Kerry Hits Bush Quote on Carrier Banner

This little tin pot is so full of himself, he said he would do it again, he disgusts me, I really hope America can see this Commander and thief for what he really is and does away with him

Kerry Hits Bush Quote on Carrier Banner
By Lois Romano and Mike Allen
Washington Post Staff Writers
Monday, September 27, 2004; Page A06

MADISON, Wis., Sept. 26 -- John F. Kerry excoriated President Bush on Sunday for saying that he had no regrets about his declaration more than a year ago that the mission in Iraq was accomplished, when the country continues to be in a state of war.

"I will never be a president who just says, 'Mission Accomplished.' I will get the mission accomplished," Kerry told a couple of hundred supporters who gathered to greet him when he arrived here en route to a secluded resort to prepare for his first presidential debate Thursday

Kerry was referring to an interview Bush gave Bill O'Reilly of Fox News in which O'Reilly asked Bush whether he would still do the carrier landing on the USS Abraham Lincoln beneath the "Mission Accomplished" banner. At the time, 16 months ago, Bush referred to Iraq as a "victory" and declared an end to major combat there.

"Absolutely," the president replied in the interview, to air on Monday's "O'Reilly Factor." O'Reilly, apparently surprised, replied, "You would?" "Of course," Bush continued. more

In April, White House senior adviser Karl Rove told an editorial board meeting with the Columbus Dispatch in Ohio that the "Mission Accomplished" sign had been a mistake. "I wish the banner was not up there," Rove said. "I'll acknowledge the fact that it has become one of those convenient symbols."

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[edit on 27-9-2004 by Sauron]

At the time, 16 months ago, Bush referred to Iraq as a "victory" and declared an end to major combat there.

Wasn't there a reason why he had to declare the end to major combat? I believe that in order to get additional international troops the major combat had to be over so that the other troops would come over under the pretense of peace keeping.

And really, the major combat did seem to be over. We had toppled Saddam and his madmen were no longer in power.

Jemison

The "major" was over...yet the major casualties had just begun...

For an aircraft carrier returning to port after a year or however long in the Gulf, wasn't that particular aircraft carrier's mission accomplished?

Originally posted by vatar
For an aircraft carrier returning to port after a year or however long in the Gulf, wasn't that particular aircraft carrier's mission accomplished?

Bush exploited the end of the aircraft carriers' mission as an opportunity to expound upon how successful the war had been (notice past tense.) In his speech, he declared the war in Iraq over, major combat operations to have ended, and all that was left was to secure the country and start the reconstruction effort. That was May 1, 2003. It was obvious that the task of securing the country was vastly underestimated. As of today, the reconstruction effort is barely off the ground.

Bush also uses this event to establish that starting the war in Iraq was somehow related to 9/11. Even in May 2003, it was evident that the link between Al Qaeda and Iraq was based on inaccurate and unverified evidence that was exaggerated to make the case to go to war with Iraq. To continue to use the imagery that somehow toppling Saddam was bringing to justice the people responsible for what happened in New York on 9/11 was misleading.

Transcript of President Bush's speech on May 1, 2003

THE PRESIDENT: Thank you all very much. Admiral Kelly, Captain Card, officers and sailors of the USS Abraham Lincoln, my fellow Americans: Major combat operations in Iraq have ended. In the battle of Iraq, the United States and our allies have prevailed. (Applause.) And now our coalition is engaged in securing and reconstructing that country.

In this battle, we have fought for the cause of liberty, and for the peace of the world. Our nation and our coalition are proud of this accomplishment -- yet, it is you, the members of the United States military, who achieved it. Your courage, your willingness to face danger for your country and for each other, made this day possible. Because of you, our nation is more secure. Because of you, the tyrant has fallen, and Iraq is free. (Applause.)

Operation Iraqi Freedom was carried out with a combination of precision and speed and boldness the enemy did not expect, and the world had not seen before. From distant bases or ships at sea, we sent planes and missiles that could destroy an enemy division, or strike a single bunker. Marines and soldiers charged to Baghdad across 350 miles of hostile ground, in one of the swiftest advances of heavy arms in history. You have shown the world the skill and the might of the American Armed Forces.

This nation thanks all the members of our coalition who joined in a noble cause. We thank the Armed Forces of the United Kingdom, Australia, and Poland, who shared in the hardships of war. We thank all the citizens of Iraq who welcomed our troops and joined in the liberation of their own country. And tonight, I have a special word for Secretary Rumsfeld, for General Franks, and for all the men and women who wear the uniform of the United States: America is grateful for a job well done. (Applause.)

Full text from www.whitehouse.gov

Funny that bush can claim victory I wonder if it was personal victory or a victory for the American people, but our "worst problem" the Al-queda and bin-laden is a no show and we are still scare of �possible attacks� in US.