"This is an Imperialist Country That's Fighting an Imperialist War"

Democrats in Self-Destruct Mode CCLXII

During an exchange, Wednesday, at City College of New York, John Kerry was reminded how difficult it will be for him to mollify his party's left wing when retired college professor Walter Daum challenged him on Iraq (ellipses in original).

DAUM: You have said, "Stay the course." George Bush calls the people there "thugs;" you call them "extremists." But they hated Saddam Hussein, and they now hate us. They wanted Saddam Hussein out. Now they want the United States out. And you say, "Stay the course." What the United States is doing is bombing hospitals, bombing mosques, sniping at civilians, killing hundreds of civilians, wounding thousands of civilians. And you say, "Stay the course." Is that the criminal course that you want to stay? This is an imperialist country that's fighting an imperialist war. You say, "Stay the course of this imperialist war," and you say you are a stark difference from George Bush. People hate George Bush. By the end of your presidency people will hate you for the same thing. You may fool some of the Americans that you are different from George Bush on this war, but you're not fooling most of the world and you're going to fool Iraqis.

KERRY: I have consistently been critical of how we got where we are, but we are where we are, sir. And it would be unwise beyond belief for the United States of America to leave a failed Iraq in its wake. And I want the Americans out, and so do Americans want —

DAUM: No you don't. You say, "Stay the course," senator.

KERRY: Let me just finish. Stay the course of leaving a stable Iraq.

KERRY: If you don't leave a stable Iraq with a legitimacy to whatever entity is going to transform the government, you have the potential for a civil war, you have the potential for Shi'a vs. Sunni vs. Kurd. There are all kinds of potentials. Let me just finish.

DAUM: They are united against the occupation.

KERRY: Yes, but... but... but the point is this, sir. You're not listening to me.

DAUM: Oh, yes, I am.

KERRY: Well, then you haven't, frankly, listened, because in fact the course that I have proposed is to you turn over to the United Nations the full responsibility for the transformation of the government and for the reconstruction.

Walter Daum, thy name is Why Kerry Fears Nader.

Lane Core Jr. CIW P — Sat. 04/17/04 09:15:16 AM
Categorized as Democrats in Self-Destruct Mode & John Kerry.