War Of Words Over War In Iraq

Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry on Wednesday marked the first anniversary of the war in Iraq by criticizing President Bush for failed policies "with no end in sight." Vice President Dick Cheney fired back, saying Kerry lacked the judgment to be commander in chief.

"Today we know that the mission is not finished, hostilities have not ended, and our men and women in uniform fight on almost alone with the target squarely on their backs," Kerry said at George Washington University. "Every day they face danger and death from suicide bombers, roadside bombers, and now, ironically, from the very Iraqi police they are training."

As Kerry spoke, an explosion at a Baghdad hotel left more than two dozen dead, several injured and others buried beneath the rubble. Kerry said Mr. Bush's use of the armed services has been reckless and has left the military spread far too thin.

"We are still bogged down in Iraq and the administration stubbornly holds to failed policies that drive potential allies away. What we have seen is a steady loss of lives and mounting cost in dollars with no end in sight," he said. "The lesson here is fundamental: At times, conflict comes, and the decision must be made. For a president, the decision may be lonely, but that does not mean that America should go it alone."

Kerry also proposed a "Military Families Bill of Rights" for fully funded health care and other benefits for veterans, faulting Mr. Bush for failing to uphold promises to those who served in the armed forces.

Even before Kerry uttered a word of his speech, the Bush campaign made a pre-emptive strike, declaring Kerry "wrong" for military families and accusing him of voting against increased pay and better housing, reports CBS News White House Correspondent Mark Knoller.

More denunciations of Kerry and his policies came later in the day from Vice President Cheney. In a speech at the Ronald Reagan Library in Simi Valley, California, he questioned whether Kerry can be a steady leader in standing by Iraq and pursuing the war on terror.

Citing a series of Kerry votes on foreign policy, military weapons and other military programs, Cheney said "it is not an impressive record for someone who aspires to become commander in chief in this time of testing for our country."

Cheney said Kerry "has been one vote of 100 in the United States Senate and fortunately on matters of national security he was very often in the minority.

"But the presidency is an entirely different proposition. The president always casts the deciding vote and the senator from Massachusetts has given us ample doubts about his judgment and the attitude he brings to bear on vital issues of national security."

In his speech, Kerry contended that veterans were "the neglected soldiers of America," and said proposals by the Bush administration would drive 500,000 veterans from the health care system of the Veterans Administration by 2005.

Kerry, a decorated Navy veteran of the Vietnam War, said supporting veterans touches on the character of the nation and its people. "To me, guaranteeing these rights and organizing our armed forces accordingly is personal, it is in my soul and it's been a large part of my life," he said.

He was joined during the speech by former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright and former Defense Secretary William Perry. He also got the endorsement of former Joint Chiefs chairman Gen. John Shalikashvili.

The speech was part of Kerry's effort to cast his campaign in terms of his war-hero background and, at the same time, deflect criticism over his vote in the Senate against an $87 billion funding bill for military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. He also has been criticized for his assertion that some foreign leaders hope he defeats Mr. Bush in November.

Republicans, including the president and vice president, have demanded that Kerry identify the leaders, but Kerry has refused.

At least one foreign leader, Spain's Prime Minister-elect Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, has indicated his dislike of Mr. Bush's policies. During the Spanish election campaign, he said he hoped Kerry would win in November. The International Herald Tribune recently quoted Zapatero as saying, "We're aligning ourselves with Kerry. Our allegiance will be for peace, against war, no more deaths for oil, and for a dialogue between the government of Spain and the new Kerry administration."

Following Wednesday's speech, Kerry was to begin a five-day vacation in Ketchum, Idaho.