Remember this?

[cynatnite]

September 30, 2004 Presidential Debate

BUSH: Actually, we've increased funding for dealing with nuclear proliferation about 35 percent since I've been the president. Secondly, we've set up what's called the -- well, first of all, I agree with my opponent that the biggest threat facing this country is weapons of mass destruction in the hands of a terrorist network. And that's why proliferation is one of the centerpieces of a multi-prong strategy to make the country safer.

Kerry says this about N. Korea:

KERRY: With respect to Iran, the British, French, and Germans were the ones who initiated an effort without the United States, regrettably, to begin to try to move to curb the nuclear possibilities in Iran. I believe we could have done better. I think the United States should have offered the opportunity to provide the nuclear fuel, test them, see whether or not they were actually looking for it for peaceful purposes. If they weren't willing to work a deal, then we could have put sanctions together. The president did nothing.

With respect to North Korea, the real story: We had inspectors and television cameras in the nuclear reactor in North Korea. Secretary Bill Perry negotiated that under President Clinton. And we knew where the fuel rods were. And we knew the limits on their nuclear power.

Colin Powell, our secretary of state, announced one day that we were going to continue the dialog of working with the North Koreans. The president reversed it publicly while the president of South Korea was here.

And the president of South Korea went back to South Korea bewildered and embarrassed because it went against his policy. And for two years, this administration didn't talk at all to North Korea.

While they didn't talk at all, the fuel rods came out, the inspectors were kicked out, the television cameras were kicked out. And today, there are four to seven nuclear weapons in the hands of North Korea.

That happened on this president's watch.

Now, that, I think, is one of the most serious, sort of, reversals or mixed messages that you could possibly send.

http://www.debates.org/pages/trans2004a.html

[blm]

1. And media didn't see anything about that worth discussing much at the time

Did they?

[babylonsister]

2. I sure do. Kerry was worried, and rightly so. Thanks for the reminder! nt

[NVMojo]

3. thanks for posting this ...I've emailed it everywhere ...

[Erika]

4. W has clearly endangered the world

with his stubborness and arrogance on meeting with the North Koreans.

[cynatnite]

5. We're safer now...post 9/11 and all that

:sarcasm:

[Amonester]

14. Yep! Just become a "born again" and wait for the rapture.

And just watch the PNAC crackpots make it happen on purpose...

Ain't it "sweet" of 'em. :sarcasm:

[Rhiannon12866]

6. K&R. Yikes! I sure do! Thanks! This is very important... n/t

[ginnyinWI]

7. another "Kerry Was Right" moment. n/t

[Marr]

8. And in six hours, Rush Limbaugh will be blaming it all on Clinton.

[cui bono]

9. Fascinating to read now after seeing how Bush's second term played out nt

[blm]

10. The media put its emphasis on all the INCONSEQUENTIAL issues and NONE

on the really serious matters that Kerry raised constantly throughout the campaign.

[Gabi Hayes]

12. huh? what do you mean?

WHAT on EARTH could be more important than with which candidate you'd rather have a beer?

or which candidate had the nicer wife?

or which candidate spent more money on his haircuts?

or which candidate had more houses?

or which candidate participated in more proletarian sports?

do you miss media whores online much?

or what?

[MsMagnificent]

11. We've been punishing John Mark Kerr (Iraq) while

we've let Son of Sam (N. Korea) run free.

That's what happens when blind bullies (read: Cowards) run the country.

[Little Star]

13. I want a president smarter than me!!! n/t