AP: John Kerry Dismisses Rumsfeld Apology for Abuse

[flpoljunkie]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A8536-2004May7.html

By MIKE GLOVER
The Associated Press
Friday, May 7, 2004; 3:11 PM

PHOENIX - Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry on Friday dismissed Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld's apology for U.S. abuses of Iraqi prisoners and said the responsibility lies with the commander in chief. "The chain of command goes all the way to the Oval Office," Kerry said. "Harry Truman did not say 'the buck stops at the Pentagon.'"

Kerry issued a broad challenge to Bush's conduct of the war on terror in remarks to the centrist-leaning Democratic Leadership Council, saying a strong foreign policy means "taking responsibility for the bad and good" and accusing the Bush administration of talking tough but bumbling.

Although Bush apologized on Thursday for the abuse of Iraqi prisoners and Rumsfeld apologized Friday during a session with the Senate Armed Services Committee, Kerry said they should have moved far faster. The administration had to be pressured into acknowledging its responsibility, he said.

"We need a president who understands the difference between strength and stubbornness," he said.

more...

[physioex]

1. To accept an apology from a person....

There needs to be the concept of honor. People like Rummy and El Drugbo never had any. Remember his comments about a black quarterback?

[MessiahRp]

2. That was Rush..

Not Rumsfeld that dissed a black quarterback. But yeah none of these guys have any honor. What the hell has happened to our country when it can be proven that every word out of a President and his advisors mouths are lies or untruths and yet we still find him with a near 50% approval rating.

This guy should have been impeached early on but a good 50% of the American public have turned into the blind Nazi Germany residents who follow their leader ignorantly no matter how wrong he is.

Somehow this reminds me of their call to back "our President" after Bush beat Gore in the Supreme Court and those same people never got off that kick and refused to listen to anything the idiot did since then.

Rp

[mgarretson]

3. rock on!!

"The chain of command goes all the way to the Oval Office," Kerry said. "Harry Truman did not say 'the buck stops at the Pentagon."

Outstanding quote!! that was my thought exactly... It's Bush's Administration... he's ultimately responsible... Let Rummy take the fall for this if he wants but we shouldn't forget Truman's age old saying...

Kerry speech writers, at least for today, :yourock:

[ibegurpard]

4. Good

Now please don't back away from it or try to soft-pedal it.