Huffington Blog: Tom Hayden on Kerry speech

[Mass]

A rather positive take on Kerry's speech by Hayden. Interesting. It is not an endorsement, but a positive take and the beginning of a dialogue and a call to other senators to propose their own plan or support Kerry's.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/tom-hayden/support-for-kerry-speech_b_9632.html

Support for Kerry speech
READ MORE: Iraq, 2006, George W. Bush

RESPONSE TO JOHN KERRY GEORGETOWN SPEECH THIS WEEK

I think the Kerry speech is a good step, especially in the context of the appalling silence of other Senate Democrats. It is an anti-war speech that contains a more detailed alternative than yet elaborated. It will not satisfy “out now” advocates but at least it says “out soon”.
The defense of dissent as patriotic is a nice addition. The demand for 20,000 troops out by Christmas is excellent and will prevent Bush from taking total credit if it happens.

...

What has been proposed are “benchmarks” for US senators. We should demand that the Democratic Senate bloc respond to the Kerry speech with their own ideas for an exit strategy, or sign on as supporters. I would hope that Sen. Kerry keeps giving and elaborating this speech as a year-long effort.

[blm]

1. Please post in GD, Mass....Kerry's plan is the most doable plan out there

and even staunch antiwar lefties recognize this.

[Mass]

3. Just posted on GDP.

[sandnsea]

2. That's pretty good from Tom Hayden

He is really the only genuine "out now" public figure out there. The rest say "out now", but when you read more of their plans or statements, they mean a plan that considers Iraq security, elections and reconstruction as well. Hayden has always meant exactly what he said, end the war. So for him to support Kerry in any way is good. I did post a comment that Kerry has said we have to say no bases, get the reconstruction out of the hands of Halliburton, etc.; we'll see if they post it.

[JI7]

4. it really is something

i wonder if he feels a certain connection to Kerry based on their activism in their younger days.

does anyone know if they knew each other then ?

[kerrygoddess]

5. Impressive...

I really Tom Hayden a lot. Glad to see that. I posted about this and some of the other reactions here - http://blog.thedemocraticdaily.com/?p=970

I think the liberal blogosphere could have gotten over themselves and done better with support of this. It's significant that Hayden posted this and very good start. My friend who is involved with PDA and knows Hayden well was very pleased (because my friend is firm Kerry supporter, too).