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Politics.
Just say the word and you know a debate can't be far away.
That's why sites like Political Fever exist!
Visit this community to find a friendly group of people with very diverse beliefs.
You can discuss everything from the Presidential election to the war on drugs and from environmental issues to economics.
It's all there, so check it out now at PoliticalFever.org
Once upon a time, Al Gore told the truth. Watch this video on what Al Gore had to say about Saddam Hussein. And then consider what he says now.
Oh yeah. The guy is trustworthy. Hallelujah that he never became President.
Ok, so Michael Moore has had his day in the sun. Fahrenheit 911 infiltrated movie houses across America and succeeded in persuading a segment of the population with incredible distortions and outright lies. Now, the Kerry campaign and Democrats have forgotten that the First Amendment means free speech for EVERYONE. This would include Sinclair Broadcasting and their plans to air a documentary exposing John Kerry for who he really is.
The documentary is called Stolen Honor: Wounds that Never Heal. Sinclair Broadcasting owns 62 stations nationwide and will be airing this program in prime time October 21-24, 2004.
"Stolen Honor" investigates how John Kerry's actions during the Vietnam era impacted the treatment of American soldiers and POWs. Using John Kerry's own words, the documentary juxtaposes John Kerry's actions with the words of veterans who were still in Vietnam when John Kerry was leading the anti-war movement.
This documentary is going to attempt to set the record straight on John Kerry's record so that America knows the truth about a person that is running for the highest elected office in the land.
Democrats and the Kerry campaign have tried to silence Sinclair Broadcasting by initimidation and screaming "foul". Of course, they were just fine with Fahrenheit 911 being shown at the national conference of the Teacher's Union, among other places. What goes around comes around. John Kerry can try to hide from his past, but it is coming back to haunt him.
According to USA Today, these are the cities that will be able to view Stolen Honor. For those who aren't in a broadcasting city, DVDs are available from the Stolen Honor web site.
If you can't win by lying, win any way you can. Voter fraud has long been a staple of the left-wing party. Here are some links showing just how bad it is getting in the 2004 election cycle.
The American public has a very short memory. Check out these words from Democrats presidential candidate John Kerry, speaking before the Senate in September 1997...
"We must recognize that there is no indication that Saddam Hussein has any intention of relenting. So we have an obligation of enormous consequence, an obligation to guarantee that Saddam Hussein cannot ignore the United Nations. He cannot be permitted to go unobserved and unimpeded toward his horrific objective of amassing a stockpile of weapons of mass destruction. This is not a matter about which there should be any debate whatsoever in the Security Council, or, certainly, in this Nation. If he remains obdurate, I believe that the United Nations must take, and should authorize immediately, whatever steps are necessary to force him to relent--and that the United States should support and participate in those steps.
We must not presume that these conclusions automatically will be accepted by every one of our allies, some of which have different interests both in the region and elsewhere, or will be of the same degree of concern to them that they are to the U.S. But it is my belief that we have the ability to persuade them of how serious this is and that the U.N. must not be diverted or bullied."
This Time Magazine poll was taken BEFORE the President spoke at the Republican National Convention last night. I don't put a lot of stock in Time polls, but it is still nice to see people coming around.
Friday, Sep. 03, 2004
New York: For the first time since the Presidential race became a two person contest last spring, there is a clear leader, the latest TIME poll shows. If the 2004 election for President were held today, 52% of likely voters surveyed would vote for President George W. Bush, 41% would vote for Democratic nominee John Kerry, and 3% would vote for Ralph Nader, according to a new TIME poll conducted from Aug. 31 to Sept. 2. Poll results are available on TIME.com and will appear in the upcoming issue of TIME magazine, on newsstands Monday, Sept. 6.
It will be interesting to see the polls taken AFTER Bush's inspiring address to the RNC.
I love this story about rock star Alice Cooper...
Shock-rock legend Alice Cooper calls rock stars campaigning for Democrat John Kerry treasonous morons.
The 56-year-old Cooper says he was disgusted to learn the likes of Bruce Springsteen, John Mellencamp, R.E.M., Sheryl Crow, James Taylor and Dave Matthews were hitting the road for a series of concerts designed to help defeat President Bush.
"To me, that's treason," Cooper told the Canadian Press. "I call it treason against rock 'n' roll because rock is the antithesis of politics. Rock should never be in bed with politics."
"When I was a kid and my parents started talking about politics, I'd run to my room and put on the Rolling Stones as loud as I could. So when I see all these rock stars up there talking politics, it makes me sick.
"If you're listening to a rock star in order to get your information on who to vote for, you're a bigger moron than they are. Why are we rock stars? Because we're morons. We sleep all day, we play music at night and very rarely do we sit around reading the Washington Journal."
Read the rest of the story here
Rock on, Alice!
Here is a comprehensive list of Kerry's flip-flops, with documentation. It's humorous stuff, but sad when you consider how many people are actually going to vote for him.
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Flip-Flopped On Iraq War
Kerry Voted For Authorization To Use Force In Iraq. (H.J. Res. 114, CQ Vote #237: Passed 77-23: R 48-1; D 29-21; I 0-1, 10/11/02, Kerry Voted Yea.)
In First Dem Debate, Kerry Strongly Supported Presidents Action In Iraq. KERRY: George, I said at the time I would have preferred if we had given diplomacy a greater opportunity, but I think it was the right decision to disarm Saddam Hussein, and when the President made the decision, I supported him, and I support the fact that we did disarm him. (ABC News, Democrat Presidential Candidate Debate, Columbia, SC, 5/4/03)
Kerry Later Claimed He Voted To Threaten Use Of Force In Iraq. I voted to threaten the use of force to make Saddam Hussein comply with the resolutions of the United Nations. (Sen. John Kerry, Remarks At Announcement Of Presidential Candidacy, Mount Pleasant, SC, 9/2/03)
Now, Kerry Says He Is Anti-War Candidate. CHRIS MATTHEWS: Do you think you belong to that category of candidates who more or less are unhappy with this war, the way its been fought, along with General Clark, along with Howard Dean and not necessarily in companionship politically on the issue of the war with people like Lieberman, Edwards and Gephardt? Are you one of the anti-war candidates? KERRY: I am -- Yes, in the sense that I dont believe the president took us to war as he should have, yes, absolutely. (MSNBCs Hardball, 1/6/04)
Flip-Flopped On Eliminating Marriage Penalty For Middle Class
Kerry Said He Will Fight To Keep Tax Relief For Married Couples. Howard Dean and Gephardt are going to put the marriage penalty back in place. So if you get married in America, were going to charge you more taxes. I do not want to do that. (Fox News Special Report, 10/23/03)
Said Democrats Fought To End Marriage Penalty Tax. We fought hard to get rid of the marriage penalty. (MSNBCs News Live, 7/31/03)
But, In 1998, Kerry Voted Against Eliminating Marriage Penalty Relief For Married Taxpayers With Combined Incomes Less Than $50,000 Per Year, Saving Taxpayers $46 Billion Over 10 Years. (S. 1415, CQ Vote #154: Rejected 48-50: R 5-49; D 43-1, 6/10/98, Kerry Voted Yea)
Flip-Flopped On Patriot Act
Kerry Voted For Patriot Act. The Patriot Act was passed nearly unanimously by the Senate 98-1, and 357-66 in the House. (H.R. 3162, CQ Vote #313: Passed 98-1: R 49-0; D 48-1; I 1-0, 10/25/01, Kerry Voted Yea)
Kerry Used To Defend His Vote. Most of [The Patriot Act] has to do with improving the transfer of information between CIA and FBI, and it has to do with things that really were quite necessary in the wake of what happened on September 11th. (Sen. John Kerry, Remarks At Town Hall Meeting, Manchester, NH, 8/6/03)
Now, Kerry Attacks Patriot Act. We are a nation of laws and liberties, not of a knock in the night. So it is time to end the era of John Ashcroft. That starts with replacing the Patriot Act with a new law that protects our people and our liberties at the same time. Ive been a District Attorney and I know that what law enforcement needs are real tools not restrictions on Americans basic rights. (Sen. John Kerry, Remarks At Iowa State University, 12/1/03)
Kerry Took BOTH Sides On First Gulf War
Kerry Took BOTH Sides In First Gulf War In Separate Letters To Same Constituent. Rather than take a side--albeit the one he thought was most expedient--Kerry actually stood on both sides of the first Gulf war, much like he did this time around. Consider this Notebook item from TNRs March 25, 1991 issue, which ran under the headline Same Senator, Same Constituent: Thank you for contacting me to express your opposition ... to the early use of military force by the US against Iraq. I share your concerns. On January 11, I voted in favor of a resolution that would have insisted that economic sanctions be given more time to work and against a resolution giving the president the immediate authority to go to war. --letter from Senator John Kerry to Wallace Carter of Newton Centre, Massachusetts, dated January 22 [1991] Thank you very much for contacting me to express your support for the actions of President Bush in response to the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait. From the outset of the invasion, I have strongly and unequivocally supported President Bushs response to the crisis and the policy goals he has established with our military deployment in the Persian Gulf. --Senator Kerry to Wallace Carter, January 31 [1991] (Noam Scheiber, Noam Scheibers Daily Journal of Politics, The New Republic Online, 1/28/04)
Flip-Flopped On Gay Marriage Amendment
In 2002, Kerry Signed Letter Urging MA Legislature To Reject Constitutional Amendment Banning Gay Marriage. We rarely comment on issues that are wholly within the jurisdiction of the General Court, but there are occasions when matters pending before you are of such significance to all residents of the Commonwealth that we think it appropriate for us to express our opinion. One such matter is the proposed Constitutional amendment that would prohibit or seriously inhibit any legal recognition whatsoever of same-sex relationships. We believe it would be a grave error for Massachusetts to enshrine in our Constitution a provision which would have such a negative effect on so many of our fellow residents.
We are therefore united in urging you to reject this Constitutional amendment and avoid stigmatizing so many of our fellow citizens who do not deserve to be treated in such a manner. (Sen. John Kerry, et al, Letter To Members Of The Massachusetts Legislature, 7/12/02)
Now, In 2004, Kerry Wont Rule Out Supporting Similar Amendment. Asked if he would support a state constitutional amendment barring gay and lesbian marriages, Kerry didnt rule out the possibility. Ill have to see what language there is, he said. (Susan Milligan, Kerry Says GOP May Target Him On Wedge Issue, The Boston Globe, 2/6/04)
Flip-Flopped On Attacking President During Time Of War
In March 2003, Kerry Promised Not To Attack President When War Began. Senator John F. Kerry of Massachusetts
said he will cease his complaints once the shooting starts. Its what you owe the troops, said a statement from Kerry, a Navy veteran of the Vietnam War. I remember being one of those guys and reading news reports from home. If America is at war, I wont speak a word without measuring how itll sound to the guys doing the fighting when theyre listening to their radios in the desert. (Glen Johnson, Democrats On The Stump Plot Their War Rhetoric, The Boston Globe, 3/11/03)
But Weeks Later, With Troops Just Miles From Baghdad, Kerry Broke His Pledge. What we need now is not just a regime change in Saddam Hussein and Iraq, but we need a regime change in the United States, Kerry said in a speech at the Peterborough Town Library. Despite pledging two weeks ago to cool his criticism of the administration once war began, Kerry unleashed a barrage of criticism as US troops fought within 25 miles of Baghdad. (Glen Johnson, Kerry Says Us Needs Its Own Regime Change, The Boston Globe, 4/3/03)
Flip-Flopped On Death Penalty For Terrorists
In 1996, Kerry Attacked Governor Bill Weld For Supporting Death Penalty For Terrorists. KERRY: Your policy would amount to a terrorist protection policy. Mine would put them in jail. (1996 Massachusetts Senate Debate, 9/16/96)
In 1996, Kerry Said, You Can Change Your Mind On Things, But Not On Life-And-Death Issues. (Timothy J. Connolly, The Snoozer Had Some Life, [Worcester, MA] Telegram & Gazette, 7/3/96)
But, In 2002, Kerry Said He Supported Death Penalty For Terrorists. KERRY: The law of the land is the law of the land, but I have also said that I am for the death penalty for terrorists because terrorists have declared war on your country. (NBCs Meet The Press, 12/1/02)
Flip-Flopped On No Child Left Behind
Kerry Voted For No Child Left Behind Act. (H.R. 1, CQ Vote #371: Adopted 87-10: R 44-3; D 43-6; I 0-1, 12/18/01, Kerry Voted Yea)
But Now Kerry Is Attacking No Child Left Behind As Mockery. Between now and the time Im sworn in January 2005, Im going to use every day to make this president accountable for making a mockery of the words No Child Left Behind. (Holly Ramer, Kerry Wants To Make Environmental Justice A Priority, The Associated Press, 4/22/03)
Kerry Trashed NCLB As Unfunded Mandate With Laudable Goals. Kerry referred to [No Child Left Behind] as an unfunded mandate with laudable goals. Without the resources, education reform is a sham, Kerry said. I cant wait to crisscross this country and hold this president accountable for making a mockery of the words no child left behind. (Matt Leon, Sen. Kerry In Tune With Educators, The [Quincy, MA] Patriot Ledger, 7/11/03)
Flip-Flopped On Affirmative Action
In 1992, Kerry Called Affirmative Action Inherently Limited And Divisive. [W]hile praising affirmative action as one kind of progress that grew out of civil rights court battles, Kerry said the focus on a rights-based agenda has inadvertently driven most of our focus in this country not to the issue of what is happening to the kids who do not get touched by affirmative action, but
toward an inherently limited and divisive program which is called affirmative action. That agenda is limited, he said, because it benefits segments of black and minority populations, but not all. And it is divisive because it creates a perception and a reality of reverse discrimination that has actually engendered racism. (Lynne Duke, Senators Seek Serious Dialogue On Race, The Washington Post, 4/8/92)
In 2004, Kerry Denied Ever Having Called Affirmative Action Divisive. CNNs KELLY WALLACE: We caught up with the Senator, who said he never called affirmative action divisive, and accused Clark of playing politics. SEN. KERRY: Thats not what I said. I said there are people who believe that. And I said mend it, dont end it. Hes trying to change what I said, but you can go read the quote. I said very clearly I have always voted for it. Ive always supported it. Ive never, ever condemned it. I did what Jim Clyburn did and what Bill Clinton did, which is mend it. And Jim Clyburn wouldnt be supporting it if it were otherwise. So lets not have any politics here. Lets keep the truth. (CNNs Inside Politics, 1/30/04)
Flip-Flopped On Ethanol
Kerry Twice Voted Against Tax Breaks For Ethanol. (S. Con. Res. 18, CQ Vote #44: Rejected 48-52: R 11-32; D 37-20, 3/23/93, Kerry Voted Nay; S. Con. Res. 18, CQ Vote #68: Motion Agreed To 55-43: R 2-40; D 53-3, 3/24/93, Kerry Voted Yea)
Kerry Voted Against Ethanol Mandates. (H.R. 4624, CQ Vote #255: Motion Agreed To 51-50: R 19-25; D 31-25, 8/3/94, Kerry Voted Nay)
Kerry Voted Twice To Increase Liability On Ethanol, Making It Equal To Regular Gasoline. (S. 517, CQ Vote #87: Motion Agreed To 57-42: R 38-10; D 18-32; I 1-0, 4/25/02 Kerry Voted Nay; S. 14, CQ Vote #208: Rejected 38-57: R 9-40; D 28-17; I 1-0, 6/5/03, Kerry Voted Yea)
On The Campaign Trail, Though, Kerry Is For Ethanol. KERRY: Im for ethanol, and I think its a very important partial ingredient of the overall mix of alternative and renewable fuels we ought to commit to. (MSNBC/DNC, Democrat Presidential Candidate Debate, Des Moines, IA, 11/24/03)
Flip-Flopped On Cuba Sanctions
Senator Kerry Has Long Voted Against Stronger Cuba Sanctions. (H.R. 927, CQ Vote #489, Motion Rejected 59-36: R 50-2; D 9-34, 10/17/95, Kerry Voted Nay; S. 955, CQ Vote #183: Rejected 38-61: R 5-49; D 33-12, 7/17/97, Kerry Voted Yea; S. 1234, CQ Vote #189, Motion Agreed To 55-43: R 43-10; D 12-33, 6/30/99, Kerry Voted Nay; S. 2549, CQ Vote #137: Motion Agreed To 59-41: R 52-3; D 7-38, 6/20/00, Kerry Voted Nay)
In 2000, Kerry Said Florida Politics Is Only Reason Cuba Sanctions Still In Place. Senator John F. Kerry, the Massachusetts Democrat and member of the Foreign Relations Committee, said in an interview that a reevaluation of relations with Cuba was way overdue. We have a frozen, stalemated, counterproductive policy that is not in humanitarian interests nor in our larger credibility interest in the region, Kerry said.
It speaks volumes about the problems in the current American electoral process.
The only reason we dont reevaluate the policy is the politics of Florida. (John Donnelly, Policy Review Likely On Cuba, The Boston Globe, 4/9/00)
Now Kerry Panders To Cuban Vote, Saying He Would Not Lift Embargo Against Cuba. TIM RUSSERT: Would you consider lifting sanctions, lifting the embargo against Cuba? SEN. KERRY: Not unilaterally, not now, no. (NBCs Meet The Press, 8/31/03)
Kerry Does Not Support Opening Up The Embargo Wily Nilly. Kerry said he believes in engagement with the communist island nation but that does not mean, Open up the dialogue. He believes it means travel and perhaps even remittances or cultural exchanges but he does not support opening up the embargo wily nilly. (Daniel A. Ricker, Kerry Says Bush Did Not Build A Legitimate Coalition In Iraq, The Miami Herald, 11/25/03)
Flip-Flopped On NAFTA
Kerry Voted For NAFTA. (H.R. 3450, CQ Vote #395: Passed 61-38: R 34-10; D 27-28, 11/20/93, Kerry Voted Yea)
Kerry Recognized NAFTA Is Our Future. NAFTA recognizes the reality of todays economy - globalization and technology, Kerry said. Our future is not in competing at the low-level wage job; it is in creating high-wage, new technology jobs based on our skills and our productivity. (John Aloysius Farrell, Senates OK Finalizes NAFTA Pact, The Boston Globe, 11/21/93)
Now, Kerry Expresses Doubt About NAFTA. Kerry, who voted for NAFTA in 1993, expressed some doubt about the strength of free-trade agreements. If it were before me today, I would vote against it because it doesnt have environmental or labor standards in it, he said. (David Lightman, Democrats Battle For Labors Backing, Hartford Courant, 8/6/03)
Flip-Flopped On Double Taxation Of Dividends
December 2002: Kerry Favored Ending Double Taxation Of Dividends. [T]o encourage investments in the jobs of the future - I think we should eliminate the tax on capital gains for investments in critical technology companies - zero capital gains on $100 million issuance of stock if its held for 5 years and has created real jobs. And we should attempt to end the double taxation of dividends. (Sen. John Kerry, Remarks At The City Club Of Cleveland, 12/3/02)
May 2003: Kerry Said He Opposed Ending Double Taxation Of Dividends. Kerry also reiterated his opposition to the Republican plan to cut taxes on stock dividends. This is not the time for a dividends tax cut that goes to individuals, he said. (Kerry Says Time Is On Dems Side, The Associated Press, 5/8/03)
Flip-Flopped On Raising Taxes During Economic Downturn
September 2001: Said Should Not Raise Taxes In Economic Downturn. The first priority is the economy of our nation. And when you have a downturn in the economy, the last thing you do is raise taxes or cut spending. We shouldnt do either. We need to maintain a course that hopefully will stimulate the economy. . . . No, we should not raise taxes, but we have to put everything on the table to take a look at why we have this structural problem today. . . .[Y]ou dont want to raise taxes. (NBCs Meet The Press, 9/2/01)
We Should Absolutely Not Raise Taxes. Well, I think its very clear what I favor because we voted for it early in the spring, which was the Democratic budget alternative that had triggers in it where you didnt wind up spending money you dont have. It had a smaller tax cut but more tax cut for a stimulus, which is what we need. So you ask me, what do we need now? Yes, we need additional stimulus. We should absolutely not raise taxes. We should not cut spending. What we need to do is drive the economy of this country. The economy is the number one issue. It is the most important thing we should focus on. (CNNs Evans, Novak, Hunt & Shields, 9/8/01)
April 2002: Said He Wanted Larger Tax Cut And Was Not In Favor Of Repeal. CNNs TUCKER CARLSON: Senator Kerry . . . [many Democrats] [g]et a lot of political mileage out of criticizing [President Bushs tax cut], but nobody has the courage to say repeal it. Are you for repealing it? KERRY: Its not a question of courage. . . . And its not an issue right now. We passed appropriately a tax cut as a stimulus, some $40 billion. Many of us thought it should have even maybe been a little bit larger this last year
[T]he next tax cut doesnt take effect until 2004. If we can grow the economy enough between now and then, if we have sensible policies in place and make good choices, who knows what our choices will be. So its simply not a ripe issue right now. And Im not in favor of turning around today and repealing it. (CNNs Crossfire, 4/16/02)
December 2002: Flip-Flopped, Would Keep Tax Cuts From Taking Effect. NBCs TIM RUSSERT: Senator . . . should we freeze or roll back the Bush tax cut? KERRY: Well, I wouldnt take away from people whove already been given their tax cut
What I would not do is give any new Bush tax cuts.
RUSSERT: So the tax cut thats scheduled to be implemented in the coming years
KERRY: No new tax cut under the Bush plan. . . . It doesnt make economic sense.
RUSSERT: Now, this is a change
(NBCs Meet The Press, 12/1/02)
Called For Freeze Of Bush Tax Cuts In Favor Of Year-Long Suspension Of Payroll Taxes On First $10,000 Of Personal Income. Kerry said Bushs tax cuts have mainly benefited the rich while doing little for the economy. Kerry is proposing to halt Bushs additional tax cuts and instead impose a yearlong suspension of payroll taxes on the first $10,000 of income to help the poor and middle class. (Tyler Bridges, Kerry Visits Miami To Start Raising Funds, The Miami Herald, 12/7/02)
Flip-Flopped On Small Business Income Taxes
Kerry Voted Against Exempting Small Businesses And Family Farms From Clinton Income Tax Increase. (S. Con. Res. 18, CQ Vote #79: Motion Agreed To 54-45: R 0-43; D 54-2, 3/25/93, Kerry Voted Yea)
Three Months Later, Kerry Voted In Favor Of Proposal To Exclude Small Businesses From The Increased Income Tax. (S. 1134, CQ Vote #171: Motion Rejected 56-42: R 43-0; D 13-42, 6/24/93, Kerry Voted Yea)
Kerry Claimed He Fought To Exempt Small Businesses From Income Tax Increases. I worked to amend the reconciliation bill so that it would
exempt small businesses who are classified as subchapter S corporations from the increased individual income tax. (Sen. John Kerry, Congressional Record, 6/29/93, p. S 8268)
Kerry Flip-Flopped On 50-Cent Gas Tax Increase
In 1994, Kerry Backed Half-Dollar Increase In Gas Tax. Kerry said [the Concord Coalitions scorecard] did not accurately reflect individual lawmakers efforts to cut the deficit. It doesnt reflect my $43 billion package of cuts or my support for a 50-cent increase in the gas tax, Kerry said. (Jill Zuckman, Deficit-Watch Group Gives High Marks To 7 N.E. Lawmakers, The Boston Globe, 3/1/94)
Two Years Later, Kerry Flip-Flopped. Kerry no longer supports the 50-cent [gas tax] hike, nor the 25-cent hike proposed by the [Concord] coalition. (Michael Grunwald, Kerry Gets Low Mark On Budgeting, The Boston Globe, 4/30/96)
Flip-Flopped On Leaving Abortion Up To States
Kerry Used To Say Abortion Should Be Left Up To States. I think the question of abortion is one that should be left for the states to decide, Kerry said during his failed 1972 Congressional bid. (John Kerry On The Issues, The [Lowell, MA] Sun, 10/11/72)
Now Kerry Says Abortion Is Law Of Entire Nation. The right to choose is the law of the United States. No person has the right to infringe on that freedom. Those of us who are in government have a special responsibility to see to it that the United States continues to protect this right, as it must protect all rights secured by the constitution. (Sen. John Kerry [D-MA], Congressional Record, 1/22/85)
Flip-Flopped On Litmus Tests For Judicial Nominees
Kerry Used To Oppose Litmus Tests For Judicial Nominees. Throughout two centuries, our federal judiciary has been a model institution, one which has insisted on the highest standards of conduct by our public servants and officials, and which has survived with undiminished respect. Today, I fear that this institution is threatened in a way that we have not seen before.
This threat is that of the appointment of a judiciary which is not independent, but narrowly ideological, through the systematic targeting of any judicial nominee who does not meet the rigid requirements of litmus tests imposed
(Sen. John Kerry, Congressional Record, 2/3/86, p. S864)
But Now Kerry Says He Would Only Support Supreme Court Nominees Who Pledge To Uphold Roe v. Wade. The potential retirement of Supreme Court justices makes the 2004 presidential election especially important for women, Senator John F. Kerry told a group of female Democrats yesterday, and he pledged that if elected president he would nominate to the high court only supporters of abortion rights under its Roe v. Wade decision.
Any president ought to appoint people to the Supreme Court who understand the Constitution and its interpretation by the Supreme Court. In my judgment, it is and has been settled law that women, Americans, have a defined right of privacy and that the government does not make the decision with respect to choice. Individuals do. (Glen Johnson, Kerry Vows Court Picks To Be Abortion-Rights Supporters, The Boston Globe, 4/9/03)
Flip-Flopped On Federal Health Benefits
In 1993, Kerry Expressed Doubts That Federal Employees Health Benefits System Worked Well. Hillary Rodham Clinton today offered a fresh description of one of the most confusing elements of the Administration health care plan, the health insurance purchasing alliances, saying they would let all Americans choose coverage in the way members of Congress do.
Senator John Kerry, Democrat of Massachusetts, said he was not sure that the Federal program worked all that well. (Adam Clymer, Hillary Clinton Says Health Plan Will Be Familiar, The New York Times, 12/8/93)
Kerry Expressed Personal Dissatisfaction With His Coverage Through Federal Program. Earlier this month, when Hillary Rodham Clinton came to Boston and vowed that average Americans would get as good coverage as that enjoyed by their senators and representatives, Sen. John F. Kerry told Clinton that he thought the country could do better. The Massachusetts Democrat said he was thinking, among other recent disasters, of his $500 dental bill for treatment of an abscessed tooth. Because it was done in the dentists office, rather than the hospital, they didnt cover it. So they were urging me to go spend twice as much in a hospital, said Kerry, who is covered by BACE, the Beneficial Association of Capitol Employees. (Ana Puga, Lawmakers Talk Health Care, The Boston Globe, 12/19/93)
Now, On Campaign Trail, Kerry Is Enthusiastic About Health Care He Receives As Senator. As a U.S. Senator, I could get the best health care in the world. Most people arent so lucky, and we need to change that. Thats why my plan gives every American access to the same kind of health care that members of Congress give themselves.
Because your familys health care is just as important as any politicians in Washington. (Sen. John Kerry, Affordable Health Care For All Americans, Remarks At Mercy Medical, Cedar Rapids, IA, 12/14/03)
Kerry: Im Going To Make Available To Every American The Same Health Care Plan That Senators And Congressmen Give Themselves
(Sen. John Kerry, AARP Democrat Candidate Debate, Bedford, NH, 11/18/03)
Flip-Flopped On Tax Credits For Small Business Health
In 2001, Kerry Voted Against Amendment Providing $70 Billion For Tax Credits For Small Business To Purchase Health Insurance. (H. Con. Res. 83, CQ Vote #83: Rejected 49-51: R 48-2; D 1-49, 4/5/01, Kerry Voted Nay)
Now, Kerry Promises Refundable Tax Credits To Small Businesses For Health Coverage. Refundable tax credits for up to 50 percent of the cost of coverage will be offered to small businesses and their employees to make health care more affordable. (John Kerrys Plan To Make Health Care Affordable To Every American, John Kerry For President Website, www.johnkerry.com, Accessed 1/21/04)
Flip-Flopped On Health Coverage
In 1994, Kerry Said Democrats Push Health Care Too Much. [Kerry] said Kennedy and Clintons insistence on pushing health care reform was a major cause of the Democratic Partys problems at the polls. (Joe Battenfeld, Jenny Craig Hit With Sex Harassment Complaint - By Men, Boston Herald, 11/30/94)
But Now Kerry Calls Health Care His Passion. Sen. John Kerry says expanding coverage is my passion. (Susan Page, Health Specifics Could Backfire On Candidates, USA Today, 6/2/03)
Flip-Flopped On Welfare Reform
In 1993, Kerry Voted To Kill Bipartisan Welfare Work Requirement. In 1993, Kerry and Kennedy voted against a welfare-to-work requirement that was supported by many Democrats, including Sens. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) and Harry Reid (D-NV):
Fiscal 1993 Supplemental Appropriations - Welfare Work Requirement. Moynihan, D-N.Y., motion to table (kill) the DAmato, R-N.Y., amendment to sharply cut federal welfare administration aid to states that do not, within a year, require at least 10 percent of their able-bodied welfare recipients without dependents to work. The required workfare participation rate would be increased by 2 percent a year until 50 percent were working. (H.R. 2118, CQ Vote #163: Rejected 34-64: R 1-42; D 33-22, 6/22/93, Kerry Voted Yea)
But In 1996, Kerry Voted For Welfare Reform. (H.R. 3734, CQ Vote #262: Adopted 78-21: R 53-0; D 25-21, 8/1/96, Kerry Voted Yea)
Flip-Flops On Stock Options Expensing
Kerry Used To Oppose Expensing Stock Options. Democratic Senator John F. Kerry was among those fighting expensing of stock options. (Sue Kirchhoff, Senate Blocks Options, The Boston Globe, 7/16/02)
Kerry Said Expensing Options Would Not Benefit The Investing Public. KERRY: Mr. President, the Financial Accounting Standards Board
has proposed a rule that will require companies to amortize the value of stock options and deduct them off of their earnings statements
I simply cannot see how the FASB rule, as proposed, will benefit the investing public. (Sen. John Kerry, Congressional Record, 3/10/94, p. S2772)
But Now Kerry Says He Supports Carrying Of Stock Options As Corporate Expense. On an issue related to corporate scandals, Kerry for the first time endorsed the carrying of stock options as a corporate expense. The use of stock options was abused by some companies and contributed to overly optimistic balance sheets. Kerry applauded steps by Microsoft Corp. to eliminate stock options for employees and said all publicly traded companies should be required to expense such options. (Dan Balz, Kerry Raps Bush Policy On Postwar Iraq, The Washington Post, 7/11/03)
Flip-Flopped On Medical Marijuana
Kerry Said His Personal Disposition Is Open To The Issue Of Medical Marijuana. Aaron Houston of the Granite Staters for Medical Marijuana said that just a month ago Mr. Kerry seemed to endorse medical marijuana use, and when asked about the content of his mysterious study, said, I am trying to find out. I dont know. Mr. Kerry did say his personal disposition is open to the issue of medical marijuana and that hed stop Drug Enforcement Administration raids on patients using the stuff under Californias medical marijuana law. (Jennifer Harper, Inside Politics, The Washington Times, 8/8/03)
But Now Kerry Says He Wants To Wait For Study Analyzing Issue Before Making Final Decision. The Massachusetts Democrat said Wednesday hed put off any final decision on medical marijuana because theres a study under way analyzing what the science is. (Jennifer Harper, Inside Politics, The Washington Times, 8/8/03)
Flip-Flopped On Burma Sanctions
In 1995, Kerry Was Against Burma Sanctions. I question whether isolation is a successful means of promoting political change, Kerry told a constituent in a 1995 letter justifying his opposition to a Burma sanction bill. (Geeta Anand, et al., Menino Gets Ahead Of Himself, Starts Contemplating Third Term, The Boston Globe, 5/18/97)
But Now Kerry Supports Burma Sanctions. In his 1996 reelection campaign, Kerry, after Governor William F. Weld took up the cause, was badgered by advisers into shifting his position. But as he eyes a presidential campaign and the Burma sanction movement gains credibility, Kerry
describes the Burma regime as a semi-criminalized dictatorship
which should not be treated with respect by other nations, but should be instead subject to limitations on travel, investment, and access to the most developed nations. (Geeta Anand, et al., Menino Gets Ahead Of Himself, Starts Contemplating Third Term, The Boston Globe, 5/18/97)
Flip-Flopped On Military Experience As Credential For Public Office
Kerry: Service Should Not Be Litmus Test For Leadership. Mr. President, you and I know that if support or opposition to the war were to become a litmus test for leadership, America would never have leaders or recover from the divisions created by that war. You and I know that if service or nonservice in the war is to become a test of qualification for high office, you would not have a Vice President, nor would you have a Secretary of Defense and our Nation would never recover from the divisions created by that war. (Sen. John Kerry, Congressional Record, 10/08/92, p. S17709)
But Now Kerry Constantly Challenges The Stature Of His Democratic Opponents Over Their Lack Of Military Service. And more than ever, Mr. Kerry is invoking his stature as a Vietnam veteran as he challenges the stature of his Democratic opponents -- none of whom, he frequently points out, have worn the uniform of our country -- to withstand a debate with Mr. Bush on national security. (Adam Nagourney, As Campaign Tightens, Kerry Sharpens Message, The New York Times, 8/10/03)
Flip-Flopped On PACs
Kerry Used To Decry Special Interests And Their PAC Money. Im frequently told by cynics in Washington that refusing PAC money is naive, Kerry told his supporters in 1985. Do you agree that it is naïve to turn down special interests and their PAC money? (Glen Johnson, In A Switch, Kerry Is Launching A PAC, The Boston Globe, 12/15/01)
But Now, Kerry Has Established His Own PAC. A week after repeating that he has refused to accept donations from political action committees, Senator John F. Kerry announced yesterday that he was forming a committee that would accept PAC money for him to distribute to other Democratic candidates.
Kerrys stance on soft money, unregulated donations funneled through political parties, puts him in the position of raising the type of money that he, McCain, and others in the campaign-finance reform movement are trying to eliminate. (Glen Johnson, In A Switch, Kerry Is Launching A PAC, The Boston Globe, 12/15/01)
Flip-Flopped On $10,000 Donation Limit To His PAC
When Kerry Established His PAC In 2001, He Instituted A $10,000 Limit On Donations. A week after repeating that he has refused to accept donations from political action committees, Senator John F. Kerry announced yesterday that he was forming a committee that would accept PAC money for him to distribute to other Democratic candidates
The statement also declared that the new PAC would voluntarily limit donations of so-called soft money to $10,000 per donor per year and disclose the source and amount of all such donations. (Glen Johnson, In A Switch, Kerry Is Launching A Pac, The Boston Globe, 12/15/01)
One Year Later, Kerry Started Accepting Unlimited Contributions. Senator John F. Kerry, who broke with personal precedent last year when he established his first political action committee, has changed his fund-raising guidelines again, dropping a $10,000 limit on contributions from individuals, a cap he had touted when establishing the PAC. The Massachusetts Democrat said yesterday he decided to accept unlimited contributions, which has already allowed him to take in soft money donations as large as $25,000, because of the unprecedented fund-raising demands confronting him as a leader in the Senate Democratic caucus. (Glen Johnson, Kerry Shifts Fund-Raising Credo For His Own PAC, The Boston Globe, 10/4/02)
Flip-Flopped On Using Personal Funds In 1996 Race
In 1996, Kerry And Weld Established $500,000 Limit Of Personal Wealth To Be Used In Senate Campaign. In 1996, Kerry and Weld gave their already noteworthy Senate race added significance by establishing a spending cap. The candidates agreed to spend no more than $6.9 million from July 1 through the election. Weld ended up spending $6.6 million and Kerry $6.3 million. One key element of the agreement limited the candidates to spending $500,000 in personal wealth, a clause Weld favored because Kerry is married to a millionaire, Teresa Heinz. (Glen Johnson, In Kerrys Plan For A Pac, The Resolution Of Opposites, The Boston Globe, 12/18/01)
Kerry Broke Agreement By Spending $1.2 Million Over Limit. [P]ost-election reports showed a last-minute infusion of $1.7 million from Kerrys wife, heiress Teresa Heinz.
[K]erry denied that his campaign violated its agreement. The money had been loaned--not contributed--by his wife, he explained. There was nothing in the agreement that restricted us from taking a loan
and we paid it back in $1,000 and $2,000 chunks. (Global Ecology Lobby Rocked By Defection, Political Finance, The Newsletter, 1/02)
Flip-Flopped On Israel Security Fence
October 2003: Kerry Calls Fence Barrier To Peace. And I know how disheartened Palestinians are by the Israeli governments decision to build a barrier off the green line, cutting deeply into Palestinian areas. We do not need another barrier to peace. Provocative and counterproductive measures only harm Israels security over the long- term, they increase hardships to the Palestinian people, and they make the process of negotiating an eventual settlement that much harder. (Sen. John Kerry, Remarks Before Arab American Institute National Leadership Conference, Dearborn, MI, 10/17/03)
February 2004: Kerry Calls Fence Legitimate Act Of Self-Defense. US Senator John Kerry of Massachusetts, the frontrunner in the race for the Democratic presidential nomination, described Israels construction of a security barrier as a legitimate act of self defense after Sundays suicide bombing in Jerusalem, clarifying a position he took in October when he told an Arab American audience, We dont need another barrier to peace. (Janine Zacharia, Kerry Defends Security Fence, The Jerusalem Post, 2/25/04)
Flip-Flop-Flipped On Ballistic Missile Defense
Kerry Called For Cancellation Of Missile Defense Systems In 1984 And Has Voted Against Funding For Missile Defense At Least 53 Times Between 1985 And 2000. (John Kerry On The Defense Budget, Campaign Position Paper, John Kerry For U.S. Senate, 1984; S. 1160, CQ Vote #99: Rejected 21-78: R 2-50; D 19-28, 6/4/85, Kerry Voted Yea; S. 1160, CQ Vote #100: Rejected 38-57: R 6-45; D 32-12, 6/4/85, Kerry Voted Yea; S. 1160, CQ Vote #101: Rejected 36-59: R 1-49; D 35-10, 6/4/85, Kerry Voted Yea; S. 1160, CQ Vote #103: Rejected 33-62: R 28-22; D 5-40, 6/4/85, Kerry Voted Nay; H.J. Res. 465, CQ Vote #365: Motion Agreed To 64-32: R 49-2; D 15-30, 12/10/85, Kerry Voted Nay; H.R. 4515, CQ Vote #122: Ruled Non-Germane 45-47: R 7-42; D 38-5, 6/6/86, Kerry Voted Yea; S. 2638, CQ Vote #176: Motion Agreed To 50-49: R 41-11; D 9-38, 8/5/86, Kerry Voted Nay; S. 2638, CQ Vote #177: Rejected 49-50: R 10-42; D 39-8, 8/5/86, Kerry Voted Yea; S. 1174, CQ Vote #248: Motion Agreed To 58-38: R 8-37; D 50-1, 9/17/87, Kerry Voted Yea; S. 1174, CQ Vote #259: Motion Agreed To 51-50: R 37-9; D 13-41, With Vice President Bush Casting An Yea Vote, 9/22/87, Kerry Voted Nay; S. 2355, CQ Vote #124: Motion Agreed To 66-29: R 38-6; D 28-23, 5/11/88, Kerry Voted Nay; S. 2355, CQ Vote #125: Motion Agreed To 50-46: R 38-7; D 12-39, 5/11/88, Kerry Voted Nay; S. 2355, CQ Vote #126: Motion Rejected 47-50: R 38-6; D 9-44, 5/11/88, Kerry Voted Nay; S. 2355, CQ Vote #128: Motion Rejected 48-50: R 6-39; D 42-11, 5/11/88, Kerry Voted Yea; S. 2355, CQ Vote #136: Motion Agreed To 56-37: R 9-34; D 47-3, 5/13/88, Kerry Voted Yea; S. 2355, CQ Vote #137: Motion Agreed To 51-43: R 38-5; D 13-38, 5/13/88, Kerry Voted Nay; H.R. 4264, CQ Vote #251: Motion Rejected 35-58: R 35-9; D 0-49, 7/14/88, Kerry Voted Nay; H.R. 4781, CQ Vote #296: Motion Agreed To 50-44: R 5-39; D 45-5, 8/5/88, Kerry Voted Yea; S. 1352, CQ Vote #148: Motion Agreed To 50-47: R 37-6; D 13-41, 7/27/89, Kerry Voted Nay; H.R. 3072, CQ Vote #202: Rejected 34-66: R 27-18; D 7-48, 9/26/89, Kerry Voted Nay; H.R. 3072, CQ Vote #213: Adopted 53-47: R 39-6; D 14-41, 9/28/89, Kerry Voted Nay; S. 2884, CQ Vote #223: Adopted 54-44: R 2-42; D 52-2, 8/4/90, Kerry Voted Yea; S. 2884, CQ Vote #225: Motion Agreed To 56-41: R 39-4; D 17-37, 8/4/90, Kerry Voted Nay; S. 2884, CQ Vote #226: Motion Agreed To 54-43: R 37-6; D 17-37, 8/4/90, Kerry Voted Nay; S. 3189, CQ Vote #273: Passed 79-16: R 37-5; D 42-11, 10/15/90, Kerry Voted Nay; H.R. 5803, CQ Vote #319: Adopted 80-17: R 37-6; D 43-11, 10/26/90, Kerry Voted Nay; H.R. 4739, CQ Vote #320: Adopted 80-17: R 37-6; D 43-11, 10/26/90, Kerry Voted Nay; S. 1507, CQ Vote #168: Rejected 39-60: R 4-39; D 35-21, 7/31/91, Kerry Voted Yea; S. 1507, CQ Vote #171: Motion Agreed To 60-38: R 40-3; D 20-35, 8/1/91, Kerry Voted Nay; S. 1507, CQ Vote #172: Motion Agreed To 64-34: R 39-4; D 25-30, 8/1/91, Kerry Voted Nay; S. 1507, CQ Vote #173: Rejected 46-52: R 5-38; D 41-14, 8/1/91, Kerry Voted Yea; H.R. 2521, CQ Vote #207: Motion Agreed To 50-49: R 38-5; D 12-44, 9/25/91, Kerry Voted Nay; S. 2403, CQ Vote #85: Adopted 61-38: R 7-36; D 54-2, 5/6/92, Kerry Voted Yea; H.R. 4990, CQ Vote #108: Adopted 90-9: R 34-9; D 56-0, 5/21/92, Kerry Voted Yea; S. 3114, CQ Vote #182: Motion Rejected 43-49: R 34-5; D 9-44, 8/7/92, Kerry Voted Nay; S. 3114, CQ Vote #214: Rejected 48-50: R 5-38; D 43-12, 9/17/92, Kerry Voted Yea; S. 3114, CQ Vote #215: Adopted 52-46: R 39-4; D 13-42, 9/17/92, Kerry Voted Nay; H.R. 5504, CQ Vote #228: Adopted 89-4: R 36-4; D 53-0, 9/22/92, Kerry Voted Yea; S. 1298, CQ Vote #251: Adopted 50-48: R 6-36; D 44-12, 9/9/93, Kerry Voted Yea; S. Con. Res. 63, CQ Vote #64: Rejected 40-59: R 2-42; D 38-17, 3/22/94, Kerry Voted Yea; S. 1026, CQ Vote #354: Motion Agreed To 51-48: R 47-6; D 4-42, 8/3/95, Kerry Voted Nay; S. 1087, CQ Vote #384: Rejected 45-54: R 5-49; D 40-5, 8/10/95, Kerry Voted Yea; S. 1087, CQ Vote #397: Passed 62-35: R 48-4; D 14-31, 9/5/95, Kerry Voted Nay; H.R. 1530, CQ Vote #399: Passed 64-34: R 50-3; D 14-31, 9/6/95, Kerry Voted Nay; H.R. 2126, CQ Vote #579: Adopted 59-39: R 48-5; D 11-34, 11/16/95, Kerry Voted Nay; H.R. 1530, CQ Vote #608: Adopted 51-43: R 47-2; D 4-41, 12/19/95, Kerry Voted Nay; S. 1635, CQ Vote #157: Rejected 53-46: R 52-0; D 1-46, 6/4/96, Kerry Voted Nay; S. 1745, CQ Vote #160: Rejected 44-53: R 4-49; D 40-4, 6/19/96, Kerry Voted Yea; S. 1745, CQ Vote #187: Passed 68-31: R 50-2; D 18-29, 7/10/96, Kerry Voted Nay; S. 936, CQ Vote #171: Rejected 43-56: R 2-53; D 41-3, 7/11/97, Kerry Voted Yea; S. 1873, CQ Vote #131: Motion Rejected 59-41: R 55-0; D 4-41, 5/13/98, Kerry Voted Nay; S. 1873, CQ Vote #262: Motion Rejected 59-41: R 55-0; D 4-41, 9/9/98, Kerry Voted Nay; S. 2549, CQ Vote #178: Motion Agreed To 52-48: R 52-3; D 0-45, 7/13/00, Kerry Voted Nay)
Kerry Then Claimed To Support Missile Defense. I support the development of an effective defense against ballistic missiles that is deployed with maximum transparency and consultation with U.S. allies and other major powers. If there is a real potential of a rogue nation firing missiles at any city in the United States, responsible leadership requires that we make our best, most thoughtful efforts to defend against that threat. The same is true of accidental launch. If it were to happen, no leader could ever explain not having chosen to defend against the disaster when doing so made sense. (Peace Action Website, Where Do The Candidates Stand On Foreign Policy? http://www.peace-action.org/2004/Kerry.html, Accessed 3/10/04)
Now Kerry Campaign Says He Will Defund Missile Defense. FOX NEWS MAJOR GARRETT: Kerry would not say how much all of this would cost. A top military adviser said the Massachusetts Senator would pay for some of it by stopping all funds to deploy a national ballistic missile defense system, one that Kerry doesnt believe will work. KERRY ADVISOR RAND BEERS: He would not go forward at this time because there is not a proof of concept. (Fox News Special Report, 3/17/03)
Flip-Flopped On 1991 Iraq War Coalition
At The Time, Kerry Questioned Strength Of 1991 Coalition. I keep hearing from people, Well, the coalition is fragile, it wont stay together, and my response to that is, if the coalition is so fragile, then what are the vital interests and what is it that compels us to risk our young Americans lives if the others arent willing to stay the
course of peace?
I voted against the president, Im convinced were doing this the wrong way
(CBS This Morning, 1/16/91)
Now Kerry Has Nothing But Praise For 1991 Coalition. SEN. JOHN KERRY: In my speech on the floor of the Senate I made it clear, you are strongest when you act with other nations. All presidents, historically, his father, George Herbert Walker Bush, did a brilliant job of building a legitimate coalition and even got other people to help pay for the war. (NBCs Meet The Press, 1/11/04)
Flip-Flopped On View Of War On Terror
Kerry Said War On Terror Is Basically A Manhunt. Kerry was asked about Bushs weekend appearance on Meet the Press when he called himself a war president. The senator, who watched the session, remarked: The war on terrorism is a very different war from the way the president is trying to sell it to us. Its a serious challenge, and it is a war of sorts, but it is not the kind of war theyre trying to market to America. Kerry characterized the war on terror as predominantly an intelligence-gathering and law enforcement operation. Its basically a manhunt, he said. You gotta know who they are, where they are, what theyre planning, and you gotta be able to go get em before they get us. (Katherine M. Skiba, Bush, Kerry Turn Focus To Each Other, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 2/13/04)
Two Weeks Later, Kerry Flip-Flopped, Saying War On Terror Is More Than A Manhunt. This war isnt just a manhunt a checklist of names from a deck of cards. In it, we do not face just one man or one terrorist group. We face a global jihadist movement of many groups, from different sources, with separate agendas, but all committed to assaulting the United States and free and open societies around the globe. (Sen. John Kerry, Remarks At University Of California At Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 2/27/04)
Flip-Flopped On Funding For Our Troops In Iraq
Kerry Pledged To Fund Reconstruction With Whatever Number Of Dollars It Took. NBCS TIM RUSSERT: Do you believe that we should reduce funding that we are now providing for the operation in Iraq? SEN. JOHN KERRY: No. I think we should increase it. RUSSERT: Increase funding? KERRY: Yes. RUSSERT: By how much? KERRY: By whatever number of billions of dollars it takes to win. It is critical that the United States of America be successful in Iraq, Tim. (NBCs Meet The Press, 8/31/03)
Then Kerry Voted Against Senate Passage Of Iraq/Afghanistan Reconstruction Package. Passage of the bill that would appropriate $86.5 billion in fiscal 2004 supplemental spending for military operations and reconstruction in Iraq and Afghanistan. The bill would provide $10.3 billion as a grant to rebuild Iraq, including $5.1 billion for security and $5.2 billion for reconstruction costs. It also would provide $10 billion as a loan that would be converted to a grant if 90 percent of all bilateral debt incurred by the former Iraqi regime of Saddam Hussein has been forgiven by other countries. Separate provisions limit reconstruction aid to $18.4 billion. It also would provide approximately $65.6 billion for military operations and maintenance and $1.3 billion for veterans medical care. (S. 1689, CQ Vote #400: Passed 87-12: R 50-0; D 37-11; I 0-1, 10/17/03, Kerry Voted Nay)
Kerry Later Claimed: I Actually Did Vote For The $87 Billion Before I Voted Against It. (Glen Johnson, Kerry Blasts Bush On Protecting Troops, The Boston Globe, 3/17/04)
Flip-Flopped On Tapping Strategic Petroleum Reserve
In February 2000, Kerry Said Release Of Oil From Strategic Petroleum Reserve Would Not Be Relevant. Without being specific, Kerry, a key member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, suggested the US could retaliate economically in other trade areas. He also said he does not want a release of oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve. A release is not relevant. It would take months for the oil to get to the market, he said. (Cathy Landry, US Energy Chief Warns Of Gasoline Crisis, Platts Oilgram News, 2/17/00)
Now, In March 2004, Kerry Called For Stop In Filling Strategic Petroleum Reserve To Reduce Prices. Kerry would pressure oil-producing nations to increase production and temporarily suspend filling the U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve, according to campaign documents. ... The Bush administration has put the SPR fill program on automatic pilot without regard to the short-term effect on the US market, the campaign documents said. The program needs better management ... Kerry would temporarily suspend filling SPR until oil prices return to normal levels. (Patricia Wilson, Kerry To Offer Plan To Reduce Record Gasoline Prices, Reuters, 3/29/04)
Drudge nails the story once again.
KERRY CALLED SECRET SERVICE AGENT 'SON OF A B*TCH' AFTER SLOPE SPILL
Dem presidential candidate John Kerry called his secret service agent a "son of a bitch" after the agent inadvertently moved into his path during a ski mishap in Idaho, sending Kerry falling into the snow.When asked a moment later about the incident by a reporter on the ski run, Kerry said sharply, "I don't fall down," the "son of a b*itch knocked me over."
The Secret Service agent in question has complained about Kerry's treatment, top sources tell the DRUDGE REPORT.
Last month, Kerry began receiving Secret Service protection.
"Obviously, the complications and burden of being monitored 24-hours a day is not just an a simple inconvenience," a government source explained Friday. "But Senator Kerry should understand agents are working for his safety and well-being."
On Friday, Kerry, his snowboard strapped to his back, hiked past 9,000 feet on Durrance Peak, then snowboarded down the mountain, taking repeated tumbles. Reporters counted six falls, although Kerry was out of sight for part of the descent.
Kerry has a lot of nerve publicly calling this secret service agent down. This guy is sworn to take a bullet for him and he treats him this way. What arrogance.
More proof that someone in California is smokin' that wacky weed. The associated press reports this laughable item.
A proposed amendment to California's constitution would give 16-year-olds a half-vote and 14-year-olds a quarter-vote in state elections.State Sen. John Vasconcellos, among four lawmakers to propose the idea on Monday, said the Internet, cellular phones, multichannel television and a diverse society makes today's teens better informed than their predecessors.
Read all about it. You might want to swallow your soda first so it doesn't come out your nose...
Gotta love those yummy John Kerry waffles! Let's face it, the majority of Americans, especially Democrats, have no idea who John Kerry really is.
Is he a man of character? Does he stand by his words? What DOES he stand for? According to the voting records and his public statements, Kerry is a man of small character and very little integrity. Need proof?
Slate Magazine, known for their liberal bias, has published a fantastic article by Michael Grunwald. John Kerry's Waffles: If you don't like the Democratic nominee's views, just wait a week is a stinging indictment of Kerry's pandering and inability to do anything more than pander to whoever is listening to him.
Read the article and refer to this chart to get a clearer picture of the person that the Democrats are rallying around for the 2004 elections. The truth is beginning to get out, and it will crush Kerry on November 2nd, 2004.
| Issue | Kerry's Original Position | Kerry's Revised Position |
|---|---|---|
| Welfare Reform | In 1988, Sen. Kerry voted against a proposal to require at least one parent in any two-parent welfare family to work a mere 16 hours a week, declaring the work requirement "troublesome to me." | During his 1996 re-election campaign, when his Republican challenger, Gov. William Weld, was calling him soft on welfare, Kerry voted for the much stricter welfare reform law that Clinton signed into law. |
| Mandatory Minimums | In 1993 and 1994, the senator from liberal Massachusetts voted against mandatory minimum sentences for gang activity, gun crimes, drug trafficking, and drug sales to minors, explaining in an impassioned speech that long sentences for some dealers who sell to minors would be "enormous injustices" and that some convicted drug offenders were "so barely culpable it is sad." He also said congressionally imposed mandatory minimums made no sense and would just create turf battles between federal and local prosecutors. | Today, presidential candidate Kerry strongly supports mandatory minimum sentences for federal crimes, including the sale of drugs to minors. |
| Affirmative Action | In 1992, Kerry created a huge stir among liberals and civil rights groups with a major policy address arguing that affirmative action has "kept America thinking in racial terms" and helped promote a "culture of dependency." | Today, Kerry's campaign Web site vows to "Preserve Affirmative Action," noting that he "consistently opposed efforts in the Senate to undermine or eliminate affirmative action programs, and supports programs that seeks to enhance diversity." It doesn't mention any downside. |
| Death Penalty | During one of his debates with Weld in 1996, Kerry ridiculed the idea of capital punishment for terrorists as a "terrorist protection policy," predicting that it would just discourage other nations from extraditing captured terrorists to the United States. | Kerry still opposes capital punishment, but he now makes an exception for terrorists. |
| Education Reform | In a 1998 policy speech the Boston Globe described as "a dramatic break from Democratic dogma," Kerry challenged teachers unions by proposing to gut their tenure and seniority systems, giving principals far more power to hire and fire unqualified or unmotivated teachers. | Today, Kerry once again espouses pure Democratic dogma on education. His Web site pledges to "stop blaming and start supporting public school educators," vowing to give them "better training and better pay, with more career opportunities, more empowerment and more mentors." It doesn't mention seniority or tenure. |
| Double Taxation | In December 2002, Kerry broke with Democratic dogma yet again in a Cleveland speech, calling for the abolition of the unfair "double taxation" of stock dividends in order to promote more investment and more accurate valuations of companies. | Five weeks later, after President Bush proposed a second round of tax cuts that included an end to this double taxation, Kerry changed his tune. He voted against the dividend tax cuts that were ultimately enacted by Congress and now hopes to roll them back as president, along with Bush's other tax cuts for upper-income Americans. |
| Gas Taxation | In 1994, when the Concord Coalition gave Kerry a failing rating for his deficit reduction votes, he complained that he should have gotten credit for supporting a 50-cent increase in the gas tax. | Today he no longer supports any increase in the gas tax. |
| Social Security | During the 1996 campaign, when I was a Globe reporter, Kerry told me the Social Security system should be overhauled. He said Congress should consider raising the retirement age and means-testing benefits and called it "wacky" that payroll taxes did not apply to income over $62,700. "I know it's all going to be unpopular," he said. "But this program has serious problems, and we have a generational responsibility to fix them." | Kerry no longer wants to mess with Social Security. "John Kerry will never balance the budget on the backs of America's seniors," his Web site promises. |
| Trade | Kerry has been a consistent supporter of free trade deals, and as late as December, when reporters asked if there was any issue on which he was prepared to disagree with Democratic interest groups, Kerry replied: "Trade." Slate editor Jacob Weisberg came away impressed by the depth of Kerry's commitment to the issue: "Unlike Edwards, he supports international trade agreements without qualification." | But that was three months ago! In recent weeks, when Kerry has talked trade, he has talked nothing but qualification, calling for "fair trade" rather than "free trade," claiming to agree completely with the protectionist Edwards on trade issues, and vowing to "put teeth" into environmental and labor restrictions in agreements like NAFTA. |
Finally, a compiled list of what Democrats and Liberals have had to say about Saddam Hussein and weapons of mass destruction. The hypocrites are laid bare for all to see. I love truth. It reveals who the liars and scoundrels are.
What Did The
Democrats Say About Iraq's WMD
"One way or the other, we are determined to deny Iraq the
capacity to develop weapons of mass destruction and the missiles
to deliver them. That is our bottom line."
- President Clinton, Feb. 4, 1998 |
Source
"If Saddam rejects peace and we have to use force, our purpose
is clear. We want to seriously diminish the threat posed by
Iraq's weapons of mass destruction program."
- President Bill Clinton, Feb.
17, 1998 |
Source
"We must stop Saddam from ever again jeopardizing the stability
and security of his neighbors with weapons of mass destruction."
- Madeline Albright, Feb 1, 1998
|
Source
"He will use those weapons of mass destruction again, as he has
ten times since 1983."
- Sandy Berger, Clinton National
Security Adviser, Feb, 18, 1998 |
Source
"[W]e urge you, after consulting with Congress, and consistent
with the U.S. Constitution and laws, to take necessary actions
(including, if appropriate, air and missile strikes on suspect
Iraqi sites) to respond effectively to the threat posed by
Iraq's refusal to end its weapons of mass destruction programs."
Letter to President Clinton.
-
(D) Senators Carl Levin, Tom Daschle, John Kerry, others, Oct.
9, 1998 |
Source
"Saddam Hussein has been engaged in the development of weapons
of mass destruction technology which is a threat to countries in
the region and he has made a mockery of the weapons inspection
process."
- Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D, CA), Dec.
16, 1998 |
Source
"Hussein has ... chosen to spend his money on building weapons
of mass destruction and palaces for his cronies."
- Madeline Albright, Clinton
Secretary of State, Nov. 10, 1999 |
Source
"We begin with the common belief that Saddam Hussein is a tyrant
and a threat to the peace and stability of the region. He has
ignored the mandate of the United Nations and is building
weapons of mass destruction and th! e means of delivering them."
- Sen. Carl Levin (D, MI), Sept.
19, 2002 |
Source
"We know that he has stored secret supplies of biological and
chemical weapons throughout his country."
- Al Gore, Sept. 23, 2002 |
Source
"Iraq's search for weapons of mass destruction has proven
impossible to deter and we should assume that it will continue
for as long as Saddam is in power."
- Al Gore, Sept. 23, 2002 |
Source
"We have known for many years that Saddam Hussein is seeking and
developing weapons of mass destruction."
- Sen. Ted Kennedy (D, MA), Sept.
27, 2002 |
Source
"The last UN weapons inspectors left Iraq in October of 1998. We
are confident that Saddam Hussein retains some stockpiles of
chemical and biological weapons, and that he has since embarked
on a crash course to build up his chemical and biological
warfare capabilities. Intelligence reports indicate that he is
seeking nuclear weapons..."
- Sen. Robert Byrd (D, WV), Oct.
3, 2002 |
Source
"I will be voting to give the President of the United States the
authority to use force -- if necessary -- to disarm Saddam
Hussein because I believe that a deadly arsenal of weapons of
mass destruction in his hands is a real and grave threat to our
security."
- Sen. John F. Kerry (D, MA),
Oct. 9, 2002 |
Source
"There is unmistakable evidence that Saddam Hussein is working
aggressively to develop nuclear weapons and will likely have
nuclear weapons within the next five years ... We also should
remember we have always underestimated the progress Saddam has
made in development of weapons of mass destruction."
- Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D, WV),
Oct 10, 2002 |
Source
"In the four years since the inspectors left, intelligence
reports show that Saddam Hussein has worked to rebuild his
chemical and biological weapons stock, his missile delivery
capability, and his nuclear program. He has also given aid,
comfort, and sanctuary to terrorists, including al Qaeda members
... It is clear, however, that if left unchecked, Saddam Hussein
will continue to increase his capacity to wage biological and
chemical warfare, and will keep trying to develop nuclear
weapons."
- Sen. Hillary Clinton (D, NY),
Oct 10, 2002 |
Source
"We are in possession of what I think to be compelling evidence
that Saddam Hussein has, and has had for a number of years, a
developing capacity for the production and storage of weapons of
mass destruction."
- Sen. Bob Graham (D, FL), Dec.
8, 2002 |
Source
"Without question, we need to disarm Saddam Hussein. He is a
brutal, murderous dictator, leading an oppressive regime ... He
presents a particularly grievous threat because he is so
consistently prone to miscalculation ... And now he is
miscalculating America's response to his continued deceit and
his consistent grasp for weapons of mass destruction ... So the
threat of Saddam Hussein with weapons of mass destruction is
real..."
- Sen. John F. Kerry (D, MA),
Jan. 23. 2003 |
Source
While John Kerry attempts to portray himself as a political "moderate", the fact is that he is as liberal as liberal gets. Check out his voting record.
NATIONAL JOURNAL on Friday claimed Democrat frontrunner John Kerry has the "most liberal" voting record in the Senate.The results of Senate vote ratings show that Kerry was the most liberal senator in 2003, with a composite liberal score of 96.5 -- far ahead of such Democrat stalwarts as Ted Kennedy and Hillary Clinton.
NATIONAL JOURNAL's scores, which have been compiled each year since 1981, are based on lawmakers' votes in three areas: economic policy, social policy, and foreign policy.
"To be sure, Kerry's ranking as the No. 1 Senate liberal in 2003 -- and his earning of similar honors three times during his first term, from 1985 to 1990 -- will probably have opposition researchers licking their chops," NATIONAL JOURNAL reports.
Just doing my bit to persuade google to list these individuals properly.
Miserable Failure
Miserable Failure
Miserable Failure
Glad to do my part!
Poll: Bush, Hillary Clinton Most AdmiredWASHINDGTON -- George W. Bush and Hillary Rodham Clinton are finally on the same ticket -- the most admired man and woman in America, according to a poll released Monday.
The Republican president and the Democratic senator from New York and former first lady won't be found on the same sides of many political issues. But they're both seen in a favorable light by the American public.
When people were asked to name the man they admire the most, Bush was picked by 29 percent. Secretary of State Colin Powell and Pope John Paul II were named by 4 percent and former President Clinton was named by 3 percent, according to the CNN-USA Today-Gallup poll.
Sen. Clinton, was named by 16 percent, while talk show host Oprah Winfrey was picked by 7 percent, first lady Laura Bush by 6 percent and national security adviser Condoleezza Rice by 4 percent.
The poll asked an "open-ended question," meaning respondents were allowed to offer any names that came to mind. For both the most-admired man and most-admired woman, the remainder of votes were spread among a wide variety of individuals.
The incumbent president is almost always the most admired man in such polls, but it's not uncommon for the first lady not to be the most admired woman.
The poll of 1,004 adults was taken Dec. 5-7 and has a margin of sampling error of plus or minus 3 percentage points.
Could someone please tell me anything there is to admire about Hillary Clinton. No, seriously. Something substantive?
Holy cow. I think the 16% who named her are dangerous people... the Jerry Springer crowd. Let's make sure these people vote on November 3rd next year, ok?
What did Clinton know and when did he know it? As it turns out, perhaps our former Embarassment-in-Chief was aware of what the Bush Administration has suspected all along? This article from the Weekly Standard makes some very interesting assertions...
The Clinton View of Iraq-al Qaeda Ties From the December 29, 2003 / January 5, 2004 issue: Connecting the dots in 1998, but not in 2003.ARE AL QAEDA'S links to Saddam Hussein's Iraq just a fantasy of the Bush administration? Hardly. The Clinton administration also warned the American public about those ties and defended its response to al Qaeda terror by citing an Iraqi connection.
For nearly two years, starting in 1996, the CIA monitored the al Shifa pharmaceutical plant in Khartoum, Sudan. The plant was known to have deep connections to Sudan's Military Industrial Corporation, and the CIA had gathered intelligence on the budding relationship between Iraqi chemical weapons experts and the plant's top officials. The intelligence included information that several top chemical weapons specialists from Iraq had attended ceremonies to celebrate the plant's opening in 1996. And, more compelling, the National Security Agency had intercepted telephone calls between Iraqi scientists and the plant's general manager.
Drudge report today...
HILLARY RIPS BUSH: WARNS OF 'IRREPARABLE HARM' TO NATIONSen. Hillary Rodham Clinton blasts President Bush and his "radical" administration on Saturday for attempting to dismantle the "central pillars of progress in our country during the 20th century."
Clinton makes the comments to Saturday editions of the HOUSTON CHRONICLE, sources tell DRUDGE.
The former first lady says she has become convinced the Republican administration wants "to undo the New Deal," the Roosevelt-era policies that ushered in Social Security and a host of other governmental assistance programs.
She said that Bush, who campaigned as a "compassionate conservative" in 2000, had taken a "hard-right turn to pursue an extremist agenda" after moving into the White House.
"I don't know where it came from, but the fact is that this President Bush has not only been radical and extreme in terms of Democratic presidents but in terms of Republican presidents, including his own father," she says.
She believes Bush is beatable next year because his administration is "making America less free, fair, strong, smart than it deserves to be in a dangerous world."
"We have to change direction before irreparable harm is done," she adds.
"This administration is in danger of being the first in American history to leave our nation worse off than when they found it."
There are those who get it and those who don't. Those of you who actually buy into the lies of the Clintons deserve the country you get. Unfortunately, my children do not deserve it.
Woe to those who call evil good and good evil...
Like controversy? Check out the new Religion and Controversy board over at Dealofday.com. The conversation is heated, but it is also moderated by a very even-handed moderator. Recent topics include:
Dick Morris, longtime advisor to former embarrassment, er, President, Bill Clinton, has written an open letter to Hillary Clinton in response to her statement in her book of lies, Living History. Here is the letter in its entirity.
Setting the Record Straight
An open letter to Hillary Clinton.By Dick Morris
Dear Hillary,In your new book, Living History, you correctly note that when you asked me to help you and Bill avert defeat in the congressional election of 1994 I was reluctant to do so. But then you assert, incorrectly, that my reluctance stemmed from difficulties in working with your staff. You even misquote me as telling you: "I don't like the way I was treated, Hillary. People were so mean to me."
As you know, I never said anything of the sort. I had, in fact, no experience in dealing with either your staff or the President's at that point, and had not yet met Leon Panetta or George Stephanopoulos. My prior dealing with Harold Ickes had been twenty five years earlier.The real reason I was reluctant was that Bill Clinton had tried to beat me up in May of 1990 as he, you, Gloria Cabe, and I were together in the Arkansas governor's mansion. At the time, Bill was worried that he was falling behind his democratic primary opponent and verbally assaulted me for not giving his campaign the time he felt it deserved. Offended by his harsh tone, I turned and stalked out of the room.
Bill ran after me, tackled me, threw me to the floor of the kitchen in the mansion and cocked his fist back to punch me. You grabbed his arm and, yelling at him to stop and get control of himself, pulled him off me. Then you walked me around the grounds of the mansion in the minutes after, with your arm around me, saying, "He only does that to people he loves."
I continued to work for Bill since I felt a responsibility to do so until Election Day in 1990. But our relationship was never close and never the same. After the 1990 campaign we parted ways as a direct result of the altercation.
When the story threatened to surface during the 1992 campaign, you told me to "say it never happened."
That, and not the invented conversation in your memoir, was the reason that I was reluctant to work for Bill again.
Yours,
Dick Morris— Dick Morris, an adviser to Bill Clinton for 20 years, is author, most recently, of Off with Their Heads : Traitors, Crooks & Obstructionists in American Politics, Media & Business.
I'm fairly certain that Hillary's outright lie is the tip of the iceberg in her piece of fiction designed to make her look more attractive to unthinking people that would actually support her as a Presidential candidate. Pass the kool-aid, please.
Speaking at the John F. Kennedy Library and Museum here, Clinton questioned certain aspects of the 22nd Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which prevents a person from being elected president more than twice.
Clinton said the amendment, passed after Franklin D. Roosevelt was elected to a record fourth term, should be changed simply to keep a person from being elected to more than two consecutive terms as president.
"I think since people are living much longer ... the 22nd Amendment should probably be modified to say two consecutive terms instead of two terms for a lifetime," Clinton said.
The former president said such a change probably wouldn't apply to him but would benefit future generations.
"There may come a time when we elect a president at age 45 or 50, and then 20 years later the country comes up against the same kind of problems the president faced before," he said. "People would like to bring that man or woman back but they would have no way to do so."
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It amazes me how much nonsense this man spews. As if America would have voted him in for a third term? Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me. But fool me three times? "Hello, Pizza Hut? Yes, I'd like to order one frontal lobotomy pizza for the entire nation, hold the anchovies."
What do you think of Clinton's proposal? Good? Bad? Indifferent? Should he just shut up and go away?