Reply #17: Why did Kerry ignored Kennedy's warnings and voted for war?

[IndianaGreen]

Perhaps it is that Kerry gambled that the war would be over soon, and Bush would be very popular about toppling Saddam (the singing and dancing in the streets stuff), and that the economy would be the overriding issue in 2004.

Kerry chose to forget the lessons of Tonkin Gulf, and wanted us to believe him when he said that he believed Bush when Bush said that he would consult Congress rather than rush to war.

Only imperialist powers assume to speak for the entire world, and only a deluded nation would think of itself as the Leader of the Free World.

A free world, by definition, needs no leader, it relies instead on collective action.

More on what Kennedy said, that Kerry ignored:

I intend to oppose the Lieberman-Warner resolution authorizing the use of force against Iraq. America should not go to war against Iraq unless and until all other reasonable alternatives are exhausted.

<snip>

I am concerned that going to war against Iraq before other means are tried will jeopardize the war against terrorism. One year into the battle against al-Qaida, the administration is shifting focus, resources, and energy to Iraq. The change in priority is coming before we have eliminated the threat from al-Qaida, before we know whether Osama bin Laden is dead or alive, and before we know whether the fragile post-Taliban government in Afghanistan will succeed.

<snip>

There is clearly a threat from Iraq, and there is clearly a danger, but the administration has not made a convincing case that we face such an imminent threat to our national security that a unilateral, pre- emptive American strike and an immediate war are necessary. Nor has the administration laid out the cost in blood and treasure of this operation.

With all the talk of war, the administration has not explicitly acknowledged, let alone explained to the American people, the immense post-war commitment that will be required to create a stable Iraq.

<snip>

In a September 10 article, General Clark wrote: "Unilateral U.S. action today would disrupt the war against al-Qaida."

We ignore such wisdom and advice from many of the best of our military at our own peril.

http://www.monitor.net/monitor/0210a/iraqdebate4.html