Kerry: McCain's Judgment Is Dangerous

Says Republican Candidate Is A "Changed Man" For Siding With Bush On War, Economy, Energy

(CBS)  Sen. John Kerry believes that the presumptive Republican nominee for president is adhering to the Bush Administration orthodoxy in ways that call into question his carefully-nurtured image as a political maverick.

"John McCain has changed in profound and fundamental ways that I find personally really surprising, and frankly upsetting," the Democratic Senator from Massachusetts said on CBS' Face The Nation.

"This is a different John McCain. This is not the Senator John McCain; this is want-to-be president John McCain.

"And the result is that John McCain has flip-flopped on more issues than I was even ever accused possibly of thinking about! I mean, this is extraordinary what he's done: He's changed on taxes; he's now in favor of the Bush tax cut. If you like the Bush economy, if you like the Bush tax cut and what it's done to our economy, making wealthier people wealthier and the average middle class struggle harder, then John McCain is going to give you a third term of George Bush and Karl Rove.

"If you like what has happened to oil prices, John McCain is going to continue that policy. If you like what you see about health care, John McCain has no health care plan.

"I would have at least expected the John McCain that I knew back then to realize what almost every person in the Pentagon has admitted. There are very few who walk around and say, 'Going into Iraq was the right thing to do, and we should have done it, or do it again if I have the chance.' John McCain does.

"I'm challenging Senator McCain's judgment," Kerry said, "that says, 'There's no violent history between Sunni and Shia.' That's wrong. His judgment that says, 'This is going to increase the stability of the Middle East.' It hasn't, it's made it less stable. The judgment that says, quote, 'This will be the best thing for America and the world in a long time. It's the worst thing that we've done in a long time. And he's turned his [focus] away from Afghanistan and al Qaeda and made America less safe. That's dangerous for our country."

Kerry criticized McCain's continued support of the occupation, given the effect of a continuing presence of U.S. troops on the situation in Iraq and the region at large. He pointed to remarks by leaders in the Middle East who told him during a recent visit, "You, America, have served up to Iran Iraq on a platter."

"They are outraged by the ineptitude of what has been done by those who decided it was smart to go into Iraq," said Kerry, who feels the Republican Party is now in turmoil over the "reality" of McCain's position, which is that "he has a plan for staying in Iraq and Barack Obama has a plan for getting out of Iraq."

However, McCain supporter Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., said that McCain was right about the war.

"John understood we were losing in Iraq, quite frankly," Graham told host Bob Schieffer. "After Baghdad fell, we had the wrong strategy in place. And John, above anybody else in the country, spoke against his own administration, argued to Rumsfeld that we didn't have enough troops. So it's not just a few dead-enders. And he risked his own political career to turn it around."

Graham said Sen. Barack Obama was wrong to predict the "surge" would not work and that troops should be withdrawn. "The big test for this country is, how do you avoid losing in Iraq? If we'd have listened to Barack Obama, we would have lost. If we listen to him now, we will lose in the future and undercut all the gains we've made.

"We're winning because John McCain understood Iraq better than anybody else. The surge has worked. The political, economic and military progress in Iraq is undeniable.

"The biggest loser in Iraq is al Qaeda because the Muslims in Iraq joined with us and turned on them, and they've punished al Qaeda in Iraq. Any time a Muslim will take up arms against bin Laden's sympathizers, we're all safer.

"The only way we can lose this war now is to go down the road that Obama suggests," Graham said. "And that's pulling out, sending a signal to al Qaeda, 'Don't give up hope'; telling Iran, 'You can still feel the vacuum created in Iraq.'

"The enemy is on their knees and the only person talking in a way to get them off their knees is Barack Obama."

---

Read the full "Face the Nation" transcript here.

[oneamerican-]

There are today abundantly more signs of political progress by the Iraqi government - which was the predicted benefit of increased security brought by President Bushs'' surge of troops.

Hardened, closed-mind far-left liberals, like John Kerry, try as they might to "nuance" or outrightly deny this progress - only expose their hatred for America - and the fact that the Bush-bashers are rapidly losing their War on America.

You will be defeated, liberals - and Amercans will never forget how you sought to destroy our country for the sake of your own political gain.

[wardoglrs]

In the name of patriotism, we have participated in a planned deception to create a state of permanent war. In the name of profit, America has been sacrificed on the altar of the god of war, to create a global empire based on the mass-marketing of death.

[samthetvcat]

What does everybody else think about McCain palling around so much with Lindsay Graham and Lieberdork? I think they look like a pack of high-school girls who call each other to coordinate their outfits before they go to the mall so everybody will know they''re BFF''s. They''re like the 3 Stooges, or the 3 Amigos, or a boy-band.

It makes it hard to hear what Graham has to say as a surrogate imo

[samthetvcat]

And Kerry comes across as somebody hoping to give the GOP a taste of their own medicine, when really everybody''s thinking that the whole lot of them are flip-floppers - him, McCain, Barack, Hillary . . .

[bhphoto]

karry you still alive go home

[cold777]

What does everybody else think about McCain palling around so much with Lindsay Graham and Lieberdork? I think they look like a pack of high-school girls who call each other to coordinate their outfits before they go to the mall so everybody will know they''''re BFF''''s. They''''re like the 3 Stooges, or the 3 Amigos, or a boy-band.

It makes it hard to hear what Graham has to say as a surrogate imo


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by SamTheTVCat
======================================================
Graham is McCain''s personal butler and LIEberman is Mccain''s personal nanny.

[rushlimbaug4]

There are today abundantly more signs of political progress by the Iraqi government - which was the predicted benefit of increased security brought by President Bushs'''' surge of troops.

Hardened, closed-mind far-left liberals, like John Kerry, try as they might to "nuance" or outrightly deny this progress - only expose their hatred for America - and the fact that the Bush-bashers are rapidly losing their War on America.

You will be defeated, liberals - and Amercans will never forget how you sought to destroy our country for the sake of your own political gain.

Posted by OneAmerican- at 02:06 PM : Jul 06, 2008

Greetings Loyal Listener OneAMerican!

You are right! Opposition to Soviet Style nation building in the MIDDLE EAST IS evidence of Hatred for Freedom and Peace. No matter how many trillions of dollars and blood we need to build the Nation of Iraq it MUST BE DONE!! Even if our economy is damaged beyond repair to bring freedom and love the Pagan Heathen Camel JOckeys!!!

LIBZ!!!

[oneamerican-]

There are today abundantly more signs of political progress by the Iraqi government - which was the predicted benefit of increased security brought by President Bushs'' surge of troops.

Deaths in Iraq have fallen to levels below that of the war gainst the Taliban in Afghanistan, and peace, reconcilliation, the Iraqis themselves are returing to Iraq.

Hardened, closed-mind far-left liberals, like John Kerry, try as they might to "nuance" or outrightly deny this progress - only expose their hatred for America - and the fact that the Bush-bashers are rapidly losing their War on America.

You will be defeated, liberals - and Amercans will never forget how you sought to destroy our country for the sake of your own political gain.

[rhenz1]

One--very apt username, btw, you being the *one american* who still thinks the repugs are going to "defeat" anyone this fall...

[rhenz1]

"OneAmerican" is good, you being the *one american* who still thinks the repugs are going to "defeat" anyone this fall...

[edintex]

Who really CARES about what "has been" Kerrys opinion is on anything? He lost, is still a loser and should get over it.

[downtowner97]

We could have left Iraq weeks after unseating Saddam if we hadn''t dismantled thier infrastructure, sent home a half million Iraqi soldiers without pay, and propped up thieves like Chalabi to run the place. The war was botched in every possible way, and the only reason things are calming down now is because of attrition of the fighting age men in Iraq. We have left Iraq in ruins, and now we''re dividing the oil between the largest oil companies in the world.

Bush supporters say they want a democracy in Iraq, but a simple vote there or here on whether we should still be in Iraq would result in a landslide against Bush and company.

[downtowner97]

Bush is polling at or under 30% approval ratings even in Fox polls. How can anyone think that a man who promises to continue his policies can win a general election?

[grammawhamma]

John Kerry. ROFLMAO!

[trbundro1277]

Who really CARES about what "has been" Kerrys opinion is on anything? He lost, is still a loser and should get over it.

Posted by edintex at 02:31 PM : Jul 06, 2008
*** Bush stole the election!

[mart7lin]

Not all of us is willing to give everything to Iraq,a hugely miscalculated war. Bby the time Bush and McCain get finished this country will look like Iraq (crumbling infrastructure, starving American children, no health care, etc). Our trillions need to spent on saving America.

[lorinkundert]

So why should anyone listen to a loser like Kerry?

[j_davis_meeb]

I just don''t understand. If McCain were indeed such an outstanding candidate, why didn''t the GOP deliver him in 2000 and 2004? The country could have used a good president then.

-Bush supporters say they want a democracy in Iraq

Posted by downtowner97 at 02:31 PM : Jul 06, 2008

Yeah, they say that but... this occupation was never about Mohamed the rug maker not being able to vote for Habbib the camel saleman.

[trbundro1277]

Bush is polling at or under 30% approval ratings even in Fox polls. How can anyone think that a man who promises to continue his policies can win a general election?
Posted by downtowner97 at 02:33 PM : Jul 06, 2008
*** Because they fix elections anyways! 2000 and 2004 general elections were set ups! No way would Bush have beaten either Democrat! Heck, Kerry was up atleast 4 points the day before the election. Even though Bush''s approval rating is around 30 percent, there is still 50 percent of americans that would be dumb enough to still vote for him. Thats the sad part! Most people say even though they hate bush they still wouldn''t have voted for Kerry. We should have had Edwards as our candidate 4 years ago. He would have beat Bush in every single state by atleast 4 points! If we were smart, we would have made Edwards our Candidate this year. However, in Iowa, Obama had all his friends from Illinois drive over and vote in the Iowa caucuses! Edwards should have won Iowa, and then other states would have lined up behind him once he proved he could win. We have a history of electing the wrong nominee! I''m still voting for Obama, he would be smart to take Edwards as his vp!

[trbundro1277]

So why should anyone listen to a loser like Kerry?
Posted by lorinkundert at 02:41 PM : Jul 06, 2008
*** Why is anyone listening to a loser like Bush or amnesty Mccain? Let alone vote for those losers!

[slader99]

lol woohoo, go Kerry. You all watch. The Republicans are going to cry about this one, like the staggeringly irrelevant citizens theyre now becoming :)

[bookout2]

John Kerry is a loser. He is bitter. I don''t like
John McCain either, but, he is a better choice than
Barack Obama. Lets face it all of them will say any-
thing and do anyting to get elected. With Barack
Obama, the white house will become the black house.
Wouldn''t suprise me, if Fal Al Sharpton was appointed
Secretary of State. No, wait a minute Imus would
take care of him.

[slader99]

BOOKOUT, nothing you said was relevant. Youre paranoid too. If you were put on a talk show, theyd laugh you off :)

[cold777]

So why should anyone listen to a loser like Kerry?


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by lorinkundert
======================================================
Cuz he isn''t a loser like Bush and McBush.

[slader99]

ONEAMERICAN not remembering or understand that not was Al Qaeda not in Iraq, but the Bush administration has been the best recruiting tool for them.

You Republicans have to get used to Barack as your new president :) You all have a good day :)

[BlueInWI]

How could anyone listen to a man that married into money like John Kerry?...

Ohh, forgot... McSame divorced his first wife and married a $150,000,000 beer distributor heiress... McSame is part of the American elite with his 10 homes.

Kerry''s ''flip flops'' are *nothing* compared to McSame''s. Whatever happened to McSame''s ''false'' outrage over wartime tax cuts?...

[oneamerican-]

There are today abundantly more signs of political progress by the Iraqi government - which was the predicted benefit of increased security brought by President Bushs'' surge of troops.

Deaths in Iraq have fallen to levels below that of the war gainst the Taliban in Afghanistan, and peace, reconcilliation, and the Iraqis themselves are returing to Iraq.

Hardened, closed-minded far-left liberals, like Barack Obama, try as they might to "nuance" or outrightly deny this progress - only expose their hatred for America - and the fact that the Bush-bashers are rapidly losing their War on America.

You will be defeated, liberals - and Amercans will never forget how you sought to destroy our country for the sake of your own political gain.

Get the REAL story that the liberals won''t admit to-

OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM:
www.mnf-iraq.com

[j_davis_meeb]

-The Republicans are going to cry about this one

Posted by SLADER99 at 02:46 PM : Jul 06, 2008

The GOP always cries. They want to be the ones who decide what is fair game. They want to be the ones to decide what is off limits. It won''t wash this time around. General Wesley Clark was right, riding in a fighter aircraft and being shot down does not qualify one to be president.

[cbs4me3]

Worthless. What could he possibility know about good judgment. He tried to recruit John McCain as a democrat, but McCain showed sound judgment in rejecting his plea. Pathetic.

[gkc99]

"So why should anyone listen to a loser like Kerry"--Posted by lorinkundert



Why should anybody listen to losers like Bushit and the Republican party?

Answer: They''re not. Repugs are in for a major a$$-whuppin.

Oh what a beautiful day!

[gkc99]

"You will be defeated, liberals - and Amercans will never forget how you sought to destroy our country for the sake of your own political gain. "--Posted by OneAmerican-


Naaah! We''re too busy remembering how you Bushit Repug Fascist Traitors have tried to destroy America just to make fat payoffs for Bushit''s billionaires.

Repugs are toast.

Hooray!

[gkc99]

McCain is a loser--he lost to George Bushit.

So now Repugs are desperately trying to save their candy a$$es from a wipeout, and they pick the loser.

[gkc99]

Between the smirks, the quirks, and the flip-flops, it is clear that John McCain is having an identity crisis.

His Senatorship was bought and paid for by his rich **** blondie wife. McCain has never earned a thing in his life. And Cindy didn''t earn it either--she just lucked into it by being born into the Right White Waspy AB fortune.

This is the first time McCain''s ever really been exposed to full view.

And it''s not a pretty picture--McCain''s squirming like an earthworm under a spotlight.

[j_davis_meeb]

-Get the REAL story that the liberals won''''t admit to-

Posted by OneAmerican- at 02:56 PM : Jul 06, 2008

Any serious study of the events at hand will reveal the issue is more complex than liberal vs. conservative, us vs. them, black-white, on-off etc.

Let me put it in terms you can understand. Binary thinking is the primary attribute of a machine or a moron. Which are you?

[txgrouch2006]

That''s funny - Kerry didn''t seem so concerned about McCain when HE ASKED MCCAIN TO BE HIS RUNNING MATE in the 2004 election.

Kerry also didn''t seem concerned that he''s a Democrat and McCain is Republican...

[markb3699]

Take off your blinders and wake up Conservatives! It doesn''t matter whether the surge is working. We''ve lost the world''s respect because of our ill conceived Iraq policy. Who says the surge is working and by what measurement? Just because there''s fewer fatalities in Baghdad, doesn''t mean we''re winning. The people who are telling us the surge is working are in the government, the same people who brought to you a bad war. Read some of the independent journalists and you''ll find out the real story. Dare ya. Or would you just rather blindly follow the jerks who run your party than know the truth?

[mudcatii]

Mr. Schieffer, I know you had a rough couple of shows with Wolfson and McAulliffe but you have had your Paris vacation and should be refreshed so it is time for you to take charge of Face The Nation. When your guest start rambling on and on just cut them off do continue to be polite and keep repeating %u201CLet Me%u201D Remember Mr. Schieffer you are the host it is your show and you have an extended contract to prove it. An individual of your experience and intelligence knows that we cannot win in Iraq and that the idea is an allusion. You allowed Mr. Graham to go on and on spouting that none sense about the success of the surge meanwhile the bodies keep piling up. If this war is so critical to our survival why didn%u2019t Mr. Graham call for a draft?

[jn122736]

I am an independent but whenever Kerry speaks, I feel better about McCain.

I think that little of John Kerry''''s insight, discernment and wisdom.

If Obama was smart he would get a better person speaking for him.

Kerry is still working out his anger toward Bush and it clouds any opinion he has.

Posted by ojama at 02:35 PM : Jul 06, 2008
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

ojama;

Independents are generally more open-minded than hardcore republicans or democrats and, while I can understand how Kerry''s statements might effect how you feel about him, I fail to see how that should effect how you feel about McCain one way or another.

Also, a true independent would never choose a racially biased moniker like %u201Cojama%u201D.

[mudcatii]

In your closing remarks you said that the American Revolution succeeded against the most powerful nation on earth. However, you failed to mention that we had the support of the French and the British like the United States forces in Iraq was a hired army. We can kill a lot more people, remember Viet Nam, but like that unfortunate experience, we cannot win in Iraq no matter how much military success that we enjoy momentarily. Mr. Graham knows it but for political expediency he and others are promoting the idea of winning. However, Senator McCain, unlike his supporters genuinely believes that winning is possible and he is willing to make whatever sacrifices it may require to make it a reality. Mr. Schieffer, take charge and stop your guest from rambling and force them to succinctly answer your questions and when they do not cut them off remember you are hosting political discussions which will impact the future of our country not conducting a meeting of the Sunday Morning Etiquette Society. Remember Mr. Schieffer YOU ARE THE MAN.

[omega39-2009]

"You will be defeated, liberals - and Amercans will never forget how you sought to destroy our country for the sake of your own political gain. "--Posted by OneAmerican-

You really are one stupid POS. Just about everything wrong with this economy is the result of Bush and his merry band of rubber stampers, while imbeciles like you stood on the sidelines cheering and waving the "shirt". You''re name fits you beautifully oneAmerican, it''s all about you and not your country.

[rowdywicca]

That''''s funny - Kerry didn''''t seem so concerned about McCain when HE ASKED MCCAIN TO BE HIS RUNNING MATE in the 2004 election.

Kerry also didn''''t seem concerned that he''''s a Democrat and McCain is Republican...




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Posted by txgrouch2006 at 03:14 PM : Jul 06, 2008

LMAO! EXACTLY! NOW THIS IS HILARIOUS!

[dong14-2009]

Now that takes the cake. kerry dont have any business saying McCains judgement is dangerous. kerry threw away his medals and is a just about a traitor as far as im concerned just like all demorats. he had a news crew with him when he was in nam just so he coudl use it later and the men who served with him have nothing good to say. McCain is a war hero and kerry is a rich elitist. he should just shut up and go back to boston with all his liberal buddies. real Americans can see through his garbage. hes a loser that has no businses telling a real Amerian hero like john Mccain anything. im sick of all the liberal bs. thats what got us where we are. the liberals like kerry should be ashamed of what they have done to our coutnry. kerry would have been the worst thing that could have happened ot American just like obama would be. we cant afford to let the demorats back in the white house. obama would sell this country our to his muslum buddies and wed all be speakin arabic. GO MCCAIN!

[chitown639]

That''''s funny - Kerry didn''''t seem so concerned about McCain when HE ASKED MCCAIN TO BE HIS RUNNING MATE in the 2004 election.

Kerry also didn''''t seem concerned that he''''s a Democrat and McCain is Republican...




--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by txgrouch2006

Well, if you had actully READ the article above, you would know that Kerry expressed that, ''John McCain has changed in profound and fundamental ways that I find personally really surprising, and frankly upsetting.'' The John McCain of 2004 isnt the John McCain of 2008, he is now a Bush clone and has flip-flopped on every issue to appeal to the Republican base.

[j_mcdouglas]

John McCain is on his knees...

begging Cindy for more allowance money to spend at the craps tables.

http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1819898,00.html

[rowdywicca]

I''m surprised this wimp loser even shows his face after he didn''t even have the kahonas to defend himself!!

[mjimih]

What if they asked Lindsey to get on his knees for them with no hope of getting up? The country is ruined by us staying there. It is time to pull combat out and leave engineers and equipment to help iRAQI WORKERS to rebuild, if they ask us to. I hope they do, so we can redeem ourselves from this terrible mistake that is the Bush War.

[prosanto-2009]

Sen. Graham, Even if Sen. Obama was wrong on the Surg, no life was maimed or lost and a $ wasted unlike GOP -the Grand Oil Party''s of blunders. White males want to win to command and control others, they even transformed a dark haired, black eyed Palistinian, named Jesus, to blue eyed golden brown haired white man. How dumb!

[prosanto-2009]

Sen. Graham, Even if Sen. Obama was wrong on the Surg, no life was maimed or lost and a $ wasted unlike GOP -the Grand Oil Party''s of blunders. White males want to win to command and control others, they even transformed a dark haired, black eyed Palistinian, named Jesus, to blue eyed golden brown haired white man. How dumb!

[rowdywicca]

Well, if you had actully READ the article above, you would know that Kerry expressed that, ''''John McCain has changed in profound and fundamental ways that I find personally really surprising, and frankly upsetting.'''' The John McCain of 2004 isnt the John McCain of 2008, he is now a Bush clone and has flip-flopped on every issue to appeal to the Republican base.


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Posted by chitown639 at 03:25 PM : Jul 06, 2008

In other words a bunch of jibber jabber to defend his own position of asking McCain to be his running mate!!!

What an assssss!

[j_mcdouglas]

The surge has not "worked."

That''s the biggest load of garbage ever.

The goals of the surge were political as well as military, as stated when it was started.

The surge has been a total failure by the very standards the Bush admin used when they started it.

Every time we secure an area, we lose control of another area we already secured... simply because we don''t have enough boots on the ground.

The only way Republicans can secure the entire country for US control is to institute a draft and put massive numbers of Americans on the ground.

And they simply don''t have the courage to do that.