Ted Kennedy's floor statement on Bush Administration's Iraq Policy

[Wetzelbill]

FLOOR STATEMENT OF SENATOR EDWARD M. KENNEDY ON THE ADMINISTRATION’S POLICY IN IRAQ


CONTACT: Jim Manley [phone]
I have heard many of my colleagues today discussing my remarks on this Administration's go-it-alone policy in Iraq.

This Administration and my colleagues across the aisle are trying to deflect attention away from the Administration's failed policy in Iraq.

For the sake of our troops, it's time for this Administration to speak honestly about its failures in Iraq. Many Americans share my views, and I regret that the President considers them uncivil and not in the national interest. The real action that was not in the American interest was the decision to go to war unilaterally, without the support of our allies, and without a plan to win the peace.

There's no question that this White House sees political advantage in the war. You can see it in Karl Rove's speeches to Republican strategists.

Just this morning, the New York Times reports that "the White House goal is to show substantial improvement in Iraq before next fall's reelection campaign."

And you can see it in the way they attack the patriotism of those who question them.

There are valid questions and deep concerns about the Administration's rush to war in Iraq – its rationale, whether there's a plan for winning the peace, how the money is being spent, and when our troops can come home with honor.

Our troops, their families, and the American people deserve answers, not more politics as usual.

The Administration has no plan for Iraq, and it shows. American servicemen and women are paying with their lives.

The President's trip to the United Nations this week is now the most important journey of his Administration, but it didn't have to be this way.

The situation in Iraq is out of control, and American troops are paying the price every day with their lives.

We have now lost more troops since the President declared an end to major combat than during the war itself. The Administration says it has an international coalition, but it's paper-thin. America has 85 percent of all the coalition troops on the ground, and we're taking 85 percent of the casualties.

This Administration is muddling through, day-by-day, while the lives of our soldiers are at risk and their families worry here at home.

http://kennedy.senate.gov/~kennedy/statements/03/09/2003923941.html

[MarianJack]

1. Bravo, Ted.

You addressed the moronic accusations of a moronic (and unelected) president in a much more civilized way than he could ever understand. :bounce:

I'm glad you're shining a light on kkkarl's exploitation of 9/11. I hope more Democrats continue to do so.

When I traded my '78 Pinto (what a LEMON)in 1982, the saddest part of it was that I had to say goodbye to my "Kennedy '80" bumper sticker.

[liberalmuse]

2. I called his office today...

just before I stepped into work, to thank Sen. Kennedy for his comments last Thursday. Honesty is so rare these days that it shouldn't go unrewarded. After seeing the latest, I'm glad I did!

[Wetzelbill]

3. I e-mailed and thanked him the other day

The Kennedy brothers have always been heroes of mine since I before I can even recall.

[Wwagsthedog]

4. What answers does Kay "Slur" Hutchison have for Sen. Kennedy?

How does she explain how her fellow Texan tom "national embarrasment" delay to the American people? When will other Democrats stand up with Senators Kennedy and Byrd to question the republican hypocrites about what all of us think of their lies?

[Lefty48197]

5. Give em hell Ted

you know when they start whining about how mean the Democrats are, that our criticisms have hit home. The Republicans completely botched the Iraq situation, and they know it. They don't want to talk about their failures, so they attack those that criticize them for their failings. Predictable...

[Sinistrous]

6. How refreshing and reassuring to see a politician not knuckle under

to the retrog smear machine. How wonderful to have someone parse their sick "arguments" and lay bare the rhetorical trickery of Rove, Frist, DeLay and such ilk.

Thank you, Senator Kennedy.