http://www.bangornews.com/editorialnews/article.cfm?ID=439817The next four years of the war against terrorism will be defined by what happens next in Iraq. Will the United States seek allies throughout the Middle East and the world to build support for pulling Iraq back from the chaos of a growing civil war or will it stay a failing course? This rethinking of strategy is the first essential step for the nation to strengthen its hand in Iraq and rebuild its fallen image so that it can achieve its aims not only of stability there but of attracting broad cooperation against terrorism worldwide.
... Sen. John Kerry has shown throughout his Senate career that he understands the way to build strong and lasting alliances is through respect for the ideas of other nations, leadership by example abroad and strict standards for human rights always. These are the traditions of which the United States is most proud and most justifiably proud. It is the way presidents from both parties have led for a generation and, with a few terrible exceptions, for much of the nation's history.
President George Bush set out on a similar course after Sept. 11 in responding forcefully to al-Qaida in Afghan-istan, but squandered his opportunity to more effectively fight this global war through a fixation on Iraq that has alienated international support, turned good will into resentment and increased the danger to America. It is one thing to remain consistent with a message of support and optimism, but quite another to have your policies deny the reality of a worsening situation.
... We endorsed George W. Bush in 2000 based on his humility, optimism, a professed compassionate brand of Republicanism and, after the divisive years between the White House and Congress in the 1990s, his pledge to be a uniter, not a divider. Those traits have arisen occasionally in the last four years, but not often.
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