Top Dem: Kerry to Hit Bush on Iraq (5 Soldier's Mothers to appear)

[kskiska]

Mothers of troops to help 'tell the truth,' McAuliffe says

(CNN) -- Mothers of U.S. troops serving in Iraq will help Democratic presidential candidate Sen. John Kerry make the case Monday that President Bush's optimistic view of the war does not reflect reality, Democratic National Committee Chairman Terry McAuliffe said Sunday.

Kerry will make a "major address" on the issue at New York University, where at least five mothers of service members will criticize Bush's leadership in Iraq, McAuliffe told reporters in a conference call.

"They're sick and tired of George W. Bush and his rosy scenarios," he said. "They want America to know the truth, because they're talking to their sons and daughters" who have told them that Bush "is not telling the truth."

McAuliffe said the United States is "stuck in a quagmire" -- paying 90 percent of the costs of the war and suffering 90 percent of the casualties.

more…
http://www.cnn.com/2004/ALLPOLITICS/09/19/kerry.bush.iraq/

[The_Casual_Observer]

1. Let's hope that they don't discredit these moms

out of the gate. I know they will, but one can hope anyway.

[Gloria]

2. Does Kerry have to put these women out there? I mean, you know

the GOP will trot out their own group who support this mess...

Frankly, it will be attacked as a "stunt" exploiting these women by the GOP and the echo chamber will take over.

Why can't he get up there and lay it all out, with Wes Clark adding some comments?

I don't like this. It would be different if these women spoke as part of that group that has been on CSPAN ( I forget the name of it) or spoke to groups on the campaign trail.

Or if Kerry first made his case....and maybe they came forward later on.
But the timing of this seems off to me....

[coloradodem2005]

4. Don't these women have a choice?

They don't have to appear with Kerry. Furthermore, The GOP will trot out their own group regardless of what Kerry does. This way, Kerry is more effective in making his case. He will need people like Clark too, but now you are talking to people who were effected by this and are mad enough that they want Bush out. I know it sounds bad but we need to drive this home.

[Guaranteed]

7. The women will be able to speak for themselves.

And the fact that they think that Kerry, not Bush, is the one who can help them out of this mess will be a great thing.

[Hilary08]

12. I agree, I don't like this at all either.

The GOP has already trotted out their own in this area, only, not as noticably.

If Kerry makes an issue of it, you know the Repukes will bring out their ammo too. And speaking from the perspective of the average (translation: uninformed) voter, a widow and her child, or parents, beseeching that we support this homocidal circus in Iraq so that their family member did not die in vain but in courage..... to the AVERAGE viewer, that is very powerful.


Kerry needs to hit Bush where it hurts: THE FRIGGIN ECONOMY! All Kerry's been doing is singing about freakin 'Nam and Iraq, and look where it got him: Dem states move into the SWING column?! We could not HAND Kerry a worse economy!!

The economy is down. 45 million uninsured. Interest rates hiking. Etcetera. If this was Hilary's race -- you know she'd have racked up 270 electoral votes by now.

[JDPriestly]

3. If my child were in Iraq,

I would be grateful for the opportunity to speak out for my child. Who cares what shills for Bush may say.

[pacalo]

5. If either of my two sons were in Iraq, nobody would have to twist my arm

to shout the truth from the rooftops. And I could care less about what the KoolAid thugs thought about it.

[Guaranteed]

6. This is a great move by Kerry.

These personal testimonials go a long way with the idiotic types of people who don't already support Kerry.

[Eye and Monkey]

8. GI moms get arrested at Bush rally, they get the podium at Kerry's

[Sleepless In NY]

9. Facts will bear these moms & Kerry out

Hagel, McCain, criticizing bush now (see links below) for not being honest about whats going on in Iraq. Great Move by Kerry.

Group Offers Bush Bleak Iraq Assessment
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20040916/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/us_iraq&cid=542&ncid=716

Senators Urge Bush to Rethink Iraq Policy
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20040920/ap_on_go_co/us_iraq&cid=512&ncid=716

Bush failing to admit Iraq's worsening situation: Washington Post
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story2&u=afp/us_iraq_bush_press


It's Worse Than You Think
As Americans debate Vietnam, the U.S. death toll tops 1,000 in Iraq. And the insurgents are still getting stronger
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5973272/site/newsweek

Next I'd like too see Kerry with the "Jersey Girls" talking about 9/11, that ought just about bury bush.
‘He Can Make Us Safe’
A prominent 9/11 widow—and former Republican—explains why she now wants Kerry to win the White House race
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6030699/site/newsweek

House GOP to Reject 9/11 Recommendation
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20040917/ap_on_go_co/congress_intelligence&e=1

Bush Unveils Intel Plan, Falls Short of 9/11 Panel
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/nm/20040917/us_nm/security_intelligence_bush_dc&e=12&ncid=1896

White House Wants to Cut FAA Budget
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story2&u=ap/faa_budget

[Voltaire99]

10. I agree -- and it is one of Kerry's last chances

This is one of Kerry's final chances to distinguish himself from Bush on Iraq, and to capitalize on the growing disillusionment with the war.

He will gain nothing if he simply goes out there and says again, 'Oh, I'd have invaded really differently, and now I will get allies to replace us, blah blah blah.' Nobody wants to hear that. It excites no one. People want to hear that he has a solution to get US troops out now, and he should season that t-bone with fear: something along the lines of 'Bush will never get us out of Iraq and he will only send more US servicemen to their deaths.' He should repeat the draft accusation, too.

Don't blow it, John.

[DeadHead67]

11. Remember what happened to Mrs.Niederer (Gold Star Mother) . . . . .

. . .DRAGGED AWAY IN CHAINS!!! For confronting Laura Bush.

[Moderator]

13. Duplicate

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=839691