Cheney makes Kerry look like a fool

FrodoB

Senior member
Apr 5, 2001
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Text

Cheney Blasts Kerry on Voting Record, Claims of Foreign Support

Melanie Hunter, CNSNews.com
Wednesday, March 17, 2004

"American voters are the ones charged with determining the outcome of this election, not unnamed foreign leaders," Vice President Dick Cheney said today in response to Sen. John Kerry's claims that foreign leaders the Democrat spoke to have privately endorsed him for the presidency.

Speaking to an audience at the Ronald Reagan Library in Simi Valley, Calif., Cheney also challenged Kerry's voting record on the Iraq war, the military, and his comments on the cooperation of U.S. allies.

Kerry "is fond of mentioning some countries did not support America's actions in Iraq. Yet of the other nations that have joined our coalition, allies and friends of the United States, Senator Kerry speaks with open contempt," Cheney said.

"Great Britain, Australia, Italy, Spain, Poland and more than 20 other nations have contributed and sacrificed for the freedom of the Iraqi people," the vice president said, pointing out that Kerry calls these countries "window dressing."

"They are in his words a coalition of the coerced and the bribed," Cheney said. "How would Senator Kerry describe Great Britain - coerced or bribed? Or Italy, which recently lost 19 citizens killed by terrorists in Najaf? Was Italy's contribution just window dressing?

"If such dismissive terms are the vernacular of the golden age of diplomacy Senator Kerry promises, we are left to wonder which nations would care to join any future coalition," he said.

Kerry was challenged about his comments on the support of unnamed foreign leaders by a voter in Pennsylvania, Cheney pointed out.

"Senator Kerry said that's none of your business. But it is our business when a candidate for president claims the political endorsement of foreign leaders. At the very least, we have a right to know what he is saying to foreign leaders that makes them so supportive of his candidacy," the vice president said.

Cheney also blasted Kerry on claims the Bush administration has failed to supply body armor and other material support for the troops on the ground in Iraq. Cheney pointed out that Congress passed an $87 billion supplemental appropriation bill at the president's request, but Kerry voted against it.

Extra Serving of Waffles

"I know that yesterday, attempting to clarify the matter, Senator Kerry said 'I actually did vote for the $87 billion before I voted against it,'" Cheney said, eliciting laughter from the audience.

"On national security, the senator has shown at least one measure of consistency. Over the years, he has consistently voted against weapons systems for the military," Cheney said. "He voted against the Apache helicopter, against the Tomahawk missile, against even the Bradley fighting vehicle.

"He's also been a reliable vote against military pay increases, opposing them no fewer than 12 times. Many of these very weapons systems have been used by our forces in Iraq."

Cheney also examined Kerry's comments on the ouster of Saddam Hussein and the war in Iraq, and concluded that if Kerry were president, Saddam would still be in power today.

Cheney pointed out that Kerry was in the minority of senators who voted against the Gulf War in 1991, saying the international coalition consisted of shadow battlefield allies who barely carry a burden.

"Last year, as we prepared to liberate Iraq, he recalled that Gulf coalition a little differently. He said it was a strong coalition and a model to be followed," the vice president said.

When President Bill Clinton was in the White House and Saddam was still defying the terms of the ceasefire, Clinton, who was considering military action against Iraq, "found a true believer in John Kerry," according to Cheney.

"The senator from Massachusetts said 'should the resolve of our allies wane, the United States must not lose its resolve to take action,'" said Cheney. "He further warned that if Saddam Hussein were not held to account for violation of U.N. resolutions, some future conflict would have greater consequence."

Cheney said Kerry indicated his support for regime change in 1998, with ground troops if necessary, and even voted in October 2002 to authorize military action against Saddam if the dictator refused to comply with the resolutions.

Cheney said a neutral observer looking at Kerry's voting record on Iraq and his public support for past military action against Saddam Hussein, if necessary, means Kerry supported the war in Iraq.

"The senator himself now, tells us otherwise. In January he was asked on TV if he was 'one of the anti-war candidates.' He replied, 'I am.' He now says he was voting only to 'threaten the use of force, not actually use force,'" Cheney said.

"Even if we set aside these inconsistencies and changing rationales, at least this much is clear: Had the decision belonged to Senator Kerry, Saddam Hussein would still be power today in Iraq. In fact, Saddam would almost certainly still be in control of Kuwait," the vice president said.
 

CaptnKirk

Lifer
Jul 25, 2002
10,053
0
71
No, Cheney made Cheney look like a fool in the way he distorted the facts with his partisan attack.
He still knows that we'll find the WMD there as soon as Haliburton finishes planting them.

Let's see - Cheney is fighting in court to keep from revealing the circle of thieves that he made
energy policy with, so he has a lot of room to talk as to who should reveal what to whom.

The reporter that broke the story, recanted the story, and stated that when he rushed it to the deadline
it sounded like one thing, and when he reviewed it on quieted surroundings that what he had recorded
on his tape was different from what he had origanally reported, he had made a generalization, but now
the Bush League has started running with something that was not said, so now who's fabrication a tale.

Why just once don't you listen long enough to get the facts straight instead of running with any little bit
of partisan drivel that you can to try to slam Kerry, or Dean, or Daschle, or anyone who is NOT Bush ?

You really need to look at what this Bush Administration is doing, and not ignore the facts.
They are slime.

Beware the lessons of Spain - Lying Governments condem themselves to losing elections.
 

CADsortaGUY

Lifer
Oct 19, 2001
25,162
1
76
www.ShawCAD.com
Umm - no, kerry made kerry look like a fool. Cheney was just pointing it out;)

But anyway - good job Cheney:) People need to know where kerry stands, and if he won't tell them - then I guess Bush/Cheney is going to have to present his record and statements for people to see where he stands.

CkG
 

Kadarin

Lifer
Nov 23, 2001
44,296
16
81
<flame>

Kerry may be a fool, but I'd rather have him in the White House than an administration that has its own agendas that do not necessarily coincide with the best interests of the American people.

</flame>
 

SuperTool

Lifer
Jan 25, 2000
14,000
2
0
Originally posted by: FrodoB
Text

Cheney Blasts Kerry on Voting Record, Claims of Foreign Support

Melanie Hunter, CNSNews.com
Wednesday, March 17, 2004

"American voters are the ones charged with determining the outcome of this election, not unnamed foreign leaders," Vice President Dick Cheney said today in response to Sen. John Kerry's claims that foreign leaders the Democrat spoke to have privately endorsed him for the presidency.
Cheap shot, though Kerry did play into it. American voters can take global opinion of the US into account when they determine outcome of the election
Speaking to an audience at the Ronald Reagan Library in Simi Valley, Calif., Cheney also challenged Kerry's voting record on the Iraq war, the military, and his comments on the cooperation of U.S. allies.

Kerry "is fond of mentioning some countries did not support America's actions in Iraq. Yet of the other nations that have joined our coalition, allies and friends of the United States, Senator Kerry speaks with open contempt," Cheney said.

"Great Britain, Australia, Italy, Spain, Poland and more than 20 other nations have contributed and sacrificed for the freedom of the Iraqi people," the vice president said, pointing out that Kerry calls these countries "window dressing."
I guess he forgot solomon islands. Aside from US and UK, the other countries are window dressing, and as we found out in case of Spain they don't even have support of their people in some cases.
"They are in his words a coalition of the coerced and the bribed," Cheney said. "How would Senator Kerry describe Great Britain - coerced or bribed? Or Italy, which recently lost 19 citizens killed by terrorists in Najaf? Was Italy's contribution just window dressing?
Yes, and I wonder what Italians think about the war.
"If such dismissive terms are the vernacular of the golden age of diplomacy Senator Kerry promises, we are left to wonder which nations would care to join any future coalition," he said.
Cheney speaking about the golden age of diplomacy after his administration squandered the unity and support we had after 9/11 and made us one of the most distrusted and hated countries.
Kerry was challenged about his comments on the support of unnamed foreign leaders by a voter in Pennsylvania, Cheney pointed out.

"Senator Kerry said that's none of your business. But it is our business when a candidate for president claims the political endorsement of foreign leaders. At the very least, we have a right to know what he is saying to foreign leaders that makes them so supportive of his candidacy," the vice president said.
It's also of our business who writes our energy policy, but you don't see Cheney telling us. Maybe he should tell us why multinational big oil was so supportive of his candidacy.
Cheney also blasted Kerry on claims the Bush administration has failed to supply body armor and other material support for the troops on the ground in Iraq. Cheney pointed out that Congress passed an $87 billion supplemental appropriation bill at the president's request, but Kerry voted against it.
That is admission that Cheney and Bush sent the troops into Iraq without adequate body armor, since they only asked for money for body armor after the troops were fighting in Iraq. Also wasn't there a story about the military removing armor from trucks that families of soldiers provided because it was taking business away from defense contractors?
Extra Serving of Waffles

"I know that yesterday, attempting to clarify the matter, Senator Kerry said 'I actually did vote for the $87 billion before I voted against it,'" Cheney said, eliciting laughter from the audience.
Maybe they should have stuffed more Haliburton pork into the bill
"On national security, the senator has shown at least one measure of consistency. Over the years, he has consistently voted against weapons systems for the military," Cheney said. "He voted against the Apache helicopter, against the Tomahawk missile, against even the Bradley fighting vehicle.
How did he vote on the Comanche? How about Crusader? Or Osprey? SDI? Tell us Dick why we wasted billions on these programs?
"He's also been a reliable vote against military pay increases, opposing them no fewer than 12 times. Many of these very weapons systems have been used by our forces in Iraq."
And many are not, and we are still paying for them. Why didn't Republicans figure out a way to pay for these programs without borrowing trillions?
Cheney also examined Kerry's comments on the ouster of Saddam Hussein and the war in Iraq, and concluded that if Kerry were president, Saddam would still be in power today.
that is very insightful. There would also be 500 GI's alive today, though imaginary WMD's would still be pointed at us, ready to launch in 45 min
Cheney pointed out that Kerry was in the minority of senators who voted against the Gulf War in 1991, saying the international coalition consisted of shadow battlefield allies who barely carry a burden.
"Last year, as we prepared to liberate Iraq, he recalled that Gulf coalition a little differently. He said it was a strong coalition and a model to be followed," the vice president said.
These things are relative, but compared to the 2003 coalition the 1991 coalition was strong and a model to be followed.
When President Bill Clinton was in the White House and Saddam was still defying the terms of the ceasefire, Clinton, who was considering military action against Iraq, "found a true believer in John Kerry," according to Cheney.

"The senator from Massachusetts said 'should the resolve of our allies wane, the United States must not lose its resolve to take action,'" said Cheney. "He further warned that if Saddam Hussein were not held to account for violation of U.N. resolutions, some future conflict would have greater consequence."

Cheney said Kerry indicated his support for regime change in 1998, with ground troops if necessary, and even voted in October 2002 to authorize military action against Saddam if the dictator refused to comply with the resolutions.

Cheney said a neutral observer looking at Kerry's voting record on Iraq and his public support for past military action against Saddam Hussein, if necessary, means Kerry supported the war in Iraq.

"The senator himself now, tells us otherwise. In January he was asked on TV if he was 'one of the anti-war candidates.' He replied, 'I am.' He now says he was voting only to 'threaten the use of force, not actually use force,'" Cheney said.
So Kerry flip-floped because he didn't do what "neutral observer" Dick Cheney thought he would do.
"Even if we set aside these inconsistencies and changing rationales, at least this much is clear: Had the decision belonged to Senator Kerry, Saddam Hussein would still be power today in Iraq. In fact, Saddam would almost certainly still be in control of Kuwait," the vice president said.

Haliburton shareholders would be heartbroken.
 

PELarson

Platinum Member
Mar 27, 2001
2,289
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0
Originally posted by: CADkindaGUY

First thing I see when I click your link?

Did Kerry Vote "No" on Body Armor for Troops?
03.16.2004
Yes, along with $87 billion worth of other things.

And you call FrodoB "gullible"? :p

CkG

Gullible isn't doing your own research into a question. Who you support after that is your own decision!

Did you bother to read the article?
 

CaptnKirk

Lifer
Jul 25, 2002
10,053
0
71
Why bother with little triva like reading ?
He just looked at the picture and it was enough for him.
 

CADsortaGUY

Lifer
Oct 19, 2001
25,162
1
76
www.ShawCAD.com
Originally posted by: CaptnKirk
Why bother with little triva like reading ?
He just looked at the picture and it was enough for him.

PELarson did? I'm sure he did think it was enough for him.

The point still stands - kerry voted AGAINST it. You can try to spin and dodge your way around it but in no uncertain terms -when it came time to vote to fund those two missions - kerry voted AGAINST them. Unless you believe that kerry voted for it before he voted against it.:p

CkG
 

Zebo

Elite Member
Jul 29, 2001
39,398
19
81
Ya that was really stupid to say. What could it possibly have gained him? Even if he mentions who said it? But without that it looks totally neener neener 5-year-old-ish.
 

CADsortaGUY

Lifer
Oct 19, 2001
25,162
1
76
www.ShawCAD.com

NonSequiter

Member
Feb 3, 2004
74
0
0
Cheney makes Kerry look like a fool

I don't know about all that, Kerry wasn't even there to make look like a fool. Kerry is lucky in that he'll have the chance to think about what he's going to say in response and should do okay.

If this were a debate, however, i think Kerry would be in trouble. Cheney is probably one of the best politicians in the debating forum in a long, long time. He's far too witty and cagey in that setting and would mop the floor with Kerry. Kerry wouldn't have the time to think about and frame his responses well and Dick would make him look like a fool repeatedly throughout. Look at what happened to Lieberman in the '00 debates, and IMHO Kerry isn't any better or worse a debater than Lieberman is.
 

CaptnKirk

Lifer
Jul 25, 2002
10,053
0
71
Kerry voted on whatever bill was persented, sometimes it was for - if there was merit,
and sometimes against if it was loaded up with partisan bullshit and pork.
Rightly so. Bush dosen't even vote on anything,
Cheney only votes in tiebrealers to preserve the partisan line.

Now if they want to make an issue of Kerry's voting record, anyone with half a brain
can read the entire bill and see what was really there. I no longe feel that there is
any credibility in the Bush Administration ass they have yet to present any truthful facts.
Their method is lies, deceit, paranoia, and appease a small and dwindling party base.

What you don't seem to get through your skulls is that I am a lifelong Republican,
I was in the Military, and I understand how this country is SUPPOSED to work.
It's not working, as the GOP has changed what they stand for and I will not
support their current narrowminded extreme right agenda. It's wrong.
It's a death sentance for our country and democracy in the eyes of the world.
 

Zebo

Elite Member
Jul 29, 2001
39,398
19
81
What you don't seem to get through your skulls is that I am a lifelong Republican,
I was in the Military, and I understand how this country is SUPPOSED to work.
It's not working, as the GOP has changed what they stand for and I will not
support their current narrowminded extreme right agenda. It's wrong.
It's a death sentance for our country and democracy in the eyes of the world.
--------------
I hear a lot of guys saying that.
 

Loralon

Member
Oct 10, 1999
132
0
0
Originally posted by: CADkindaGUY
Originally posted by: CaptnKirk
Why bother with little triva like reading ?
He just looked at the picture and it was enough for him.

PELarson did? I'm sure he did think it was enough for him.

The point still stands - kerry voted AGAINST it. You can try to spin and dodge your way around it but in no uncertain terms -when it came time to vote to fund those two missions - kerry voted AGAINST them. Unless you believe that kerry voted for it before he voted against it.:p

CkG

As is his style, I think Kerry just voted foragainst the $87 billion authorization. :) Also, what is PELarson's point? I did manage to read through that article and well what do you know, Kerry voted against it.
 

conjur

No Lifer
Jun 7, 2001
58,686
3
0
You all love glossing over the TRUTH. Kerry wanted Bush to restore some of the tax cuts before he would vote for the $87 billion authorization bill. Kerry was exhibiting fiscal responsibility.

Bush's FY2005 budget is looking at an approximately $500 billion deficit!!
 

Genesys

Golden Member
Nov 10, 2003
1,536
0
0
Originally posted by: Astaroth33
<flame>

Kerry may be a fool, but I'd rather have him in the White House than an administration that has its own agendas that do not necessarily coincide with the best interests of the American people.

</flame>

dont confuse your interests with those of the rest of America.
 
Mar 18, 2004
339
0
0
I am a huge Kerry fan, most of Bush's accusation's toward Kerry are of false origins. When Bush criticizes Kerry for "flip flopping" on various programs and acts. Let us all know that Kerry was lied to and heard that the patriot act was going to be brought about another way than what Bush had told everyone ; and No Child left Behind was underfunded by 9 billion dollars. That is why Kerry is so pissed off at Bush for being such an idiot..

If you want a President who lost nearly 3million jobs (worst since Herbert Hoover)
Worst medicare/healthcare system to date
Tax cuts for the wealthy
Gets a nation into war over his own personal agenda
and don't forget the man has an IQ of 91
Then be an idiot, Vote Bush

C'mon do you people realize that under this very administration Bush/Cheny don't even believe that Global Warming is a problem or even exists, they should be shot.

Otherwise your man is Kerry...

Kerry will own Bush on the issues; this I am sure of
W00T