Kerry faults Bush's Afghanistan strategy

[Ron Burgundy]

AP - Democratic Sen. John Kerry, the party's 2004 presidential nominee, accused the Bush administration of pursuing a "cut and run" strategy in Afghanistan that has emboldened terrorists and made the U.S. less safe.

WASHINGTON - Democratic Sen.
John Kerry, the party's 2004 presidential nominee, accused the Bush administration of pursuing a "cut and run" strategy in
Afghanistan that has emboldened terrorists and made the U.S. less safe.

"The administration's Afghanistan policy defines cut and run," Kerry said in remarks at Howard University on Thursday. "Cut and run while the Taliban-led insurgency is running amok across entire regions of the country. Cut and run while
Osama bin Laden and his henchmen hide and plot in a lawless no-man's land."

Kerry's "cut and run" accusation echoes criticism Republicans have leveled at Democrats who have challenged Bush's handling of the
Iraq war.

A potential 2008 presidential candidate, Kerry lashed out at the administration on the same day the White House announced meetings later this month with the leaders of Afghanistan and Pakistan.

"John Kerry lacks the credibility on the war on terror to be taken seriously," said
Republican National Committee spokesman Danny Diaz. "The junior senator from Massachusetts would be well served by not using his own agenda's mantra to falsely attack this administration's foreign policy."

Afghanistan has been plagued by an upsurge in violence by the Taliban, which is trying to topple the U.S.-backed government in Kabul. Military commanders have called for an extra 2,500 troops to help the
NATO force in Afghanistan.

Kerry wants at least 5,000 additional troops sent there, contending that the Bush administration has focused on Iraq while failing to respond forcefully to threats in Afghanistan and
Iran.

"The central front in the war on terror is still in Afghanistan, but this administration treats it like a sideshow," said Kerry, adding there are seven times more troops in Iraq than Afghanistan.

"When did denying al-Qaida a terrorist stronghold in Afghanistan stop being an urgent American priority?" Kerry said. "How is it possible that we keep sending thousands of additional U.S. troops into the middle of a civil war in Iraq but we can't find any more troops to send to Afghanistan?"

The Republican National Committee dismissed Kerry's criticism.

"John Kerry lacks the credibility on the war on terror to be taken seriously," said spokesman Danny Diaz of the four-term senator, a longtime member of the Foreign Relations Committee. "The junior senator from Massachusetts would be well-served by not using his own agenda's mantra to falsely attack this administration's foreign policy."

[JaJae]

It's interesting how Democrats cringe at the phrase "cut and run" in regards to their policies in Iraq. But have no problem using it when dealing with Afghanistan.

And there's a key difference between Iraq and Afghanistan when using the term cut and run. He mentions it in his article. Iraq is truly in turmoil. Their government has been overrun and they're in a transistion stage.

The Taliban is essentially defeated in Afghanistan. They have little to no power. Using the term cut and run and comparing it to Iraq is just absurd. Does no one else read his words and say "Holy fucking hypocrite Batman." Or am I the only one here?

[Scrum]

Originally Posted by JaJae

It's interesting how Democrats cringe at the phrase "cut and run" in regards to their policies in Iraq. But have no problem using it when dealing with Afghanistan.

It's called rhetoric and they are throwing it back at the republicans. Good for them.

Originally Posted by JaJae

The Taliban is essentially defeated in Afghanistan. They have little to no power. Using the term cut and run and comparing it to Iraq is just absurd. Does no one else read his words and say "Holy fucking hypocrite Batman." Or am I the only one here?

The Taliban have been making a comeback and we didn't finish the job and get Osama.

[JaJae]

Didn't seem like rhetoric to me. He seemed pretty serious.

[motivez]

Rhetoric doesn't mean non-serious.

I don't think it's hypocritical to use Republican phrases against them if they refuse to stop using them. In fact, they SHOULD use them whenever possible, I'm sick of seeing Democrats take shit like "cut and run" and "terrorist supporter/sympathizer" and "hate america first" and the other shit lying down.. they need to stand up and fight back, and if they can use the Administration's rhetoric against them to show how we're failing in Afghanistan (wru Osama!), more power to them.

[kinggovernor]

When I am king, no politican will be able to use the phrase cut and run

[6SpeedTA95]

I tend to agree a little. Calling it "cut and run" is but we definately pulled out too many troops too fast, I that is definately clear given the recent turn of events.