Democratic platform raps Bush, draws fire

[Freddie Stubbs]

Democrats from around the country have gathered in Broward County to debate their party's campaign platform.

BY LESLEY CLARK

[e-mail]


PARTY STANCES

As Democrats from around the country arrived in South Florida on Friday to put the finishing touches on a party platform that takes President Bush to task for what it calls a ''dangerously ineffective disregard for the world,'' critics from both sides lined up to take shots at the document.

Republicans suggested that the platform seeks to mask what they said is Kerry's liberal voting record in the U.S. Senate, while progressives urged platform writers to call for an end to the war in Iraq -- or risk alienating antiwar activists who want an exit strategy and an admission that ``it was a mistake to invade Iraq.''

STANCE ON WAR

The draft of the document -- it will be fine-tuned at a day-long hearing today at the Westin Diplomat Resort & Spa -- doesn't call for an end to the war. Nor does it suggest that the war was an error. Both Kerry and his running mate, Sen. John Edwards, voted for the war but have criticized Bush's handling of it.

''This administration went into Iraq without a plan to win the peace,'' the document states, but adds, ``Having gone to war, we cannot afford to fail at peace.''

more: http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/news/state/9121920.htm?ERIGHTS=3166761753472778359miami

[Rose Siding]

1. So that's how you ask...

the last soldier to die for a mistake.

[billybob537]

2. The platform could be

Two CHEETOS in every garage and I'd vote for them.

[Bandit]

3. Saw an interesting stat on C-Span this AM about Dem Platforms

It was based on the number of pages in the platform. Over fifty pages and the Democrat lost the election. Over a hundred pages and it was a blowout against the Democrat. When Clinton won the Democratic platform had forty-six pages. Could be something to this. Short and Sweet should be the rule.

[NWHarkness]

4. Republicans disagree with the Republican platform!

Wow, that's big news.