Will there be a debate on the war at the Democratic Convention?

[Classical_Liberal]

When Kerry Was Liberal
by Ruth Conniff

........But if the old John Kerry scored a lot of liberal points, the new John Kerry, the National Journal points out, was "especially moderate in his second term when it came to foreign policy issues." He voted for missile defense and intelligence spending legislation opposed by his Democratic colleagues. As Kerry likes to brag on the campaign trail, he endorsed sixteen out of nineteen military budget increases during his time in the Senate. Kerry's pro-military record is particularly galling to one of his constituents, John Bonifaz, the founder and director of the National Voting Rights Institute. Bonifaz even explored running against Kerry from the left in 2001, but decided not to when September 11 eclipsed his platform of economic and social justice.

Bonifaz was a young campaign staffer for Ted Kennedy in 1988. "I was not of the view that no one in the U.S. Senate was carrying the torch for progressive fights. There were some people, Senator Kennedy being one, Paul Wellstone being one." But Kerry, in Bonifaz's view, was no ally of progressives. His biggest beef with Kerry now is his support of the principle that Bush did not have to consult Congress again before invading Iraq--the subject of a lawsuit Bonifaz is pressing against the Administration.

Like most liberals and progressives, Bonifaz wants to see Kerry beat Bush. That raises the question: Why criticize him now?

"For starters, I'd like to see a debate at the Democratic National Convention on where the party stands about the process of going into war," he says. "Does the party embrace the Presidents have inherent authority to invade other countries on their own volition, or does it embrace the view of the framers of the Constitutio.....

http://www.commondreams.org/views04/0423-14.htm

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

1. Fantastic idea

Let's bicker amongst ourselves at the one event that we are supposed to rally around our candidate during. Maybe we should just forfeit the election while we're at it!

[Classical_Liberal]

2. I hope the Dean/Clark and Kucinich delegates hold out as

long as possible. I think the base were intimidated into their Kerry votes and he doesn't represent their views. I don't think Conventions were just designed to rally around candidates. They were also designed to discuss issues important to the party.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

4. Clark, Dean, and Kucinich had their time to present their views

They lost. Time to start focusing on what it will take to win. 4 more years of Bush is NOT tolerable.

[Classical_Liberal]

5. They lost but if Kerry wants them he has to work for it

. Their holding out won't create for more years of Bush.

[AntiCoup2K4]

8. So 4 more years of Bush is not tolerable, but...

...4 more years of PNAC neocon fascist policy IS??

If progressive views are not spoken at this convention, I guarantee you Kerry will lose.

[JI7]

11. who has the most delegates after Kerry ?

[Classical_Liberal]

18. Collectively Clark/Kucinich/Dean have quite a few.

. They should hold out for a deal with Kerry.

[JI7]

21. but who got the most delegates after Kerry ?

[Classical_Liberal]

23. Edward, but the peace candidates have collectively probably more

.

[JI7]

24. more than Kerry ?

[Classical_Liberal]

25. NO, but they have enough to make the convention long for Kerry

.

[JI7]

26. Dean said Clark was for the iraq war

and Clark endorsed Kerry over Dean.

[JI7]

3. the debates took place during the primary campaign

and Kerry and Edwards did the best.

[Classical_Liberal]

7. Debates can also take place at conventions

if you don't like it change the rules.

[JI7]

10. debates wont be happening at the convention

even if they can

[Classical_Liberal]

13. Since you aren't in charge of that, how would you know

. Debates can and will happen when there are delegates at issue.

[JI7]

14. Kucinich, the anti war candidate said he will back Kerry at the convention

he isn't going to be debating Kerry there.

[Classical_Liberal]

17. The fact that he will back Kerry doesn't mean he won't hold out

for a deal, and given his differences with Kerry he should.

[JI7]

20. Kucinich isn't going to hold out on supporting Kerry

he said he will back kerry. he told kerry supporters he will back kerry.

[Classical_Liberal]

22. backing Kerry ultimately has nothing to do with holding onto

delegates for a better deal though. That is why Dean is telling his delegates to hold on.

[AntiCoup2K4]

12. Fuck changing the rules.

If these neocons and neocon sympathizers don't want to debate the issues, let them join the Republican party instead of destroying ours.

[JI7]

15. there were many debates during the primary campaign

there might have been debates if nobody got enough delegates by the time of the convention to get the nomination. but that is not the case.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

27. So anyone who doesn't agree with you

is a neocon and PNAC member? Very cute indeed... :eyes:

[AntiCoup2K4]

28. Don't put words in my mouth. I never said anything close to that.

[zulchzulu]

6. Will there be a time machine there?

Perhaps we could have a time machine on the stage and have candidates then go back in time to January, 2003 and then um..., yuh...

Karl Rove would just love to have the Democrats whining about the IWR vote and make that the takeaway for people who are just getting interested in the election.

Perfect!

Let's get vets that think Kerry was "anti-American" when he protested the Vietnam war on stage too.

Invite Nader on stage while we're at it.

[Classical_Liberal]

9. Oh bs. Nader and those particular vets are dems.

.

[quinnox]

16. I would put the odds at close to zero

Most likely all the Dems will speak in glowing terms about Kerry, including Dean.

Dean seems to be promoting Kerry quite a bit lately, so it doesn't make sense that he would suddenly put up a fight at the convention.


It would be stupid to have a debate that would divide the party at an event that is supposed to be a united front.

[Classical_Liberal]

19. Dean is also sending out newsletters telling his delegates to hold

out.

[mdguss]

29. Let Joe Speak, Let Joe Speak:

I can hear the Jomentum for Liebermania now. Actually, I think it'd be good if they let Lieberman and Dean speak on the same night--it'd show a unified party.