Raw Story: Kerry spars with Allard on Senate floor

"When it comes to issues of war and peace and young Americans dying, nobody spins me," Kerry announced early into a long and forceful rebuttal. "Period."

Kerry continued his argument that Iraq would respond to the deadline and form a government, allowing the U.S. to exit faster. This time, he directed his remarks squarely at Allard. "Let me ask the Senator from Colorado: Is it okay that young Americans are dying right now while politicians in Baghdad are frittering away the time and squandering the opportunity that our soldiers fought to give them?"

Kerry went on to cite observations made by the top U.S. General in Iraq, polls from U.S. troops, and Iraqi Prime Minister Allawi that seemed to contradict Allard's assessment that a plan was already in place to handle the situation, repeatedly asking if the Senator thinks he "knows better" than they.

Kerry's language became even more direct as he went on to blast Allard's assurances that the administration was credible on the topic of the war.