XPost: ny.politics, nj.politics, ca.politics 
 XPost: alt.politics.democrats 
 From: javozda@N0TSPAM.0RG 
  
 On Tue, 26 Oct 2004 19:10:17 GMT, Obwon  wrote: 
  
 >The Bush Vs. Kerry Briefs: The War In Iraq 
 >10.25.2004 6:54 PM EDT 
 > 
 >You've heard a lot of blah blah blah from both 
 >campaigns about the war in Iraq, and let's face it, 
 >it's confusing. So here's a concise comparison of the 
 >two candidates' stances on the contentious issue: 
 > 
 >Was the war justified? 
 > 
 >President Bush believes that in a post-September 11 
 >world where terrorists have declared war on America 
 >that we must be ready to act first € and, if necessary, 
 >alone € in order to defend America and its interests. 
 >Bush believes the war in Iraq to be central to the war 
 >on terrorism and that by removing Saddam Hussein and 
 >attempting to bring democracy to Iraq, the U.S. has 
 >made the world a safer place. 
 > 
 >John Kerry initially supported the war in Iraq, based 
 >on prewar intelligence that detailed weapons of mass 
 >destruction held by Iraq. When that intelligence turned 
 >out to be incorrect, Kerry agreed that removing Saddam 
 >Hussein made the world safer, but said he felt it 
 >wasn't enough to merit a pre-emptive strike on Iraq. 
 >Kerry believes that the war in Iraq is a diversion from 
 >the war on terror, which should be focused on capturing 
 >Osama Bin Laden and destroying al Qaeda. 
 > 
 >Was there a plan? 
 > 
 >Bush insists that in the days leading up to the 
 >invasion, he was assured by top military brass that 
 >America had adequate troops and resources for the war. 
 >When initial deployments proved inadequate, he asked 
 >for an additional $87 billion from Congress for 
 >military and reconstruction assistance, though little 
 >of this money has been deployed due to continuing 
 >instability in Iraq. 
 > 
 >Kerry argues that while the president had a plan to win 
 >the war in Iraq, he didn't have a plan to win the 
 >peace. He says that because the president rushed into 
 >war against the wishes of America's allies, the U.S. 
 >has borne 90 percent of the casualties and financial 
 >costs of the war. 
 > 
 >Where do we go from here? 
 > 
 >Bush believes the war in Iraq has improved the lives of 
 >Iraqis and the security of the United States. He says 
 >we must stay the course to ensure democracy and 
 >security in the Middle East. This, he argues, will 
 >cause terrorist threats against the United States to be 
 >lessened. The president has said troops will remain in 
 >Iraq until the Iraqi army is strong enough to keep the 
 >peace. 
 > 
 >Kerry believes that in order to achieve peace in Iraq, 
 >the U.S. needs to successfully globalize its efforts. 
 >Kerry says the only way to encourage other nations to 
 >join us would be through a change of leadership, 
 >because it is the president's leadership style that has 
 >alienated most of America's traditional allies. 
 > 
 >For more information on the candidates and their 
 >positions, check back at ChooseorLose.com this week for 
 >more Bush vs. Kerry briefs. And don't forget to vote on 
 >November 2! 
 > 
 >€MTV News staff report 
  
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