John Kerry’s timing is a bit off. We kill al-Zarqawi, seat a new Iraqi government, President Bush visits the Iraqi Prime Minister, and what does John Kerry want to do with our momentum?

Senator John F. Kerry is placing himself at the center of congressional action over the war in Iraq this week with a crisply worded resolution to require President Bush to withdraw almost all US troops by the end of this year.

Now is the time to turn our tails and run? Yes, the Iraqi’s are ultimately responsible for their fledgling democracy, and we want our soldiers back home as soon as possible. But conceding defeat with an artificial deadline is not an option.

Preaching the gospel of defeatism launched John Kerry’s political career during the Vietnam era and now he hopes it’ll launch him into the White House. Give him some credit though because at least we know where he stands. Gone are the days of flip-flopping Kerry saying things like, “I actually did vote for the $87 billion before I voted against it.”

What Kerry always failed to grasp is winning is the most important goal. He fought for defeat in Vietnam. He fought for defeat during the Cold War. And now he fights for defeat in Iraq. Imagine the chutpah of voting for the War in Iraq, but then refusing to fund it. Maybe one of these days he could put a little effort into helping us win.

“I do not agree that that is in the best interests” of the United States, Clinton said, drawing some jeers. When she left the stage, a small group of audience members began to chant, “Bring home the troops.” Later, when Kerry said that members of Congress must help set a course in Iraq, one attendee shouted, “Tell Hillary!”

Mrs. Clinton is cagey. Kerry thinks he stole a march on his rivals for the ’08 nomination by pushing this resolution, but don’t forget the Howard Dean lesson. Nobody was more rabidly anti-war than Howard Dean, but Democrats abandoned him. Ultimately, they didn’t see Dean drawing enough votes to win a national campaign.

They are running to be President of the United States and not just the apple of rabid anti-war Democrats’ eyes. Being a viable national candidate requires a broad appeal. Although liberals don’t see anything good in Iraq today, 2 ½ years is a long time, and Iraq could be vastly improved. Kerry placed a huge bet that Iraq remains mired in bloody sectarian strife, but what happens if that changes? Mrs. Clinton is wisely positioning herself to take advantage of either outcome, and she may be more electable because of it.

Archived in: Congress, Democrats, Howard Dean, Iraq, John Kerry, Liberals, Vietnam