WHY JOHN KERRY OPPOSED FUNDING OUR TROOPS
One Question, Five Months, Many Answers,
Including One Really Confusing One
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Sen. Kerry, You Voted Against $87 Billion To Provide Body Armor For Troops In Combat, Higher Combat Pay, And Better Health Care For Reservists And Their Families. Why?
March 16, 2004
“I actually did vote for the $87 billion before I voted against it.” (Richard W. Stevenson and Adam Nagourney, “Bush’s Campaign Emphasizes Role Of Leader In War,” The New York Times, 3/17/04)
March 6, 2004
“‘That $87 billion has nothing to do with the preparatory money’ for such supplies, Kerry said in an interview with Fox News Channel.” (Patrick Healy, “In Swipe At Bush, Kerry Says Us Troops In Iraq Ill Prepared,” The Boston Globe, 3/7/04)
January 31, 2004
Kerry “wanted part of the money to come from rolling back GOP-backed tax cuts.” (Patrick Healy, “As Campaign Heats Up, Veterans Taking Sides,” The Boston Globe, 2/1/04)
January 16, 2004
“[T]he [vote] reflected his conviction that American troops would be more at risk if Congress paid for a reconstruction plan so ill-considered that it risked ‘leaving behind a failed state.’” (David E. Sanger, “Democrats Split On Security, But Agree In Faulting Bush,” The New York Times, 1/17/04)
October 26, 2003
“‘This president has done it wrong every step of the way,’ Kerry said. ‘He broke every promise and he’s done it wrong every step of the way. I’m not going to vote for him to continue to do it wrong.’” (Andrew Miga and David R. Guarino, “Iraq Viewpoint Dominates Dem Detroit Debate,” Boston Herald, 10/27/03)
October 25, 2003
Kerry “said he opposes Bush’s $87 billion spending request because of the administration’s failure to internationalize the reconstruction effort and ‘take the target off of American troops.’” (“The Democratic Presidential Candidates On The Issues At Sunday's Debate,” The Associated Press, 10/26/03)
October 23, 2003
“Now there’s a clear track record and a clearer set of very bad choices, and I’m voting against those choices.” (David M. Halbfinger, “Kerry Still Nagged By Questions On Vote To Authorize Iraq War,” The New York Times, 10/24/03)
October 17, 2003
Kerry Voted Against Senate Passage Of Iraq/Afghanistan Reconstruction Package. (S. 1689, CQ Vote #400: Passed 87-12: R 50-0; D 37-11; I 0-1, 10/17/03, Kerry Voted Nay)
“‘My vote is a clear statement, making it absolutely clear that this president has not pursued the best policy . . . to make our troops safe,’ Kerry said.” (Susan Milligan, “Among White House Hopefuls, It’s 3 Opposed, 2 In Favor,” The Boston Globe, 10/18/03)
October 16, 2003
“Presidential hopeful Sen. John F. Kerry said he opposed the funding because he believes Bush has not put forward an adequate plan to protect troops and bring in other nations to help and because the money comes at the expense of domestic priorities.” (Noelle Straub, “Kennedy Out To Kill Iraq Fund,” Boston Herald, 10/17/03) |
