Andrew Sullivan: "...today's 20/20 critics seem eager to claim that, even after 9/11, the administration should only have acted against Saddam if it had proven beyond any reasonable doubt that he was indeed in league with al Qaeda.
Sen. John Kerry, October, 2002: "The events of September 11 created new understanding of the terrorist threat and the degree to which every nation is vulnerable. That understanding enabled the administration to form a broad and impressive coalition against terrorism. Had the administration tried then to capitalize on this unity of spirit to build a coalition to disarm Iraq, we would not be here in the pressing days before an election, late in this year, debating this now."
Sen. John Kerry, January 2003: "So the threat of Saddam Hussein with weapons of mass destruction is real, but it is not new. It has been with us since the end of the Persian Gulf War. Regrettably the current Administration failed to take the opportunity to bring this issue to the United Nations two years ago or immediately after September 11th, when we had such unity of spirit with our allies."
C'mon, Andrew, let's give credit where due - Tall John stood up for linking Saddam with 9/11 not once, but twice, in his two most significant foreign policy speeches.
Of course, that was many months, and several Kerrys, ago.
It really seems to me that the hardcore Dems have all but totally abandoned Kerry... a few months ago, such a critique like yours would have gotten a lot more attention from the left. But I think very few people can defend Kerry's obvious waffling anymore.
Posted by: HH | November 18, 2003 at 06:49 PM
More from Kerry:
"Mr. President, I will be voting to give the President of the United States the authority to use force - if necessary - to disarm Saddam Hussein because I believe that a deadly arsenal of weapons of mass destruction in his hands is a real and grave threat to our security and that of our allies in the Persian Gulf region."
Senator John F. Kerry (Democrat, Massachusetts)
Addressing the US Senate
October 9, 2002
http://www.southcoasttoday.com/daily/10-02/10-10-02/a02wn008.htm
Posted by: Hans | November 18, 2003 at 09:57 PM
Kerry is playing the game with Dean's rulebook. He's being treated by the Dems like the Red Sox treated Manny Ramirez. Put him out on his own and see if anyone takes him.
Mr. Kerry, the President would love your support today.
Posted by: axiom | November 18, 2003 at 10:45 PM
Now of course it's all different... Get ready for passionate waffling defenses!
Posted by: HH | February 11, 2004 at 04:29 PM