Taylor Marsh – TaylorMarsh.com – News, Opinion and Weblog on Progressive Politics

IRAQ and John Kerry and me

“There's nothing – nothing – in my life in public service I regret more, nothing even close. We should all be willing to say: I was wrong, I should not have voted for the Iraq War Resolution.” – Senator John Kerry

Yesterday I spent some time with John Kerry talking to him about issues, foreign
policy and Iraq. I talked to him for around 45 minutes one on one. It was an
enlightening and open discussion without any rules. It was a tough political
exchange, which he took seriously. The heartening part of the dialogue was that
he wanted to hear criticisms, as well as suggestions. He didn't flinch when
I talked about failings and places Democrats needed to do more.

Oh, and by the way, he doesn't have one DC consultant around him anymore.

Kerry also reads the blogs, loves them and went out of his way to thank me,
personally, for the work I do, but also made a point of sending the same to
others. It was sincere.

It was a rare opportunity, due to his 2006 campaign schedule. Next week he'll be campaigning for Ned Lamont. His schedule is insane until election day. Talk about getting out the vote.

One thing I spoke about yesterday on my radio show was Kerry's passionate push back on the Iraq war today and where we stand as of right now. His fury was evident
in his words, especially when he spoke about the way the Bush administration and the Republican Congress have failed the troops. His words spit out in rapid bursts on the subject.

Kerry spoke about the “immorality” of the war, but he went even further.
He stated that “The immorality of this war is more significant than
Vietnam.”

The whole Republican policy on Iraq, according to Kerry, is one of “deception,”
because “they don't tell the truth” … “they don't listen to
generals” … “Rumsfeld didn't listen,” with Kerry's blistering
critique opening on to his adamant insistence that the plan he has offered is a plan for victory. Of course, Kerry also said that Bush won't acknowledge his plan as a “full plan for victory,” because the president prefers sloganeering as the “campaigner in chief”. Kerry again
called for a “Dayton like summit” to solve the challenges we now face
in Iraq, which concerns Kerry more than anything else he's faced in public
life.

I also asked the Senator about the idea that's circulating about partitioning Iraq. Kerry was quick to respond. It's something he has talked about before, but he added that “It's possible, but the Iraqis have to be involved” and want it as bad as we do, I might add.

Here's what Senator Kerry offered yesterday on Huffington Post, because yesterday
was the 4th anniversary of the Iraq force authorization. Not very many people
acknowledged the date, but it's a moment in time that haunts the Senator, a day he will never forget.

Four years ago today, the United States Senate voted to give President Bush the authority to use force in Iraq. There's nothing – nothing – in my life in public service I regret more, nothing even close. We should all be willing to say: I was wrong, I should not have voted for the Iraq War Resolution. It's not enough to talk about the incompetence and immorality of this Administration in the conduct of this war. It is not enough to point out that we were grossly misled. But it is also not enough just to look backwards. The question today is whether leaders will take responsibility for fixing a Katrina foreign policy that kills and maims our soldiers and weakens America in the fight against terror. We must change course in Iraq. That's why I have proposed a deadline for Iraq and a comprehensive plan to end the civil war. That's why Russ Feingold and I forced a vote on it in the Senate. That's why I keep on making the case wherever I go — today in Nevada. It's why President Bush decided to single out my plan for another pathetic attack today. Well, bring it on — let's have that debate. … … Mistakes and Responsibility, by John Kerry

Oh, and by the way, we did not talk about 2008. I know you find this hard to
believe, but his focus was totally and completely on 2006 and how he can help
Democrats win seats in the House and the Senate. In fact, when he thinks about
the possibilities of Democrats taking over the Senate, the gleam in his eye
turns to fire.