# What happened to John Kerry **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [February 28, 2014, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happened-to-john-kerry/682557 "2014-02-28T23:49:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Sam\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Sam\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sam_Stone)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2014, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happened-to-john-kerry/682557/21 "2014-03-02T00:18:06Z")
This is how Kerry explains his vote against the use of force in 1991: “I did indeed vote the way I voted in 1991. I thought we ought to kick Saddam Hussein out of Iraq. I said so on the floor of the Senate. But with the memories of Vietnam, I also thought we ought to take a couple of months more to build the support in the country.” - From an interview with Chris Wallace during the 2004 election cycle. Now… I guess we can give him the benefit of the doubt and say he meant to say kick Saddam out of Kuwait, not Iraq. Either way, the current John Kerry claims that he wanted military action against Saddam in both 2003 and in 1991, and he just wanted more time in 1991 to build up support within Iraq. But that makes me think that he was actually claiming that he wanted to depose Saddam in 1991, otherwise the need to build up support within Iraq makes no sense. Either way, he has personally backed away from his 1991 vote against military intervention. And in the late 1990’s he was considered one of the more hawkish Democrats, and called for substantial strikes against Saddam - in his words, “not just a few symbolic cruise missiles.” ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2014, 12:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happened-to-john-kerry/682557/22 "2014-03-02T00:29:14Z")
> [@Sam\_Stone](#): > > This is how Kerry explains his vote against the use of force in 1991: > > “I did indeed vote the way I voted in 1991. I thought we ought to kick Saddam Hussein out of Iraq. I said so on the floor of the Senate. But with the memories of Vietnam, I also thought we ought to take a couple of months more to build the support in the country.” There wasn’t strong support in the US for that war? ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2014, 1:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happened-to-john-kerry/682557/23 "2014-03-02T01:27:34Z")
> [@slowlearner](#): > > [http://news.antiwar.com/2014/02/27/kerry-rails-against-new-isolationism-among-americans/](http://news.antiwar.com/2014/02/27/kerry-rails-against-new-isolationism-among-americans/) > I take great pleasure from being other than rational. Doesn’t it strike you as odd that this one time antiwar hero has become just another bloodthirsty old man? As Cormac McCarthy noted, “Young men love war, and old men love that in them.” John Kerry was a decorated military officer. He was never a pacifist. He was against the Vietnam War because it was a bad war. ---
**Author:** ![koufax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/7ea924/32.png) [@koufax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/koufax)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2014, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happened-to-john-kerry/682557/24 "2014-03-02T01:40:17Z")
“and he once was a warrior hippie who threw, sort of, his combat decorations over the White House fence” I watched a video about Kerry, and sure enough, as all the others actually threw their medals, you could see him pretend to throw his, but they never left his hands. ---
**Author:** ![Cheshire\_Human](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/5f8ce5/32.png) [@Cheshire\_Human](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheshire_Human)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2014, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happened-to-john-kerry/682557/25 "2014-03-02T01:58:52Z")
He’s just a typical politician. It’s in the bible: 1 Corinthians 9:22 … I have become all things to all men, that I might gain some votes. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2014, 9:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happened-to-john-kerry/682557/26 "2014-03-02T09:37:48Z")
> [@slowlearner](#): > > I take great pleasure from being other than rational. Then why should anyone waste their time listening to you? ---
**Author:** ![andros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e480ec/32.png) [@andros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/andros)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2014, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happened-to-john-kerry/682557/27 "2014-03-02T18:34:58Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > There wasn’t strong support in the US for that war? In 1991? Nope. ---
**Author:** ![Mr\_Quatro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/bc8723/32.png) [@Mr\_Quatro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr_Quatro)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2014, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happened-to-john-kerry/682557/28 "2014-03-02T21:07:27Z")
> [@Claverhouse](#): > > And perhaps his views on just wars have become more nuanced through his long friendship with his colleague ( co-sponsoring bills even ) and fellow veteran John McCain; not to mention Mr. Obama’s vigorous defence of, and admiration of, America’s involvement in Vietnam. Is it too much trouble to add a simile :):D:rolleyes:🆒 ---
**Author:** ![WillFarnaby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/willfarnaby/32/514_2.png) [@WillFarnaby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WillFarnaby)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2014, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happened-to-john-kerry/682557/29 "2014-03-02T21:43:23Z")
He was a murderer then. When he couldn’t murder anymore, he continued his sociopathic lifestyle by getting as much attention as he could, and turning that into raw political power. Now he seeks to murder people on a much larger scale. Nothing happened. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2014, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happened-to-john-kerry/682557/30 "2014-03-02T22:11:51Z")
> [@slowlearner](#): > > I take great pleasure from being other than rational. Many do. At least there’s something to be said for being self-conscious of it. I think. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2014, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happened-to-john-kerry/682557/31 "2014-03-02T22:12:32Z")
> [@](#): > > He was a murderer then. When he couldn’t murder anymore, he continued his sociopathic lifestyle by getting as much attention as he could, and turning that into raw political power. Now he seeks to murder people on a much larger scale… A smilie won’t help this post, it requires a starky, which we don’t have. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2014, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happened-to-john-kerry/682557/32 "2014-03-02T22:15:08Z")
> [@andros](#): > > In 1991? Nope. Got cite? ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2014, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happened-to-john-kerry/682557/33 "2014-03-02T22:18:13Z")
> [@magellan01](#): > > A) The Botox is leaching into his brain. > > B) He’s just a lying piece of shit politician who will do and say anything if he thinks it’ll help him in the polls. > > C) A and B. > [@BrokenBriton](#): > > Just showing his true colours; say and do anything that serves ambition. What polls? What ambition? Do you really think he’ll ever run for another office? ---
**Author:** ![andros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e480ec/32.png) [@andros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/andros)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2014, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happened-to-john-kerry/682557/34 "2014-03-03T02:18:04Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > Got cite? Eh. Depends on what you consider “strong support.” [From the NYTimes](http://www.nytimes.com/1991/01/22/us/war-in-the-gulf-public-opinion-poll-finds-deep-backing-while-optimism-fades.html): > [@](#): > > Before the war, the country was evenly split between attacking and waiting for the economic sanctions to have more impact. After we got involved, of course, popular support rose sharply (as did the President’s approval ratings), but prior to engagement I can’t say that there was a full-throated push for liberating Kuwait. . ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2014, 3:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happened-to-john-kerry/682557/35 "2014-03-03T03:08:08Z")
> [@andros](#): > > Eh. Depends on what you consider “strong support.” > > [From the NYTimes](http://www.nytimes.com/1991/01/22/us/war-in-the-gulf-public-opinion-poll-finds-deep-backing-while-optimism-fades.html): > > . Funny, that’s a lot more support than there was for invading Iraq when he voted for that AUMF in 2002. Sounds like after-the-fact justification for his “no” vote in 1991 to me. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2014, 4:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happened-to-john-kerry/682557/36 "2014-03-03T04:46:38Z")
Two different votes, two different spins. The Kuwait incursion was to liberate the poor downtrodden Kuwaitis from the yoke of Saddam, and bones about it were not made. Allegedly, the AUMF was supposed to strengthen GeeDubya’s negotiating position for diplomatic advantage, in pursuit of a peaceful solution. Most of us knew he was a lying sack, but you will recall there were those amongst us who didn’t. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2014, 4:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happened-to-john-kerry/682557/37 "2014-03-03T04:49:15Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > Two different votes, two different spins. The Kuwait incursion was to liberate the poor downtrodden Kuwaitis from the yoke of Saddam, and bones about it were not made. Allegedly, the AUMF was supposed to strengthen GeeDubya’s negotiating position for diplomatic advantage, in pursuit of a peaceful solution. Most of us knew he was a lying sack, but you will recall there were those amongst us who didn’t. It was either political, or he’s stupid. I don’t think he’s stupid. ---
**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2014, 5:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happened-to-john-kerry/682557/38 "2014-03-03T05:02:30Z")
John Kerry is no different than any other politician that licks his finger, sticks it into the wind and decides “Ah, that’s the way the winds are blowing…better set sail in that direction” ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2014, 5:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happened-to-john-kerry/682557/39 "2014-03-03T05:55:17Z")
> [@FoieGrasIsEvil](#): > > John Kerry is no different than any other politician that licks his finger, sticks it into the wind and decides “Ah, that’s the way the winds are blowing…better set sail in that direction” Yeah, I did not mean to imply that he was worse than any of the lot of them. It’s just that he’s the guy in the news theses days. ---
**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2014, 6:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happened-to-john-kerry/682557/40 "2014-03-03T06:44:48Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > Yeah, I did not mean to imply that he was worse than any of the lot of them. It’s just that he’s the guy in the news theses days. **throws SDMB Veteran medals over the 4Chan fence** [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happened-to-john-kerry/682557.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-happened-to-john-kerry/682557.md?page=3)