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Edited on Wed Jan-24-07 04:17 PM by welshTerrier2
i know there have been lots of threads on Kerry's decision not to run but I wanted to say a few things from my own perspective.
I've had numerous conversations with DU's "Kerry people" over the last few years. Some of these exchanges were charged with antagonism; some were filled with respect. Some were public in GD-P and some were via PM. I know there has been some discussion and introspection the last few days about whether the Kerry people helped or hurt Kerry's image on DU and across the web. Let's put that to rest: Kerry's DU supporters were both passionate and knowledgeable in the arguments they presented on the Senator's behalf. There's no need whatsoever for second guessing yourselves. I hold you all in the highest esteem.
Second, and I want to be very clear on this, I've strongly disagreed with many of the reasons some did not want to see Kerry run again. Those who would never support him because of his IWR vote or his decision not to contest Ohio, whether I agree with their decision or not, seem, at least to me, to have a valid basis for reaching the decision they reached. But there have been others who questioned Kerry's "speaking style" (boring, arrogant, too blue blooded, or whatever) and those who didn't think Kerry should run because "he had his chance". For me, that is just not a legitimate basis to oppose someone. I abhorred the anti-intellectualism reflected by some who criticized Kerry. Complicated issues cannot always be reduced to simplistic sound bites.
Third, I was NOT a Kerry supporter myself (although i supported him in 2004) because I did not like his position on the war. I had hoped, however, and still do, that Kerry would become more aggressive in calling for a much more rapid end to the war. I watched his speech on the Senate floor today. Perhaps this is not the best time to address policy and focus more on Kerry himself, but, he did raise an issue in his speech that clearly defines the key difference between his position on Iraq and mine. I do NOT comment on this here to debate the point but rather to clarify my differences with him. I have never ruled out my possible support for Kerry under the right circumstances.
Kerry made an excellent observation during his speech today. He said that we have now trained more than 300,000 Iraqi troops. He said that it's clear, more training is not the problem; Iraqi troops have shown they are just not "motivated" to defend their own country. They have all sorts of other allegiances to local militia groups or other factions. Who could possibly disagree with Kerry's critically important assessment? I surely don't.
But then Kerry went on to argue that, over the next one year, setting a target withdrawal date of roughly Q1, 2008, we should put the Iraqis on notice that we will be leaving. Kerry reasoned that this will provide them with a strong incentive to accept responsibility for their own defense. Numerous other Democrats have drawn the same conclusion. I couldn't disagree more strongly. Let me ask you, do you believe individuals in Iraq who have been trained as soldiers by the US military and currently have strong religious or family ties to various militia groups will, on hearing that the US will leave, suddenly change their allegiance and do the job we want them to do? Spin it, twist it, turn it - I just can't get there from here. Those trained soldiers have already made their loyalties more than clear. Kerry's assessment of them is dead on the money. Hoping that the "threat of US withdrawal" will change the side they've chosen just does not make any sense at all.
Anyway, sorry to drift off to a policy observation but i did want to respond to the comments regarding Iraq policy that Kerry made today.
I am truly sorry Kerry decided not to run. I am not eager to support anyone who is currently running and his voice in the debates will be sorely missed. Again, a genuine, heartfelt Kudos to DU's Kerry supporters.
Oh, and one last thought on what I would like to see his supporters do next. Some have said they hoped the Kerrycrats would find another candidate very soon. I do NOT hope that at all. In fact, I hope the Kerrycrats choose to remain a voice for change. I hope they put pressure on current and future candidates to move towards their views on the issues. It is our voices that should be followed by the candidates; not the other way around.
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