Bush Speech

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Oct 6, 2005

Kerry on Bush Speech, President’s Attacks on Critics

Below is a statement by Senator John Kerry on President Bush’s Speech today:

"Today, the White House promised a "major address" and "unprecedented detail" on Iraq. Yet once again President Bush chose old truisms over the new answers that are needed. Every American agrees we must win the war on terror, but after today's speech every American is still waiting to hear the President offer any specifics about how we will win or how he will clean up a terrorist mess in Iraq that didn't exist before the invasion.

Tragically, in all of President Bush's references to Osama Bin Laden, he gave absolutely no indication that we were any closer to destroying this mass murderer than we were on September 12, 2001.

Instead, the President continues to invent a false link between the war in Iraq and the tragedy of September 11th. While this fiction may be effective politics, it's no substitute for a real strategy for success in Iraq. Americans want a strategy for success that will bring our troops home, not rhetoric to distract us from the reality on the ground.

The President today accused Americans who ask tough questions about his Iraq policy of a 'self defeating pessimism'. He's wrong. There's nothing pessimistic about demanding that our government do better by our troops, and there's nothing more pessimistic than an Administration refusing to provide candor and leadership equal to our troops' sacrifice."

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 6, 2005

Washington, DC – Democratic Leader Harry Reid released the following statement today on Bush’s continued failure to talk straight to the American people about the war in Iraq:

“Once again the president had an opportunity to lay out for the American people the facts on the ground in Iraq and his strategy to achieve the military, political and economic success needed in order to bring our troops home. Once again, he failed to do so. Instead, the president continued to falsely assert there is a link between the war in Iraq and the tragedy of September 11th, a link that did not and does not exist.

“The truth is the Administration’s mishandling of the war in Iraq has made us less safe and Iraq risks becoming what it was not before the war: a training ground for terrorists.

“It is clear our window of opportunity is closing in Iraq and the president continues to fail to provide a strategy for success in order to prevent this outcome. My Democratic colleagues and I submitted four specific questions to the president about his strategy for Iraq that the American people demand be answered. Instead of answering those questions, the president offered the same failed approach, stay the course. We cannot continue to stay the course, we must change the course. The American people and our brave men and women in Iraq deserve better.”

THE AMERICAN PEOPLE’S KEY QUESTIONS ON IRAQ

How many capable Iraqi forces do we need before we can bring our troops home?

What is the administration doing to forge a political consensus?

What is the administration doing to make Iraq’s neighbors a part of our strategy?

What progress is being made on the reconstruction in Iraq and how do we know taxpayers dollars are being spent wisely?

KENNEDY STATEMENT ON BUSH IRAQ SPEECH

The President seems to be saying "full speed ahead" for our current failed policy in Iraq, when it is abundantly clear that staying the course is the wrong course for America. It's time for the President to admit mistakes, talk with candor and honesty, and outline a winning strategy for Iraq.

The Administration's policy has made Iraq a breeding ground for terrorism, which it was not before the war and the American people know it. His policy has isolated America in the world, created more recruits for Al Qaeda, and made it harder -- not easier -- to win the war on terror.

It also seems foolish for the president to brag openly about disrupting Al Qaeda plots to attack us. His "bring it on" attitude hasn't worked, and such statements can only goad Al Qaeda into trying harder.

http://www.lightupthedarkness.org/blog/?view=plink&id=1403

Gotta love the man.

.

It's NOT going to be in or on the news. If anything, Bush will gain some ground in the polls for being a "strong" leader.

:puke:

If the blogosphere screamed about its absence instead of parroting the "where are the Democrats" bullshit.

I'm really confused as to why * keeps spouting the same shit. Even his 'base' isn't falling for it anymore.

"..American is still waiting to hear the President offer any specifics about how we will win or how he will clean up a terrorist mess in Iraq that didn't exist before the invasion.

Tragically, in all of President Bush's references to Osama Bin Laden, he gave absolutely no indication that we were any closer to destroying this mass murderer than we were on September 12, 2001."

And from Kennedy..this is dead on..

"It also seems foolish for the president to brag openly about disrupting Al Qaeda plots to attack us. His "bring it on" attitude hasn't worked, and such statements can only goad Al Qaeda into trying harder."

Especially "bragging" when it's a damn lie..and if you ask for proof of this "lie" I will say.."when has * ever told the truth?"

a direct quote from Wes Clark....

I'm not surprised Wes Clark said we need to change course.

... the DU threads reporting this information get like 20 replies, and then a day later, a thread screaming WHERE ARE THE DEMOCRATS?????!!!!!! gets 150 replies and 15 votes for the Greatest Page?

At least this one's on the Greatest Page.

the same thing in almost exactly the same words. Only the ordering of the sentences might vary.

If the Repubs turn on Bush and come to the Dems position great, whats your point?

they'd be doing the "talking points" trot.

You know, if you watch Jon Stewart you've seen his montages of them repeating the exact same words or phrases.

Sorry, slight misunderstanding, I thought this was the compulsory DU "the Democrats are just like the Republicans" post. My apologies.

:)

Or should we leave, and let the Iraqi people decide their own future. These guys make it look so difficult.

Barbara is for a "success strategy"

"It was an inspiring gathering -- one that makes clear that the American people will no longer stand for the Administration's hollow rhetoric that we must "stay the course."

You and I agree. Thank you so much for signing my Iraq petition, demanding answers from President Bush and a success strategy that will get our troops home. Now please invite everyone you know to stand with us.

It's time for a credible plan and timetable to bring American troops home. It's time for details about how Iraqi troops will take our place."

Cindy is for a success strategy

"CS: When we say now, we don't mean that they can all come home tomorrow. I hope everybody knows that. We have to start by withdrawing our troops from the cities, bringing them to the borders and getting them out. We have to replace our military with something that looks Arabic, something that looks Iraqi, to rebuild their country. You know, they have the technology, they have the skills, but they don't have any jobs right now."

I have to wonder though, why it is that people call for our Dem's to speak out, and when they do, they ignore what they have to say and continue to dismiss them as spineless.

Stand up Democrats, and stand firm against this adminstration.

:kick: