Kerry proposes bipartisan peace envoy

[sandnsea]

That's what he really did today. In case anybody cares about the truth. Unfortunately, no major media outlet reported it, so I can't link it. You would have had to watch the Q&A on C-Span to know that. Oh, and a summit of the world's religious leaders to create a plan to enlighten the world as to the true nature of Islam and create a dialogue with moderate Islamists and a way to get their message out. And a whole, whole lot more.

And this will be gone in, oh, 30 seconds. It's a dupe, don't you know.

On edit, bipartisan.

[Scott Lee]

1. Great Idea. So why he voted for the PA is beyond me.

I cannot believe he simply had no idea it would be used against Arab Muslim Americans. Sorry, that dog don't hunt.

[sandnsea]

13. Pssst... nobody cares about that vote

They just care about who is going to fix it. Kerry already is. Dean mumbles. This is a LONG way from over cupcake.

[ima_sinnic]

16. well I care about it

don't kid yourself--people care about that the way they care about the IWR vote. after all, there WERE some with courage who voted against both. Dennis Kucinich comes immediately to mind. I didn't hear Kerry come to Kucinich's defense or see him take a stand on the side of truth and righteousness when people like Kucinich were being flamed, trashed, and smeared. And btw I'm a Dean supporter.

[ShimokitaJer]

35. Nobody cares about the Dems that voted for the Patriot Act?

If Kerry believes that, I'm beginning to see why he's having such a hard time making any progress.

[robbedvoter]

2. Clark's response:(James "it's a sad day for democracy"Baker

Clark Campaign Response to Senator Kerry's Fondness for James Baker
Campaign Communications Director Matt Bennett issued the following statement in response to Senator Kerry's comments today at the Council on Foreign Relations:

"Senator Kerry's suggestion that he might use Bush family consigliere James Baker as a special envoy to the Middle East is offensive. Baker, who was the driving force behind George W. Bush's theft of the 2000 election in the Florida recount, helped to disenfranchise thousands of voters.

We liked it better when Senator Kerry was calling Baker's Florida operation 'thuggism.' If Kerry wants a former Secretary of State who headed a recount effort in Florida, let's stay away from political thugs and go with Warren Christopher."

[sandnsea]

6. I bet he just read the reports

Once he understands everything that was said, I suspect he will think it's a good idea. As Kerry said, There is no place for partisanship when we're talking about peace in the Middle East. Some things really are more important than the Bush Crime Family.

[Kahuna]

18. How can Baker be trusted? No doubt, Baker's machinations..

have some input into the problems in the ME today.

[blm]

20. He used it to illustrate that even Bush1 worked at Mideat peace

and used the name associated with those peace initiatives. I hate that he used Baker's name to make the point that Bush2 has been inept, but, I understand the point. And real conservatives will, too.

It's not like Kerry praised Bush1 for his "excellent" foreign policy like Dean did on Hardball. Or praised Colin Powell as a great Sec. of State for any president like Dean did on Hardball.

btw...wasn't it Baker who pushed Bush1's foreign policy? Does that mean Dean was actually praising BAKER for foreign policy? Kerry was fighting most of Bush1's foreign policy in Congress and only gave nods to their peace efforts in the Mideast in his speech.

[Hep]

23. While you're thinking out loud

think about Kerry actually considering Bush I as part of this group. Uh, you're soaking in it.

[blm]

26. He isn't. He's using it to redirect focus on Bush2's failures.

Kerry has been pushing for Clinton to do it for two years. Kerry was getting the attention of those conservatives who PERCEIVED the former Bush administration to have responsible policies, at least in the Mideast.

But, Dean said Bush1's foreign policy is "excellent" and Powell is a great Sec. of State. It seems Kerry was fighting most of Bush1's policies during that time and only agreed with the efforts for peace in the Mideast that Bush2 bungled.

[Kahuna]

30. Bush 1, best buds with OBL and Saddam ain't exactly

a savvy cherce either. :eyes:

[Forkboy]

3. There are far better Repubs to choose if he's interested in bipartisonship

He's running out of feet to shoot.

[paulk]

4. Are there?

I'm no fan of Mr. Baker, but he is one of our most experienced (and respected) diplomats when it comes to the Middle East. He is liked by the Palestinians for standing up to Isreal during Poppy's reign. His efforts in the part of the world have been praised by Republicans and Democrats alike.

[Kahuna]

31. So why is the middle east such a mess if he is so good?

don't believe the hype.

[JI7]

5. baker helped get peace process started

this is why baker's name came up. it wasn't just out of nowhere. kerry knows these things. he knows of bakers involvement in helping to start peace process there. i do n't like baker, but the israel/palestine peace process was the one (probably only) thing he did that was positive.

[robbedvoter]

7. Can't tell you how hated Baker is in the ME! By both sides!!!!

Saudis love him though - he'll shot them 9.11 families who's the boss! yeay, kerry! Consistent too: crying in my tea cup over the stolen election here (see my handle) I LOVE MY GUY - CLARK!!!!

[sandnsea]

9. He mentioned it

Said he was aware there were problems with Baker in the ME, but it takes people who have relations with all parties involved; even the Saudis. A bipartisan envoy could be just the thing to work.

[sandnsea]

8. He chose several

Not just Baker, he mentioned Skowcroft and Eagleburger. The point wasn't just to name Republicans anyway. It was to reach back to people in different administrations who had some success; and I suspect more importantly, to draw a distinct line between traditional Republicans and Bush's neocons. Those names did that as well. The Q&A part was even better than the speech. If they post it on CFR in the next day or two, I'll post it. In the mean time, here's some fun:

http://www.rollingstone.com/features/nationalaffairs/featuregen.asp?pid=2454

[JI7]

10. yes it was

why not mention of the other names kerry mentioned ? is it because then it would have actually been put into context and one could see he was comparing past administration efforts for peace in the area with the current one ?

[sandnsea]

11. Translation

The prepared remarks vs. the speech he gave. The prepared remarks didn't make his point as clear, the actual speech really did. Especially with the Q&A afterwards. It was really amazing, had me in tears to think what a brilliant leader we could have if people had the attention span to watch a speech like that. I keep up my hope that people will just stop and think.

[ima_sinnic]

15. okay, one of the other names mentioned was *George Bush Sr.*

Way to go, John. Hello, kissing the BFEE's butt much? I mean, c'mon, the head don???

For the sake of a bipartisan committee, certainly there must be SOME repuke somewhere who is NOT part of the BFEE. But apparently extinguishing that evil entity from the seat of power is not high in Kerry's list of priorities--or anywhere on that list. As much as I detest divisive Democrats who speak poorly of the candidates, in Kerry's case I have to question the sanity of anyone who would even remotely consider supporting him.

[sangh0]

19. Both GHWB and Colin Powell have been praised by Dem candidates

including the one who represents the Democratic "wing". So who are you supporting?

[ima_sinnic]

24. praise is one thing; announcing they will be part of his admin--

NEVER. I support Dean and I can tell you you will never hear him announce that he will choose any compadre of the BFEE for his staff, cabinet, or any other position in his administration.

[sangh0]

25. I love the Karnak routine

but excuse me if I doubt your predictions about the future.

[blm]

27. Kerry didn't SAY that, why pretend he did?

He said he would CONSIDER sending Baker as part of a team. Baker was part of a peace process effort in the Mideast. The only policy that anyone can agree he made some good efforts.

OTOH, Dean praised Bush1 and his foreign policy as "excellent" and it was BAKER who pursued that policy Dean praised. He also said that Powell would be great in ANY administration. Powell is as BFEE as it gets.

You want to attack Kerry for saying he'd CONSIDER Baker as part of a bipartisan team? Look in your own guy's backyard. He even refused to stand against Reagan and Bush's illegal wars in Central America that Kerry spent years EXPOSING.

[ima_sinnic]

34. if you will look above (#15?) you will see I said "CONSIDER"

yes, I fault Kerry for even CONSIDERING including the BFEE in his administration!
Kerry "exposed" Bush's illegal wars in Central America yet he would CONSIDER having him be a Mideast envoy. as in working with the dude, depending on him, getting counsel from him, entrusting him with power and repsonsiblity--yet he knows he is a murderous criminal. . . whatever . . . just keep telling yourself there really couldn't possibly be anything wrong with this picture . . .

on edit: my bad, I said "consider" in some other thread. but my point is, how can he even CONSIDER him?

[Kahuna]

33. Exactly. Bush, Sr. is the Don of the BFEE mafia gang..

I have lost all faith in Kerry after this.

Clark may be a "freshly minted Democrat" as Kerry pointed out. But at least he is on to the bushistas.

[Kahuna]

32. Kerry still trust repukes after the IWR? He's toast. He ..

doesn't get it yet. They're all in it together. Why does he think the ME is in the mess it's in now? Because of those same guys he wants to trust "fix" it now. Whadda laugh. Kerry has proven that he is totally clueless.

[NewYorkerfromMass]

12. The Sunday talking heads will notice

and next week it will get more discussion. This brilliant move will pay off for Kerry down the road.

[robbedvoter]

14. Robbedvoter response (with fun poll attached)

http://robbedvoter.forclark.com/story/2003/12/4/54431/1674

[ima_sinnic]

17. just looked at your poll--you need "all of the above" as a choice

--and Baker was there for Iran-Contra. BFEE sub-don. Kerry's plan to keep the same old criminals in power while making himself appear to be a big-hearted "bipartisan" guy is appalling.

[Hep]

21. Yeah, uh, so who's fault is that exactly?

Why didn't Kerry issue a press release? That's how you get press.

[sangh0]

22. It couldn't be the media's fault!!!

The liberal media elites bend over backwards to help their fellow liberals.

[knowledgeispower]

28. There is NO excuse for courting Baker

I said it in another thread and I'll say it again here:

Baker may not be the anti-Christ himself, but he certainly works for him!

[blm]

29. True. But Kerry is not courting him. He used his name to focus

conservatives on the failures of Bush2 on Mideast matters. He was appealing to their former pride on pushing peace efforts. Kerry has been pushing for Clinton to be a special envoy to the Mideast for over two years, and Clinton told Kerry he would do it already.

Throwing Baker's name out there because of his former peace efforts was just a bone. I don't like the name on the bone, but, it was just a bone.