| Hello,
Bottom line - no sugarcoating it -- I'm not happy we couldn't break the GOP filibuster on Iraq. But I'm writing just to let you know that I can feel the progress we're making.
Here's what I take away from the week that's ending. First, you've got a whole lot of Senators who voiced opposition to the current disastrous course in Iraq, but couldn't bring themselves to admit that we needed an open debate on what the new course should be. They filibustered, throwing up a roadblock to any new course. (OK, that's deeply frustrating - but then again two years ago could you imagine the day when the President would have such intense criticism from his own right flank on Iraq? The dam is breaking.)
But most importantly, we're not going to let the roadblock stand. We, and I mean all of us who have been pressing and pressing on the war, have now made it clear in both parties that this Iraq policy is beyond broken. Last year, only 13 Senators voted for the Kerry-Feingold bill to set a deadline to redeploy; now it's the unified Democratic position. In May, Republicans were dismissing even tough questions about the escalation. Now, they're falling all over themselves to distance themselves from the President.
So we're making progress. But progress doesn't mean anything to the troops in the field. We need to get results. It's just plain wrong for some people to admit that the policy is broken, but then filibuster attempts to fix it. If the policy is broken, we owe it to all Americans to hold open debate and arrive at a solution.
We'll keep slugging until we'll get there.
Thanks,
John Kerry
P.S. - You and I know damn well what happens at moments like this: the Administration attacks their opponents ruthlessly. They smear, they lie. Yesterday they went after Sen. Clinton. I stepped up to defend her. Tomorrow who knows which Democrat they'll attack. Here's what I'm asking you: I don't care if you have a horse in 2008, or who you're supporting. Anytime you see a Democrat get attacked, please step up and defend them.
John Kerry For U.S. Senate
129 Portland Street, Suite 500, Boston, MA 02114-2014
info@johnkerry.com
www.johnkerry.com
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