Kerry Treads Fine Line on Iraq Policy Amidst Growing Opposition

As Senator John Kerry navigates the contentious issue of Iraq policy, he faces the daunting task of balancing the demands of anti-war sentiment and the need to portray himself as a strong commander-in-chief. Kerry's campaign must delicately balance the views of critics like Howard Dean, who has hammered him for supporting the invasion, and the concerns of voters who fear the growing crisis in Iraq. Meanwhile, Ralph Nader has positioned himself as a champion of anti-war voters, advocating for an immediate exit strategy from Iraq.

Key Takeaways:

• Senator John Kerry acknowledged the gravity of the situation in Iraq, stating that "it's a dangerous situation" and emphasizing the need for the president to "really lead."
• Kerry's campaign is endeavoring to capitalize on the rise in anti-war sentiment, with Howard Dean's support crucial in rallying anti-war voters to Kerry's cause.
• Despite Nader's criticisms, key anti-war groups and leaders, such as Representative Edward J. Markey and research fellow David Cortright, intend to vote for Kerry and not Nader.
• Kerry's position on Iraq policy involves keeping occupation forces in the country indefinitely, while reaching out for more international support and increasing the number of troops in the short term.
• The campaign is paying close attention to Nader's actions, but believes that anti-war voters will ultimately listen to leaders like Dean and support Kerry.

Statistics:

• 54% of Gallup poll respondents deemed the war in Iraq not worth the cost, while 44% believed it was worthwhile (Gallup, [no specific date]).
• 58% of respondents disapproved of President Bush's handling of the situation, the largest percentage to date (Gallup, [no specific date]).
• A CNN/Time poll found that 49% of likely voters planned to vote for Kerry, 44% for Bush, and 6% for Nader (CNN/Time poll, [no specific date]).
• In 2000, Nader received 2% of the vote nationwide (New York Times, [no specific date]).

Sources:

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