Kerry Seeks Shift Amid War Funds Request

[Nicholas_J]

By RON FOURNIER
The Associated Press
Monday, September 8, 2003; 10:52 PM


WASHINGTON - Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry said Monday he would not support President Bush's $87 billion request for Iraq and Afghanistan without a dramatic shift in White House policies.




"I'm not going to vote for an open-ended ticket," Kerry told The Associated Press. He said Bush should get more foreign troops into Iraq and use oil revenues to help pay for reconstruction before Americans are forced to foot the bill. Kerry said the United States cannot abandon the Persian Gulf nation.

In a wide-ranging interview, the Massachusetts senator said Democratic rival Howard Dean, a former governor of Vermont, lacks foreign policy experience in a post-Sept. 11 period that demands it.

"We've seen governors come to Washington who don't have the experience with Washington and they get in trouble real fast. And they don't have the experience in foreign policy, and they get in trouble pretty fast," Kerry said. "Look at Ronald Reagan. Look at Jimmy Carter and now, obviously, George Bush."

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A45641-2003Sep8.html

[searchingforlight]

1. And what about Bill Clinton - - -

Actually Jimmy Carter's problems were directly related to his "not business as usual" approach. The powers that be couldn't stand it.

I have really liked Kerry up until recently. He has been in my top choices. I will still vote for him if he wins the nomination but I must tell you that his "anti" rhetoric is wearing me out.