Compassionate conservatism

Who would have thought we'd ever see the day? Presidential candidates helping their opponents compete for office... I can't help but feel that the world is on track to a warm and fuzzy place. Bush-Cheney '04 has written a briefing book to help the tragically conflicted Senator Kerry prep for the debates. Oh - oh, that does it, now I'm verklempt - read amongst yourselves.

Issue:Iraq
Your Current Position
The removal of Saddam Hussein has left America less secure. You are currently against the war and wouldn't have gone to war, but you used to be for the war before you were against the war before you were for the war.

Your Record
You voted for “the wrong war, in the wrong place, at the wrong time.” Now you say the war you voted for made us “less safe.”

You said voting against the funding for the war would be “irresponsible.” That was before you voted against the funds.

You said “it would be naïve to the point of grave danger” not to confront Saddam Hussein.

During the Democrat primaries, you said, “I think it was the right decision to disarm Saddam Hussein, and when the President made the decision, I supported him, and I support the fact that we did disarm him.” That was before the surge of Howard Dean led you to declare yourself an “anti-war” candidate.

You are saying your vote for the war was a vote to “authorize” war so America could send a united message to Saddam. But don't forget in 1991 you said, “This is not a vote about a message. It is a vote about war.”

You are saying the removal of Saddam Hussein has left America “less secure.” Unfortunately, you also told Howard Dean, “Those who doubted whether Iraq or the world would be better off without Saddam Hussein, and those who believe we are not safer with his capture, don't have the judgment to be president or the credibility to be elected president.”

You are saying the U.S. is spending too much money on Iraq, but in August 2003, you said we need to increase funding for Iraq “by whatever number of billions of dollars it takes to win.”

You refused to take a position on whether or not the war you voted for was “illegal.”

You have said knowing everything you know now, you still would have voted for the war but knowing everything we know now the war was a mistake.

Your Attacks
Pretend like no position you have ever taken matters. Political opportunity, pessimism and the implication of inevitable defeat is the key here. Nobody knows what you really believe anyway.

Nothing new here, really - but I imagine that Kerry would find the compiled reference work valuable.