Reply #45: Kerry Could Have Stopped The War? [View All]

[DrFunkenstein]

"Before Mr. Gephardt decided to cave in on the war resolution, Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle, had hoped to make the Biden-Lugar resolution the basis of a vote in the Senate. That now appears unlikely. Mr. Biden said Wednesday that he was a realist and knew that the new compromise, ballyhooed Wednesday afternoon in the White House Rose Garden, pretty much meant the end of his approach."

http://www.commondreams.org/views02/1003-01.htm

Kerry was aware that this was the only vote that was going to happen and it was going to win by a big majority, despite all his protestations.

Biden realized that there was no further negotiations possible. All that was left was trying to vote the position closest to the one he held. As Kerry had been arguing for disarmament since the late 90's, he chose to defend America against a long-term (not imminent) threat, despite his misgivings. Even Dean said something along the same lines:

Russert: ...and I'll show it to you. You said in January, Governor, "I would be surprised if Saddam Hussein didn't have chemicals and biological weapons."

http://www.demog.berkeley.edu/~gabriel/dean2004blog/Dean_MTP_June_22_2003.htm