Kerry: GOP should condemn comments from Boehner
Kerry condemned comments from Rep. John Boehner.
(CNN)–In the same week that partisan debate has raged over an ad Moveon.org published regarding General David Petraeus, the top American military commander in Iraq, Senator John Kerry says people should be equally outraged by comments this week from House Minority Leader John Boehner.
In an interview with Boehner this past Wednesday, CNN's Wolf Blitzer asked Boehner how much longer U.S. taxpayers would have to endure the cost of the war, as well the loss of American soldiers. "We need to continue our effort here," the Republican from Ohio said, "because long term the investment that we're making today will be a small price if we're able to stop Al Qaeda here, if we're able to stabilize the Middle East."
Kerry seized on those comments before reporters following his appearance Sunday on NBC's 'Meet the Press.' "The Republicans seem very quick to jump on that [Moveon.org ad] and many of us have expressed our disapproval of it," the Democrat from Massachusetts said. "But they completely avoid the comments of Representative John Boehner who says that for our troops dying in Iraq is a small price to pay for what we might gain in the long run.
"Assure him that for any parent, it is not a small price for any community in America that's been attending those funerals, it is not a small price, and I'd like to see the Republicans show the same kind of outrage that they seem to reserve for partisan purposes for as outrageous a comment as that, that suggests dying in Iraq is a small price." He said.
A spokesman for Boehner said the comments were being misinterpreted.
"Wolf asked about the money spent in Iraq, and that’s what Mr. Boehner was referring to when he said our troops’ efforts are critical for the safety and security of our country," Kevin Smith, a spokesman for Rep. Boehner, told CNN on Sunday. "There isn’t a Member of Congress who appreciates the sacrifices of our troops more than Mr. Boehner, and that’s why he visited Iraq last week to thank our troops for their service on behalf of our country."
Kerry was the 2004 Democratic nominee for president.
- CNN Political Desk Editor Jamie Crawford
Related story: Kerry: Move.org is 'over the top'
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Prahub… You obviously didn’t read the article. Must be that you are so blinded by your own political affiliation that you look to attack anyone that criticizes a Democrat. Let me help you…
CNN's Wolf Blitzer asked Boehner “how much longer U.S. taxpayers would have to endure the cost of the war”
Boehner stated “…because long term the investment that we're making today will be a small price…”
He is clearly talking economics. No one is happy about any loss of life. Nice try though… And what is this spinning? There is no spinning here, just a clear understanding of the question he was asked and the words he used to answer it.
I haven't heard a single democrat appologize much less say they disapprove of the "General Betray Us" ad.
General David Petraeus is a brilliant military theoretician and battlefield commander. And he knows his von Clausewitz: “It is clear that war is not a mere act of policy but a true political instrument, a continuation of political activity by other means." As a full general, personally responsible for the execution of President Bush’s political agenda in Iraq he can hardly claim to be above the calumny and petty name-calling of traditional American politics. And unlike an enlisted soldier or company grade officer he does have a choice.
James, Charlottesville - Although I don't post party affiliation, I guess you missed my entry.
Insisting that anyone must be apologetic for someone else's comments is pretty absurd. Kerry fussing about this "small cost" nonsense is obviously his way of showing how stupid this pettiness over MoveOn.org is.
When Cheney told Senator Leahy "F-off", he refused any chance to apologize. In this season of political whining over he-said/she-said, I sometimes wish people would start to imitate Cheney's approach.
As I recall, wasn't it John Kerry who said our troops were terrorizing innocent women and children (in Iraq) in the dead of night? Kerry needs to keep his mouth SHUT!
And I will reiterate my previous comment.
The number of lives lost to date on Bush and Boehner's IF'S, or if you want to spin his statement, the outrageous amount of $$$$ being spent on IF'S, is too great a price for any American, Canadian, Austrailian, Brit, French, Italian, et al to sacrifice their lives for. This is a War not a game of marbles. It is no place for IF's. It is the place for well thought out strategies and military tactics. You don't send soldiers into a battlefield to sacrifice their lives on IF'S and then cover up your mistakes with a mere, "long term the investment that we're making today will be a small price if we're able to stop Al Qaeda here, if we're able to stabilize the Middle East." Small price for who?
The many IF Strategies employed by Bush to date have't been able to stop Al Qaeda here, there, or anywhere! Nor have they been able to stabilize any part of the Middle East thus far. And yet, Bush is still adamant on putting military and civilian lives at risk whilst he continues to test a few more IF Strategies!
In my view, they aren't making any investment. You have to give something to make an investment. The military and innocent civilians are making the investment and paying the ULTIMATE price for an IF or a Maybe flawed game plan! And that is Deplorable.
The number of lives lost to date on Bush and Boehner's IF'S, or if you want to spin his statement, the outrageous amount of $$$$ being spent on IF'S, is too great a price for any American, Canadian, Austrailian, Brit, French, Italian, et al to sacrifice their lives for. This is a War not a game of marbles. It is no place for IF's. It is the place for well thought out strategies and military tactics. You don't send soldiers into a battlefield to sacrifice their lives on IF'S and then cover up your mistakes with a mere, "long term the investment that we're making today will be a small price if we're able to stop Al Qaeda here, if we're able to stabilize the Middle East." Small price for who?
The many IF Strategies employed by Bush to date have't been able to stop Al Qaeda here, there, or anywhere! Nor have they been able to stabilize any part of the Middle East thus far. And yet, Bush is still adamant on putting military and civilian lives at risk whilst he continues to test a few more IF Strategies!
In my view, they aren't making any investment. You have to give something to make an investment. The military and innocent civilians are making the investment and paying the ULTIMATE price for an IF or a Maybe flawed game plan! And that is Deplorable.
Will Kerry just please go away? After calling our troops 'terrorists' I think he should just keep his mouth shut.
John Kerry is a disgrace.
Kerry stated our troops were 'terrorizing' innocent women and children in Iraq. John, you can take a hike.
I've been to Baghdad on two seperate tours (probably a third soon). I find nothing wrong with Boehner's remarks. Kerry and most of the Democrats (as well as their supporters) are either historically ignorant (in the literal sense of the word) or are just using the anti-war movement in order to gain power. While the former is deplorable in that they refuse to look at things in a bigger context or do more study into the subject, the latter can be described as nothing other than evil. I do not see how a free, stable and democratic Iraq can be viewed as anything but good. Helping a recently freed people establish a modern democracy in one of the most unstable and militantly imperialistic parts of the world truely is a small price to pay in the larger scheme of things.
What so ridiculous about Boehner's comment? War is about death. The choice of war itself is about sacrifice. On D-day on Omaha beach alone, more than 2400 US soldiers died in the first few hours. Battle of Gettysburg, 8000 died in the three days battle. So should we have paid for these prices? I am not trying to convince you one way or the other. My point is that war is about death. It is about American soliders dying for American interest. It is sad, but let's talk truth here.
You know what is really outrageous and Kerry did not condemn? In 1996, then secretary of state Madeleine Albright was asked about half million Iraqis children had died under the oil sanction. Albright replied ". We think the price is worth it". I certainly don't remember Kerry condemned that.
A dose of reality for the hate radio crowd. The cost in Soldiers lives never crossed Boehmers mind because he lipsincs the words the RNC feeds him. Republicans wave a good flag as long as they don't have to carry it into battle.
who's to say what price is too high???
Posted By Ray Fisher, Albuquerque, NM :
I'm saying it! Osama Bin Forgotten promised he would drain America dry ... and is well on his way. Too often, the war-buffs posting here have invested nothing but their time, leaving others to make the sacrifice.
We are spending American blood and treasure on a county (recently polled) who wants us gone. Yes, Boehner was in Iraq – safe in the air-conditioned green zone; another photo-op. Did he tell the men and women there that their deaths are a small price to pay so his children & grandchildren can get on with their lives?
Ryan, Provo, UT, you are right. I wish Kerry would shut up and crawl back into his hole. He had his chance to show he had a backbone, and he blew it. I don't care what he thinks.
I honestly can't tell you if Boehner was talking about financial price or all prices (blood, financial, etc) as I haven't read the context.
What I can say is that, while lives are never a "small price" when looked at as a single issue, they can be a "small price" when compared to keeping war outside of our country's borders.
The IRaq war can't be compared to the D-Day Battle and the Gettysburg Battle. Yes, those battles were about American Soldiers and the D-Battle about many Nato Soldiers as well dying for American and World Freedom.
The Iraq War is about winning over the coutry, turning it into a Democracy and an American Ally for the purpose of securing and maintaining an American Oil Supplier. It was iniated and has been maintained on lies. The International Communities were bullied into participating. In Wold War II there was a valid reason for going to war and Natio Allies supported the war for that reason.
Comparing the Battle of Gettysburg and D-Day to the Iraq war is like comparing Apples and Oranges or Truth and Deceit. Oil and Water don't mix.
It is really fuuny to hear liberals discuss 'sacrafices', when they seem to pull that thin line away and add a lot of gray area when it comes to 'sacraficing' unborn children for medical research.
The Republicans are never wrong. What's wrong with you.
Apologize? Not going to happen. As for MoveOn.org, it is their right, remember "freedom of speech"? We are still waiting for the Swift Boat of lies to grant an apology to a veteran John Kerry denagrating his service to his country. One sided, nothing changes.
"I haven't heard a single democrat appologize much less say they disapprove of the "General Betray Us" ad."
..And I still haven't heard a single Republican apologize for the Swift Boat Campaign, either.
Has this Boehner served any time for this country? Or any of the Boehner's sons or daughters serving for Iraq? If not, then he has no business to open his mouth. The voters in Ohio if they care for the soldiers, should throw such bums out!