NEW YORK - Democrat John Kerry faulted President Bush for a unilateral approach toward Iraq that has created greater dangers for the U.S. military, but the presidential candidate was heckled Wednesday for failing to back the immediate withdrawal of American forces.
"We shouldn't only be tough, we have to be smart. And there's a smarter way to accomplish this mission than this president is pursuing," the four-term Massachusetts senator told reporters at City College of New York following an education event.
Kerry backed the 2002 congressional resolution authorizing the president to use force in Iraq, but since then has been harshly critical of Bush's foreign policy. Maintaining his support for the military operation while challenging the Republican incumbent - and appealing to the Democratic base - has proven to be a tough dilemma for Kerry, evident by Wednesday's events.
During a question-and-answer session with the audience, retired college professor Walter Daum angrily accused Kerry of backing an imperialist policy in Iraq and called on the candidate to demand the immediate withdrawal of U.S. troops.
"You voted for this," Daum shouted. As he spoke, a group stood silently and unfurled a large sign that read, "Kerry take a stand: Troops out now." [See the sign at <http://i.a.cnn.net/cnn/2004/ALLPOLITICS/04/14/kerry.iraq/story.kerry.harlem.5.ap.jpg>.]
"You're not listening," an exasperated Kerry said at one point.
Later, speaking with reporters, Kerry dismissed the notion of withdrawing American forces and indicated that if U.S. generals and other senior officials say they need more troops, he would back such a move. Bush at his news conference Tuesday night said he would support an increase in the military presence in Iraq.
"I think the vast majority of the American people understand that it's important to not just cut and run," Kerry said. "I don't believe in a cut-and-run philosophy." . . .
. . . [T]he increasing violence in Iraq and Bush's response remained front and center for the president's Democratic rival, who argued for a full partnership with the United Nations, stressed the importance of stability in Iraq and complained about Bush's strategy creating an undue burden for Americans.
"The president made clear what we all share, which is a sense that the United States of America is going to be resolute and tough and make certain that we accomplish our mission," Kerry said.
Other nations share the U.S. goal of stability in Iraq and, if elected president, Kerry said he would use his powers of persuasion to convince them that their interests demand they share in the effort.
"Our soldiers are bearing the brunt of this operation," Kerry said. "Our military is to some degree overextended. American soldiers are bearing the huge majority, the lion's share of this." . . .
Associated Press Writer Sam Hananel in Washington contributed to this report.
<http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/news/politics/8432219.htm?1c> ***** -- Yoshie
* Bring Them Home Now! <http://www.bringthemhomenow.org/> * Calendars of Events in Columbus: <http://sif.org.ohio-state.edu/calendar.html>, <http://www.freepress.org/calendar.php>, & <http://www.cpanews.org/> * Student International Forum: <http://sif.org.ohio-state.edu/> * Committee for Justice in Palestine: <http://www.osudivest.org/> * Al-Awda-Ohio: <http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Al-Awda-Ohio> * Solidarity: <http://www.solidarity-us.org/>
