Kerry to introduce Iraq withdrawal plan

[sabra]

http://www.upi.com/SecurityTerrorism/view.php?StoryID=20060612-123823-4136r

Kerry to introduce Iraq withdrawal plan

WASHINGTON, June 12 (UPI) -- Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., will this week introduce legislation to pull the majority of U.S. troops out of Iraq by the end of 2006, his office announced.

Kerry will offer an amendment to the 2007 defense authorization bill.

...

Kerry's amendment would hinge on establishing a schedule with the Iraqi government.

"This will legitimize the new Iraqi government, enable the Iraqis to become more self-reliant, and undermine support for the insurgency," the announcement from his office said.

Under Kerry's plan, not all U.S. troops would leave Iraq. Those "essential to completing the mission of standing up Iraqi security forces would remain," the announcement said.

[meti57b]

1. Excellent thinking for a lot of reasons, both humanitarian and political.

[letsgonova19087]

2. Kerry is a dumb messenger

Most people still don't know what his stance on Iraq was during the election. Needed someone without nearly as much baggage. People will see John Kerry and roll their eyes, regardless of whether he's right or not.

[JanusAscending]

4. Now, what that necessary???

I know you have a right to your opinion, but my opinion is that you don't come blazing into DU calling a respected statesman like J. Kerry "dumb"!! Who else is getting this message out to America? I know what his thoughts were in re to Iraq before we elected him President, but where was your head at? Did you bother to do any research on this before before you opened your mouth, and inserted your foot? Want a warm welcome to DU? You won't get it this way.

[Name removed]

19. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Vektor]

21. Actually, yes, D.C.'s post WAS necessary!

What is not necessary is baseless attacks and childish insults...

D.C.'s slapping down someone who is clearly posting inaccurate nonsense was not only necessary, but totally on the mark.

[ProSense]

22. Maybe you can put aside your disappointment to save lives? Maybe? n/t

[fedupinBushcountry]

6. Did you call your Senators ?

Move along. :eyes:

[Vektor]

16. Hahaha - that's hysterical.

Actually, there's nobody with half a brain cell who doesn't fully understand Kerry's position on Iraq.

Now, who exactly are you calling dumb?

[Roland99]

18. Someone never read Kerry's statement on the floor during the IWR vote.

[warrens]

3. The Evil Empire has no intention of withdrawing...ever

This was was started for a reason: to control the middle eastern oil supply. Not necessarily own it, but control it. We closed our bases in Saudi Arabia; if we leave Iraq, we lose all control. And the Evil Empire would not be happy.

[saskatoon]

20. Warren---lose control?

Have you heard about the Embassy we are Building in Iraq---the size of 8 Football Fields?

[TommyO]

31. True, but they won't be in power forever

and Democrats need to put forward plans on how to deal with Iraq. The right-wing media will continue to say that we don't have a plan, but we, and the growing number of U.S. citizens who see the truth about Bush, will know better come November 2006.

[keopeli]

5. About 2 years late, but still welcome. n/t

[ECH1969]

7. Kerry is so full of shit

His pandering for my vote has been so obvious it is pathetic.

I am going to vote for someone who actually "believes" what they are saying and not someone that uses public opinion polls to determine their position on issues.

[ProSense]

8. You're so full of myths!

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=364&topic_id=1015710&mesg_id=1015710

[Le Taz Hot]

28. He voted for the war

that's no myth. Put any after-the-fact spin on it you want but the DLC told him he would appear "weak on terrorism" if he voted against the war. He didn't give a shit about American lives then and no one is going to convince me he gives a shit about American lives now. And, by the way, when WILL he contest the Ohio votes? We're still waiting.

[JanusAscending]

34. Just out of curiosity,

who would you have be the messanger for the Dem. party in re to Iraq? I think Kerry has earned the right to speak for me, as I helped him get elected! Why don't all the folks on this forum who think he's not putting up enough of a fight, start fighting for fair elections, so that this never happens again?? If you're not part of the solution, you are part of the problem. (In my humble opinion) DC

[Le Taz Hot]

37. I think Feingold would be an outstanding president

but we all know the DLC big boys would never let him through. It's none of my business who you want to speak for you, Kerry just doesn't speak for me. I've been against this war from the beginning. Kerry cannot say the same. And the time for Kerry to put up a fight was a) during the IWR and b) in November of 2004 after it became painfully clear that election fraud was perpetrated in many areas but especially in Ohio. He put his finger in the wind, pressed speed dial to the DLC who gave him his instructions. And I don't find it necessary to prove my creds to anyone -- my life is my proof.

[fedupinBushcountry]

9. Go whine somewhere else

Pathetic. I guess you agree with staying the course because it would hurt your little feelings to much to agree with Kerry.

[ECH1969]

10. Ask yourself this

Would Kerry be saying this if support for the war was at 50%?

I know the answer to that question because I remember how Kerry acted when support was at 50%.

And, I also remember him saying after Saddam was caught that if Howard Dean had been President Saddam Hussain would still be in power.

[halobeam]

13. Yeah... Kerry says what he believes.

How he says it, imo.. can be debated because it isn't "simple" enough for repubs to catch on to it, but nevertheless, he believes in his country. Not like one idiot president we have in the house now.

[fedupinBushcountry]

15. Don't have to ask myself, I know

He stated himself that he had planned if President to start withdrawal as early as the summer of '05. He said that in '04. Got any other questions that you think you know the answers too ?

To bad your still suffering from primary blame syndrome, maybe if you weren't you would get on the phone to your Senators and demand action.

[letsgonova19087]

29. Exactly

I happen to agree with his "policy" (as it stands today...what will it be next week?) but the guy is as much a political opportunist as all the rest of them are. Look at some of his quotes about Saddam. ECH correctly pointed them out. Remember- the American people already rejected Kerry once. Let's put a new face on this battle like Murtha or even a more moderate Dem. Kerry ran, Kerry lost, end of saga.

[fedupinBushcountry]

36. Ummm

to bad you don't keep up with what is really going on. Kerry had this plan in since April where you been? Oh, nevermind, you'll never get behind him since you are still whining about the '04 primary. The American people rejected Kerry, so who are we that voted for him, non-Americans? Geez keep talking you make less and less sense.

[Vektor]

17. Pot, meet kettle.

If there were an election in which Kerry were actually running right now - I'd vote for the most vocal, outspoken, relentless critic of this war, and the one who has come out with the most comprehensive and concise withdrawal plan for Iraq yet. KERRY. Ya know, the guy who actually demanded withdrawal, and is now moving to pass an amendment on it? KERRY. The same guy who CLEARLY BELIEVES what he is saying, and isn't just talking out his ass like a lot of other politicians, but is actually doing something. KERRY.

I'm also amused that you think that Kerry's Iraq Amendment is a personal plea for YOUR precious vote. Vote for what, pray tell? He isn't running for anything. Yup, he lives only to pander to you, your loftiness. He has nothing better to do, but pander for your vote when he is NOT EVEN UP FOR ELECTION RIGHT NOW. (?????)


:rofl:

[wisteria]

43. Kerry's is sincere in his stance on this war. This is the "real" Kerry.

He is doing this because he thinks it is the right thing to do. At this time, he isn't running for anything and some of his fellow democrats are uncomfortable with his position in regards to Iraq.

[truthisfreedom]

11. good move for him to introduce this now, so anything the thugs come up

with for fall elections will be a copy of Kerry's ideas.

[halobeam]

12. It still won't stop them though, and it won't be the first time they

would do that either. It's like a habbit at this point.

Kerry thinks of it, says it, they swoosh a few words around, and it becomes theirs. Disgusting and they did it all through the campaign, too.

[Veronica.Franco]

14. Good for Kerry ... our troops need someone to get them the hell

OUT of that hellhole ... and the sooner the better ...

[RCinBrooklyn]

23. I'd like to see some other Dems take the lead. Kerry is done.

[ProSense]

24. If he has taken the lead, how is he done? Support withdrawal! n/t

[politicasista]

26. I am glad to see Kerry or ANY Dem lead on this issue

Too bad you aren't.

[JanusAscending]

35. Honey, he's only just begun!!

You're naivete is showing.

[Lost4words]

38. If Kerry has just begun, he is starting a little too late for me & USA

The time to JUST BEGUN was during the GD Campaign dont you think?


I supported him 100%, and feel he let the country down.
:puke:

[daleo]

25. I don't like the "not all troops would leave" bit

But the idea of the summit is a good one.

"Under Kerry's plan, not all U.S. troops would leave Iraq. Those "essential to completing the mission of standing up Iraqi security forces would remain," the announcement said.

The United States would maintain presence in the region "to prosecute the war on terror and protect regional security interests."

Finally, his amendment will call on President George W. Bush to convene a summit including the new Iraqi government, leaders of the governments of each country bordering Iraq, representatives of the Arab League, the secretary general of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, representatives of the European Union, and leaders of the governments of each permanent member of the United Nations Security Council to reach reach an agreement on Iraq's fundamental political challenges -- whether and how the country will be federalized along geographic lines, how oil revenues are to be divided, what to do about sectarian militias, security guarantees, reconstruction, economic assistance and border security, Kerry's office said."

[ProSense]

27. Plan calls for all combat troops to be withdrawn by the of the year.

http://www.johnkerry.com/pressroom/news/news_2006_0612.html

[daleo]

30. says "leaving troops critical to the mission of standing up Iraqi forces"

"(1) SCHEDULE FOR WITHDRAWAL. -- The President shall reach an agreement as soon as possible with the Government Iraq on a schedule for the withdrawal of United States combat troops from Iraq by December 31, 2006, leaving only forces that are critical to completing the mission of standing up Iraqi security forces."

That's a fair bit of wiggle room. Training? Intelligence? Logistics? Air Support?

On edit - I am not necessarily dismissing the plan.

[VegasWolf]

32. I could care less about any plan that talks of reducing the "majority" of

troops. They should ALL be brought home. As much as Bush thinks he can eventually get control of Iraq's oil, he will never be able to. Leaving 50,000 troops to guard Halliburton's oil pipleline won't fly. Our staying presence in Iraq is continuing the destabilization of that poor country.

[IndianaGreen]

33. This is UPIs' version of Kerry's plan

I look forward to reading Kerry's plan without Moonie filters.

[StellaBlue]

39. Bwhahahahaha

TWO YEARS LATE!

:rofl:

I do hope it's taken seriously, of course, but...

[stepnw1f]

40. Good.... a Step in the Right Direction (nt)

[flaminbats]

41. yes it is..

Kerry could have won my primary vote if he had done this two years ago. Politicians admitting they are wrong is as rare as a Dalek saying "I love you!!"


But when it happens..the politician is either politically doomed or making a comeback.

[wisteria]

42. I admire Kerry's outspokenness on the withdraw of troops.

It is not a popular move inside the party, but it is, in my opinion, the right one. We all need to support him and let our other Senators know how we feel about continuing to fence sit on this matter.

[PittPoliSci]

44. Dear John...

This stance would have been more helpful to you, oh say...about 2 years ago?