I realize that this thread is not only about Iraq, but what do you Kerry voters think of the following?
http://www.lewrockwell.com/spectator/spec270.html
My own opinion on the current situation in Iraq has softened a bit over the past year but one thing I have maintained all the time: get the occupying troops outta there - GET OUT, OR GET KICKED OUT. Judged on this issue, Kerry has been consistently worse than Bush (calling for more troops etc.)
My initial thought is…hm, maybe Kerry isn’t so bad after all. At least as far as this aspect goes, if your cite is accurate and if Kerry really feels this way, he seems to align pretty well with me. If his thoughts on trade and the economy were closer to what I consider important, I’d probably vote for him. As it is, maybe Kerry as president won’t be as bad as what I was thinking…
-XT
We probably do need more troops in Iraq if we want to maintain order. As much as many liberals (and most Iraqis for that matter) want us the hell out of there, it would be irresponsible to just suddenly leave.
I am tempted to respond to the second part of this statement (not surprisingly, I disagree) but I guess that’s a matter for a different thread.
However, the bolded part is interesting. If this is a fair description of " many liberals’ " position (and it does seem that way) then I would expect a more negative view or Kerry. Or is it really a matter of holding one’s nose ?
Well, personally, I don’t think it is. What I want is that we learn from our mistakes so this sort of thing doesn’t happen again. But, I pretty much subscribe to Colin Powell’s point-of-view as reported in the press in regards to Woodward’s book (I don’t think it is necessarily an exact quote): “You broke it, you own it.” I think it would be irresponsible for the U.S. to cut-and-run now and would insure that the worst outcomes come to pass. On the other hand, I do think we should as much as possible try to turn over sovereignty to the Iraqis as quickly as feasible and to get the U.N. involved …although I wouldn’t blame many of the nations there from not wanting to touch this with a ten-foot pole. And, realistically, the U.S. is probably the only country that I can envision playing a major role that has enough troops to (try to) manage the situation there.
It would also be nice if Bush were to explain that he is increasing the top income tax rate back up some so that the war gets paid for…And, by those most able rather than least able to afford it.
As long as he keeps his wars to valid and justified ones (none of this cherry-picking of intelligence data crap), that’s okay by me.
It’s like most martial arts – don’t go out and start a fight, but don’t hesitate to stop one if you’re being attacked.
As one of those fence sitters, I can respond. It’s hard for me to find a reason to vote for either of them. Both Have big things I disagree with, both have a problem with changing positions on issues and I don’t particulary like either.
However, I don’t have the “Hate Bush” reason that many do. That may be inexplicable to many, or proof of any number of perceptions about myself(few of them good), I have yet to see anything that has caused me to hate the man.
Noam Chomsky throws hat in ring…
Let’s just say it’s not an unheard of viewpoint amongst leftist thinkers. Editorial Columnist Ted Rall, for instance (Cut and Run Now). Ohio Congressman Dennis Kucinich also advocates getting our troops home.
Someone on the board in another thread said he would vote for something scraped off his shoe before he would vote for Bush.
He expressed my sentiments exactly.
I was a Dean supporter, but Kerry is just fine with me.
What could Kerry do to change my vote?
Hmmm…
Kerry could break into my house, steal my credit cards, rape my SO and take my car and I would still vote for him over Bush.
So I guess the answer is, nothing.
to paraphrase the archaic (and originally homophobic formulation), they could find him in bed with a live sheep or a dead girl…
Hey, what’s wrong with Chomsky? 
that was my answer to what it would take to put me off kerry. For that matter, I supose if Bob Dylan threw his hat in the ring, that’d work too. Or Warren Beatty.
Anyone with a heart and half a brain who can get elected.
And a pulse.
Hat size fifteen and three-eighths. Outside of that, nothing.
sure.
but in Noam’s case, the hat size is required because of the large brain cavity.
I first thought you meant that Chomsky had thrown hat in ring.
These guys at the World Socialist Web Site (fav site of mine) are mightly critical of Chomsky (more accurately, of Chomsky’s support for Kerry). Also worth reading is their replies to their critics.
Assuming that noam fails on item 3 of my criteria, (electability), could we rush through the Swarzeneggar Amendment, so Teresa can run for Prez–she
's way cooler than John.,
(kinda like Linda Edwards is a serious credit to John… I only saw her once or twice, but she could well be the brains of the Edwards family…)
Don’t know the site, but kerry is appalling on class issues (quelle surprize…). It is no doubt a source of great amusement in dialectical heaven that the only hope of the working class in america is guys like teddy k and john corzine…
You took the words right out of my… umm… keyboard.
It’s not that I’m going to vote for Kerry, I’m voting AGAINST Bush with the person most likely to beat him. If I thought Ralph would have a chance, he’d get my vote. Hell, if I thought Mel Carnahan* had a chance at the Presidency I’d be voting for him.
*If you don’t recall, Mel Carnahan was the dead guy who beat John Ashcroft in Missouri’s 2000 Senate race.