(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'