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KERRY'S FLIP-FLOPS
Flip-Flopped On
Iraq War #1
Kerry Voted For Authorization To Use Force In Iraq. (H.J. Res. 114, CQ Vote #237: Passed
77-23: R 48-1; D 29-21; I 0-1, 10/11/02, Kerry Voted Yea.)
In First Dem Debate, Kerry Strongly Supported President’s Action In Iraq.
KERRY: “George, I said at the time I would have preferred if we had given diplomacy a
greater opportunity, but I think it was the right decision to disarm Saddam Hussein, and
when the President made the decision, I supported him, and I support the fact that we did
disarm him.” (ABC
News, Democrat Presidential Candidate Debate, Columbia, SC, 5/4/03)
Kerry Later Claimed He Voted “To Threaten” Use Of Force In Iraq. “I
voted to threaten the use of force to make Saddam Hussein comply with the resolutions of
the United Nations.” (Sen. John Kerry, Remarks At
Announcement Of Presidential Candidacy, Mount Pleasant, SC, 9/2/03)
Now, Kerry Says He Is Anti-War Candidate. CHRIS MATTHEWS: “Do you think you
belong to that category of candidates who more or less are unhappy with this war, the way
it’s been fought, along with General Clark, along with Howard Dean and not
necessarily in companionship politically on the issue of the war with people like
Lieberman, Edwards and Gephardt? Are you one of the anti-war candidates?” KERRY:
“I am -- Yes, in the sense that I don’t believe the president took us to war as
he should have, yes, absolutely.” (MSNBC’s “Hardball,”
1/6/04)
Flip-Flopped
On Eliminating Marriage Penalty For Middle Class #2
Kerry Said He Will Fight To Keep Tax Relief For Married Couples. “Howard Dean
and Gephardt are going to put the marriage penalty back in place. So if you get married in
America, we’re going to charge you more taxes. I do not want to do that.” (Fox News’ “Special Report,”
10/23/03)
Said Democrats Fought To End Marriage Penalty Tax. “We fought hard to get rid
of the marriage penalty.” (MSNBC’s “News Live,”
7/31/03)
But, In 1998, Kerry Voted Against Eliminating Marriage Penalty Relief For Married
Taxpayers With Combined Incomes Less Than $50,000 Per Year, Saving Taxpayers $46 Billion
Over 10 Years. (S.
1415, CQ Vote #154: Rejected 48-50: R 5-49; D 43-1, 6/10/98, Kerry Voted Yea)
Flip-Flopped
On Patriot Act #3
Kerry Voted For Patriot Act. The Patriot Act was passed nearly unanimously by the
Senate 98-1, and 357-66 in the House. (H.R. 3162, CQ Vote #313: Passed
98-1: R 49-0; D 48-1; I 1-0, 10/25/01, Kerry Voted Yea)
Kerry Used To Defend His Vote. “Most of [The Patriot Act] has to do with
improving the transfer of information between CIA and FBI, and it has to do with things
that really were quite necessary in the wake of what happened on September 11th.” (Sen. John Kerry, Remarks At Town
Hall Meeting, Manchester, NH, 8/6/03)
Now, Kerry Attacks Patriot Act. “We are a nation of laws and liberties, not of
a knock in the night. So it is time to end the era of John Ashcroft. That starts with
replacing the Patriot Act with a new law that protects our people and our liberties at the
same time. I’ve been a District Attorney and I know that what law enforcement needs
are real tools not restrictions on American’s basic rights.” (Sen. John Kerry, Remarks At Iowa
State University, 12/1/03)
Kerry Took
BOTH Sides On First Gulf War #4
Kerry Took BOTH Sides In First Gulf War In Separate Letters To Same Constituent.
“Rather than take a side--albeit the one he thought was most expedient--Kerry
actually stood on both sides of the first Gulf war, much like he did this time around.
Consider this ‘Notebook’ item from TNR’s March 25, 1991 issue, which ran
under the headline ‘Same Senator, Same Constituent’: ‘Thank you for
contacting me to express your opposition ... to the early use of military force by the US
against Iraq. I share your concerns. On January 11, I voted in favor of a resolution that
would have insisted that economic sanctions be given more time to work and against a
resolution giving the president the immediate authority to go to war.’ --letter from
Senator John Kerry to Wallace Carter of Newton Centre, Massachusetts, dated January 22
[1991] ‘Thank you very much for contacting me to express your support for the actions
of President Bush in response to the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait. From the outset of the
invasion, I have strongly and unequivocally supported President Bush’s response to
the crisis and the policy goals he has established with our military deployment in the
Persian Gulf.’ --Senator Kerry to Wallace Carter, January 31 [1991]” (Noam Scheiber, “Noam Scheiber’s
Daily Journal of Politics, The New Republic Online, 1/28/04)
Flip-Flopped
On Gay Marriage Amendment #5
In 2002, Kerry Signed Letter “Urging” MA Legislature To Reject Constitutional
Amendment Banning Gay Marriage. “We rarely comment on issues that are wholly
within the jurisdiction of the General Court, but there are occasions when matters pending
before you are of such significance to all residents of the Commonwealth that we think it
appropriate for us to express our opinion. One such matter is the proposed Constitutional
amendment that would prohibit or seriously inhibit any legal recognition whatsoever of
same-sex relationships. We believe it would be a grave error for Massachusetts to enshrine
in our Constitution a provision which would have such a negative effect on so many of our
fellow residents. … We are therefore united in urging you to reject this
Constitutional amendment and avoid stigmatizing so many of our fellow citizens who do not
deserve to be treated in such a manner.” (Sen. John Kerry, et al, Letter To
Members Of The Massachusetts Legislature, 7/12/02)
Now, In 2004, Kerry Won’t Rule Out Supporting Similar Amendment. “Asked
if he would support a state constitutional amendment barring gay and lesbian marriages,
Kerry didn’t rule out the possibility. ‘I’ll have to see what language
there is,’ he said.” (Susan Milligan, “Kerry Says
GOP May Target Him On ‘Wedge Issue,’” The Boston Globe, 2/6/04)
Flip-Flopped
On Attacking President During Time Of War #6
In March 2003, Kerry Promised Not To Attack President When War Began. “Senator
John F. Kerry of Massachusetts … said he will cease his complaints once the shooting
starts. ‘It’s what you owe the troops,’ said a statement from Kerry, a Navy
veteran of the Vietnam War. ‘I remember being one of those guys and reading news
reports from home. If America is at war, I won’t speak a word without measuring how
it’ll sound to the guys doing the fighting when they’re listening to their
radios in the desert.’” (Glen Johnson, “Democrats On
The Stump Plot Their War Rhetoric,” The Boston Globe, 3/11/03)
But Weeks Later, With Troops Just Miles From Baghdad, Kerry Broke His Pledge.
“‘What we need now is not just a regime change in Saddam Hussein and Iraq, but
we need a regime change in the United States,’ Kerry said in a speech at the
Peterborough Town Library. Despite pledging two weeks ago to cool his criticism of the
administration once war began, Kerry unleashed a barrage of criticism as US troops fought
within 25 miles of Baghdad.” (Glen Johnson, “Kerry Says Us
Needs Its Own ‘Regime Change,’” The Boston Globe, 4/3/03)
Flip-Flopped
On Death Penalty For Terrorists #7
In 1996, Kerry Attacked Governor Bill Weld For Supporting Death Penalty For Terrorists.
KERRY: “Your policy would amount to a terrorist protection policy. Mine would put
them in jail.” (1996
Massachusetts Senate Debate, 9/16/96)
In 1996, Kerry Said, “You Can Change Your Mind On Things, But Not On
Life-And-Death Issues.” (Timothy J. Connolly, “The
‘Snoozer’ Had Some Life,” [Worcester, MA] Telegram & Gazette, 7/3/96)
But, In 2002, Kerry Said He Supported Death Penalty For Terrorists. KERRY: “The
law of the land is the law of the land, but I have also said that I am for the death
penalty for terrorists because terrorists have declared war on your country.” (NBC’s “Meet The Press,”
12/1/02)
Flip-Flopped
On No Child Left Behind #8
Kerry Voted For No Child Left Behind Act. (H.R. 1, CQ Vote #371: Adopted
87-10: R 44-3; D 43-6; I 0-1, 12/18/01, Kerry Voted Yea)
But Now Kerry Is Attacking No Child Left Behind As “Mockery.” “Between
now and the time I’m sworn in January 2005, I’m going to use every day to make
this president accountable for making a mockery of the words ‘No Child Left Behind.’”
(Holly Ramer, “Kerry
Wants To Make ‘Environmental Justice’ A Priority,” The Associated Press,
4/22/03)
Kerry Trashed NCLB As ‘Unfunded Mandate’ With ‘Laudable’ Goals.
“Kerry referred to [No Child Left Behind] as an ‘unfunded mandate’ with
‘laudable’ goals. ‘Without the resources, education reform is a sham,’
Kerry said. ‘I can’t wait to crisscross this country and hold this president
accountable for making a mockery of the words “no child left behind.”‘“
(Matt Leon, “Sen.
Kerry In Tune With Educators,” The [Quincy, MA] Patriot Ledger, 7/11/03)
Flip-Flopped
On Affirmative Action #9
In 1992, Kerry Called Affirmative Action “Inherently Limited And Divisive.”
“[W]hile praising affirmative action as ‘one kind of progress’ that grew
out of civil rights court battles, Kerry said the focus on a rights-based agenda has
‘inadvertently driven most of our focus in this country not to the issue of what is
happening to the kids who do not get touched by affirmative action, but … toward an
inherently limited and divisive program which is called affirmative action.’ That
agenda is limited, he said, because it benefits segments of black and minority
populations, but not all. And it is divisive because it creates a ‘perception and a
reality of reverse discrimination that has actually engendered racism.’” (Lynne Duke, “Senators Seek
Serious Dialogue On Race,” The Washington Post, 4/8/92)
In 2004, Kerry Denied Ever Having Called Affirmative Action “Divisive.”
CNN’s KELLY WALLACE: “We caught up with the Senator, who said he never called
affirmative action divisive, and accused Clark of playing politics.” SEN. KERRY:
“That’s not what I said. I said there are people who believe that. And I said
mend it, don’t end it. He’s trying to change what I said, but you can go read
the quote. I said very clearly I have always voted for it. I’ve always supported it.
I’ve never, ever condemned it. I did what Jim Clyburn did and what Bill Clinton did,
which is mend it. And Jim Clyburn wouldn’t be supporting it if it were otherwise. So
let’s not have any politics here. Let’s keep the truth.” (CNN’s “Inside Politics,”
1/30/04)
Flip-Flopped
On Ethanol #10
Kerry Twice Voted Against Tax Breaks For Ethanol. (S. Con. Res. 18, CQ Vote #44:
Rejected 48-52: R 11-32; D 37-20, 3/23/93, Kerry Voted Nay; S. Con. Res. 18, CQ Vote #68:
Motion Agreed To 55-43: R 2-40; D 53-3, 3/24/93, Kerry Voted Yea)
Kerry Voted Against Ethanol Mandates. (H.R. 4624, CQ Vote #255: Motion
Agreed To 51-50: R 19-25; D 31-25, 8/3/94, Kerry Voted Nay)
Kerry Voted Twice To Increase Liability On Ethanol, Making It Equal To Regular
Gasoline. (S. 517,
CQ Vote #87: Motion Agreed To 57-42: R 38-10; D 18-32; I 1-0, 4/25/02 Kerry Voted Nay; S.
14, CQ Vote #208: Rejected 38-57: R 9-40; D 28-17; I 1-0, 6/5/03, Kerry Voted Yea)
On The Campaign Trail, Though, Kerry Is For Ethanol. KERRY: “I’m for
ethanol, and I think it’s a very important partial ingredient of the overall mix of
alternative and renewable fuels we ought to commit to.” (MSNBC/DNC, Democrat Presidential
Candidate Debate, Des Moines, IA, 11/24/03)
Flip-Flopped
On Cuba Sanctions #11
Senator Kerry Has Long Voted Against Stronger Cuba Sanctions. (H.R. 927, CQ Vote #489, Motion
Rejected 59-36: R 50-2; D 9-34, 10/17/95, Kerry Voted Nay; S. 955, CQ Vote #183: Rejected
38-61: R 5-49; D 33-12, 7/17/97, Kerry Voted Yea; S. 1234, CQ Vote #189, Motion Agreed To
55-43: R 43-10; D 12-33, 6/30/99, Kerry Voted Nay; S. 2549, CQ Vote #137: Motion Agreed To
59-41: R 52-3; D 7-38, 6/20/00, Kerry Voted Nay)
In 2000, Kerry Said Florida Politics Is Only Reason Cuba Sanctions Still In Place.
“Senator John F. Kerry, the Massachusetts Democrat and member of the Foreign
Relations Committee, said in an interview that a reevaluation of relations with Cuba was
‘way overdue.’ ‘We have a frozen, stalemated, counterproductive policy that
is not in humanitarian interests nor in our larger credibility interest in the region,’
Kerry said. … ‘It speaks volumes about the problems in the current American
electoral process. … The only reason we don’t reevaluate the policy is the
politics of Florida.’” (John Donnelly, “Policy Review
Likely On Cuba,” The Boston Globe, 4/9/00)
Now Kerry Panders To Cuban Vote, Saying He Would Not Lift Embargo Against Cuba. TIM
RUSSERT: “Would you consider lifting sanctions, lifting the embargo against Cuba?”
SEN. KERRY: “Not unilaterally, not now, no.” (NBC’s “Meet The Press,”
8/31/03)
Kerry Does Not Support “Opening Up The Embargo Wily Nilly.” “Kerry
said he believes in ‘engagement’ with the communist island nation but that does
not mean, ‘Open up the dialogue.’ He believes it ‘means travel and perhaps
even remittances or cultural exchanges’ but he does not support ‘opening up the
embargo wily nilly.’” (Daniel A. Ricker, “Kerry Says
Bush Did Not Build A ‘Legitimate Coalition’ In Iraq,” The Miami Herald,
11/25/03)
Flip-Flopped
On NAFTA #12
Kerry Voted For NAFTA. (H.R. 3450, CQ Vote #395: Passed
61-38: R 34-10; D 27-28, 11/20/93, Kerry Voted Yea)
Kerry Recognized NAFTA Is Our Future. “‘NAFTA recognizes the reality of
today’s economy - globalization and technology,’ Kerry said. ‘Our future is
not in competing at the low-level wage job; it is in creating high-wage, new technology
jobs based on our skills and our productivity.’” (John Aloysius Farrell, “Senate’s
OK Finalizes NAFTA Pact,” The Boston Globe, 11/21/93)
Now, Kerry Expresses Doubt About NAFTA. “Kerry, who voted for NAFTA in 1993,
expressed some doubt about the strength of free-trade agreements. ‘If it were before
me today, I would vote against it because it doesn’t have environmental or labor
standards in it,’ he said.” (David Lightman, “Democrats
Battle For Labor’s Backing,” Hartford Courant, 8/6/03)
Flip-Flopped
On Double Taxation Of Dividends #13
December 2002: Kerry Favored Ending Double Taxation Of Dividends. “[T]o
encourage investments in the jobs of the future - I think we should eliminate the tax on
capital gains for investments in critical technology companies - zero capital gains on
$100 million issuance of stock if it’s held for 5 years and has created real jobs.
And we should attempt to end the double taxation of dividends.” (Sen. John Kerry, Remarks At The City
Club Of Cleveland, 12/3/02)
May 2003: Kerry Said He Opposed Ending Double Taxation Of Dividends. “Kerry
also reiterated his opposition to the Republican plan to cut taxes on stock dividends.
‘This is not the time for a dividends tax cut that goes to individuals,’ he
said.” (“Kerry
Says Time Is On Dems’ Side,” The Associated Press, 5/8/03)
Flip-Flopped
On Raising Taxes During Economic Downturn #14
September 2001: Said Should Not Raise Taxes In Economic Downturn. “The first
priority is the economy of our nation. And when you have a downturn in the economy, the
last thing you do is raise taxes or cut spending. We shouldn’t do either. We need to
maintain a course that hopefully will stimulate the economy. . . . No, we should not raise
taxes, but we have to put everything on the table to take a look at why we have this
structural problem today. . . .[Y]ou don’t want to raise taxes.” (NBC’s “Meet The Press,”
9/2/01)
Flip-Flopped On Small Business
Income Taxes #15
Kerry Voted Against Exempting Small Businesses And Family Farms From Clinton Income Tax
Increase. (S. Con.
Res. 18, CQ Vote #79: Motion Agreed To 54-45: R 0-43; D 54-2, 3/25/93, Kerry Voted Yea)
Three Months Later, Kerry Voted In Favor Of Proposal To Exclude Small Businesses From
The Increased Income Tax. (S. 1134, CQ Vote #171: Motion
Rejected 56-42: R 43-0; D 13-42, 6/24/93, Kerry Voted Yea)
Kerry Claimed He Fought To Exempt Small Businesses From Income Tax Increases.
“I worked to amend the reconciliation bill so that it would … exempt small
businesses who are classified as subchapter S corporations from the increased individual
income tax.” (Sen.
John Kerry, Congressional Record, 6/29/93, p. S 8268)
Kerry
Flip-Flopped On 50-Cent Gas Tax Increase #16
In 1994, Kerry Backed Half-Dollar Increase In Gas Tax. “Kerry said [the
Concord Coalition’s scorecard] did not accurately reflect individual lawmakers’
efforts to cut the deficit. ‘It doesn’t reflect my $43 billion package of cuts
or my support for a 50-cent increase in the gas tax,’ Kerry said.” (Jill Zuckman, “Deficit-Watch
Group Gives High Marks To 7 N.E. Lawmakers,” The Boston Globe, 3/1/94)
Two Years Later, Kerry Flip-Flopped. “Kerry no longer supports the 50-cent
[gas tax] hike, nor the 25-cent hike proposed by the [Concord] coalition.” (Michael Grunwald, “Kerry Gets
Low Mark On Budgeting,” The Boston Globe, 4/30/96)
Flip-Flopped
On Leaving Abortion Up To States #17
Kerry Used To Say Abortion Should Be Left Up To States. “I think the question
of abortion is one that should be left for the states to decide,” Kerry said during
his failed 1972 Congressional bid. (“John Kerry On The Issues,”
The [Lowell, MA] Sun, 10/11/72)
Now Kerry Says Abortion Is Law Of Entire Nation. “The right to choose is the
law of the United States. No person has the right to infringe on that freedom. Those of us
who are in government have a special responsibility to see to it that the United States
continues to protect this right, as it must protect all rights secured by the
constitution.” (Sen.
John Kerry [D-MA], Congressional Record, 1/22/85)
Flip-Flopped
On Litmus Tests For Judicial Nominees #18
Kerry Used To Oppose Litmus Tests For Judicial Nominees. “Throughout two
centuries, our federal judiciary has been a model institution, one which has insisted on
the highest standards of conduct by our public servants and officials, and which has
survived with undiminished respect. Today, I fear that this institution is threatened in a
way that we have not seen before. … This threat is that of the appointment of a
judiciary which is not independent, but narrowly ideological, through the systematic
targeting of any judicial nominee who does not meet the rigid requirements of litmus tests
imposed …” (Sen.
John Kerry, Congressional Record, 2/3/86, p. S864)
But Now Kerry Says He Would Only Support Supreme Court Nominees Who Pledge To Uphold
Roe v. Wade. “The potential retirement of Supreme Court justices makes the 2004
presidential election especially important for women, Senator John F. Kerry told a group
of female Democrats yesterday, and he pledged that if elected president he would nominate
to the high court only supporters of abortion rights under its Roe v. Wade decision.
… ‘Any president ought to appoint people to the Supreme Court who understand the
Constitution and its interpretation by the Supreme Court. In my judgment, it is and has
been settled law that women, Americans, have a defined right of privacy and that the
government does not make the decision with respect to choice. Individuals do.’” (Glen Johnson, “Kerry Vows Court
Picks To Be Abortion-Rights Supporters,” The Boston Globe, 4/9/03)
Flip-Flopped
On Federal Health Benefits #19
In 1993, Kerry Expressed Doubts That Federal Employees Health Benefits System Worked
Well. “Hillary Rodham Clinton today offered a fresh description of one of the
most confusing elements of the Administration health care plan, the health insurance
purchasing alliances, saying they would let all Americans choose coverage in the way
members of Congress do. … Senator John Kerry, Democrat of Massachusetts, said he was
not sure that the Federal program worked all that well.” (Adam Clymer, “Hillary Clinton
Says Health Plan Will Be Familiar,” The New York Times, 12/8/93)
Kerry Expressed Personal Dissatisfaction With His Coverage Through Federal Program.
“Earlier this month, when Hillary Rodham Clinton came to Boston and vowed that
average Americans would get as good coverage as that enjoyed by their senators and
representatives, Sen. John F. Kerry told Clinton that he thought the country could do
better. The Massachusetts Democrat said he was thinking, among other recent disasters, of
his $500 dental bill for treatment of an abscessed tooth. ‘Because it was done in the
dentist’s office, rather than the hospital, they didn’t cover it. So they were
urging me to go spend twice as much in a hospital,’ said Kerry, who is covered by
BACE, the Beneficial Association of Capitol Employees.” (Ana Puga, “Lawmakers Talk
Health Care,” The Boston Globe, 12/19/93)
Now, On Campaign Trail, Kerry Is Enthusiastic About Health Care He Receives As Senator.
“As a U.S. Senator, I could get the best health care in the world. Most people aren’t
so lucky, and we need to change that. That’s why my plan gives every American access
to the same kind of health care that members of Congress give themselves. … Because
your family’s health care is just as important as any politicians’ in
Washington.” (Sen.
John Kerry, “Affordable Health Care For All Americans,” Remarks At Mercy
Medical, Cedar Rapids, IA, 12/14/03)
Kerry: “I’m Going To Make Available To Every American The Same Health Care
Plan That Senators And Congressmen Give Themselves …” (Sen. John Kerry, AARP Democrat
Candidate Debate, Bedford, NH, 11/18/03)
Flip-Flopped
On Tax Credits For Small Business Health #20
In 2001, Kerry Voted Against Amendment Providing $70 Billion For Tax Credits For Small
Business To Purchase Health Insurance. (H. Con. Res. 83, CQ Vote #83:
Rejected 49-51: R 48-2; D 1-49, 4/5/01, Kerry Voted Nay)
Now, Kerry Promises Refundable Tax Credits To Small Businesses For Health Coverage.
“Refundable tax credits for up to 50 percent of the cost of coverage will be offered
to small businesses and their employees to make health care more affordable.” (“John Kerry’s Plan To
Make Health Care Affordable To Every American,” John Kerry For President Website,
www.johnkerry.com, Accessed 1/21/04)
Flip-Flopped
On Health Coverage #21
In 1994, Kerry Said Democrats Push Health Care Too Much. “[Kerry] said Kennedy
and Clinton’s insistence on pushing health care reform was a major cause of the
Democratic Party’s problems at the polls.” (Joe Battenfeld, “Jenny Craig
Hit With Sex Harassment Complaint - By Men,” Boston Herald, 11/30/94)
But Now Kerry Calls Health Care His “Passion.” “Sen. John Kerry says
expanding coverage is ‘my passion.’” (Susan Page, “Health Specifics
Could Backfire On Candidates,” USA Today, 6/2/03)
Flip-Flopped
On Welfare Reform #22
In 1993, Kerry Voted To Kill Bipartisan Welfare Work Requirement. In 1993, Kerry
and Kennedy voted against a welfare-to-work requirement that was supported by many
Democrats, including Sens. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) and Harry Reid (D-NV):
But In 1996, Kerry Voted For
Welfare Reform. (H.R. 3734, CQ Vote #262: Adopted
78-21: R 53-0; D 25-21, 8/1/96, Kerry Voted Yea)
Flip-Flops On
Stock Options Expensing #23
Kerry Used To Oppose Expensing Stock Options. “Democratic Senator John F.
Kerry was among those fighting expensing of stock options.” (Sue Kirchhoff, “Senate Blocks
Options,” The Boston Globe, 7/16/02)
Kerry Said Expensing Options Would Not “Benefit The Investing Public.”
KERRY: “Mr. President, the Financial Accounting Standards Board … has proposed a
rule that will require companies to amortize the value of stock options and deduct them
off of their earnings statements … I simply cannot see how the FASB rule, as
proposed, will benefit the investing public.” (Sen. John Kerry, Congressional
Record, 3/10/94, p. S2772)
But Now Kerry Says He Supports Carrying Of Stock Options As Corporate Expense.
“On an issue related to corporate scandals, Kerry for the first time endorsed the
carrying of stock options as a corporate expense. The use of stock options was abused by
some companies and contributed to overly optimistic balance sheets. Kerry applauded steps
by Microsoft Corp. to eliminate stock options for employees and said all publicly traded
companies should be required to expense such options.” (Dan Balz, “Kerry Raps Bush
Policy On Postwar Iraq,” The Washington Post, 7/11/03)
Flip-Flopped
On Medical Marijuana #24
Kerry Said His “Personal Disposition Is Open To The Issue Of Medical Marijuana.”
“Aaron Houston of the Granite Staters for Medical Marijuana said that just a month
ago Mr. Kerry seemed to endorse medical marijuana use, and when asked about the content of
his mysterious study, said, ‘I am trying to find out. I don’t know.’ Mr.
Kerry did say his ‘personal disposition is open to the issue of medical marijuana’
and that he’d stop Drug Enforcement Administration raids on patients using the stuff
under California’s medical marijuana law.” (Jennifer Harper, “Inside
Politics,” The Washington Times, 8/8/03)
But Now Kerry Says He Wants To Wait For Study Analyzing Issue Before Making Final
Decision. “The Massachusetts Democrat said Wednesday he’d put off any final
decision on medical marijuana because there’s ‘a study under way analyzing what
the science is.’” (Jennifer Harper, “Inside
Politics,” The Washington Times, 8/8/03)
Flip-Flopped
On Burma Sanctions #25
In 1995, Kerry Was Against Burma Sanctions. “‘I question whether
isolation is a successful means of promoting political change,’ Kerry told a
constituent in a 1995 letter justifying his opposition to a Burma sanction bill.” (Geeta Anand, et al., “Menino
Gets Ahead Of Himself, Starts Contemplating Third Term,” The Boston Globe, 5/18/97)
But Now Kerry Supports Burma Sanctions. “In his 1996 reelection campaign,
Kerry, after Governor William F. Weld took up the cause, was badgered by advisers into
shifting his position. But as he eyes a presidential campaign and the Burma sanction
movement gains credibility, Kerry … describes the Burma regime as a ‘semi-criminalized
dictatorship … which should not be treated with respect by other nations, but should
be instead subject to limitations on travel, investment, and access to the most developed
nations.’” (Geeta
Anand, et al., “Menino Gets Ahead Of Himself, Starts Contemplating Third Term,”
The Boston Globe, 5/18/97)
Flip-Flopped
On Military Experience As Credential For Public Office #26
Kerry: Service Should Not Be “Litmus Test” For Leadership. “Mr.
President, you and I know that if support or opposition to the war were to become a litmus
test for leadership, America would never have leaders or recover from the divisions
created by that war. You and I know that if service or nonservice in the war is to become
a test of qualification for high office, you would not have a Vice President, nor would
you have a Secretary of Defense and our Nation would never recover from the divisions
created by that war.” (Sen. John Kerry, Congressional
Record, 10/08/92, p. S17709)
But Now Kerry Constantly “Challenges The Stature Of His Democratic Opponents”
Over Their Lack Of Military Service. “And more than ever, Mr. Kerry is invoking
his stature as a Vietnam veteran as he challenges the stature of his Democratic opponents
-- none of whom, he frequently points out, have ‘worn the uniform of our country’
-- to withstand a debate with Mr. Bush on national security.” (Adam Nagourney, “As Campaign
Tightens, Kerry Sharpens Message,” The New York Times, 8/10/03)
Flip-Flopped
On PACs #27
Kerry Used To Decry “Special Interests And Their PAC Money.” “‘I’m
frequently told by cynics in Washington that refusing PAC money is naive,’ Kerry told
his supporters in 1985. ‘Do you agree that it is “naïve” to turn down
special interests and their PAC money?’” (Glen Johnson, “In A Switch,
Kerry Is Launching A PAC,” The Boston Globe, 12/15/01)
But Now, Kerry Has Established His Own PAC. “A week after repeating that he
has refused to accept donations from political action committees, Senator John F. Kerry
announced yesterday that he was forming a committee that would accept PAC money for him to
distribute to other Democratic candidates. … Kerry’s stance on soft money,
unregulated donations funneled through political parties, puts him in the position of
raising the type of money that he, McCain, and others in the campaign-finance reform
movement are trying to eliminate.” (Glen Johnson, “In A Switch,
Kerry Is Launching A PAC,” The Boston Globe, 12/15/01)
Flip-Flopped
On $10,000 Donation Limit To His PAC #28
When Kerry Established His PAC In 2001, He Instituted A $10,000 Limit On Donations.
“A week after repeating that he has refused to accept donations from political action
committees, Senator John F. Kerry announced yesterday that he was forming a committee that
would accept PAC money for him to distribute to other Democratic candidates … The
statement also declared that the new PAC would voluntarily limit donations of so-called
soft money to $10,000 per donor per year and disclose the source and amount of all such
donations.” (Glen
Johnson, “In A Switch, Kerry Is Launching A Pac,” The Boston Globe, 12/15/01)
One Year Later, Kerry Started
Accepting Unlimited Contributions. “Senator John F. Kerry, who
broke with personal precedent last year when he established his first political action
committee, has changed his fund-raising guidelines again, dropping a $10,000 limit on
contributions from individuals, a cap he had touted when establishing the PAC. The
Massachusetts Democrat said yesterday he decided to accept unlimited contributions, which
has already allowed him to take in ‘soft money’ donations as large as $25,000,
because of the unprecedented fund-raising demands confronting him as a leader in the
Senate Democratic caucus.” (Glen Johnson, “Kerry Shifts
Fund-Raising Credo For His Own PAC,” The Boston Globe, 10/4/02)
Flip-Flopped
On Using Personal Funds In 1996 Race #29
In 1996, Kerry And Weld Established $500,000 Limit Of Personal Wealth To Be Used In
Senate Campaign. “In 1996, Kerry and Weld gave their already noteworthy Senate
race added significance by establishing a spending cap. The candidates agreed to spend no
more than $6.9 million from July 1 through the election. Weld ended up spending $6.6
million and Kerry $6.3 million. One key element of the agreement limited the candidates to
spending $500,000 in personal wealth, a clause Weld favored because Kerry is married to a
millionaire, Teresa Heinz.” (Glen Johnson, “In Kerry’s
Plan For A Pac, The Resolution Of Opposites,” The Boston Globe, 12/18/01)
Kerry Broke Agreement By Spending $1.2 Million Over Limit. “[P]ost-election
reports showed a last-minute infusion of $1.7 million from Kerry’s wife, heiress
Teresa Heinz. … [K]erry denied that his campaign violated its agreement. The money
had been loaned--not contributed--by his wife, he explained. ‘There was nothing in
the agreement that restricted us from taking a loan … and we paid it back in $1,000
and $2,000 chunks.’” (“Global Ecology Lobby Rocked By
Defection,” Political Finance, The Newsletter, 1/02)
Flip-Flopped
On Israel Security Fence #30
October 2003: Kerry Calls Fence “Barrier To Peace.” “And I know how
disheartened Palestinians are by the Israeli government’s decision to build a barrier
off the green line, cutting deeply into Palestinian areas. We do not need another barrier
to peace. Provocative and counterproductive measures only harm Israel’s security over
the long- term, they increase hardships to the Palestinian people, and they make the
process of negotiating an eventual settlement that much harder.” (Sen. John Kerry, Remarks Before
Arab American Institute National Leadership Conference, Dearborn, MI, 10/17/03)
February 2004: Kerry Calls Fence “Legitimate Act Of Self-Defense.” “US
Senator John Kerry of Massachusetts, the frontrunner in the race for the Democratic
presidential nomination, described Israel’s construction of a security barrier as a
‘legitimate act of self defense’ after Sunday’s suicide bombing in
Jerusalem, clarifying a position he took in October when he told an Arab American
audience, ‘We don’t need another barrier to peace.’” (Janine Zacharia, “Kerry Defends
Security Fence,” The Jerusalem Post, 2/25/04)
Flip-Flop-Flipped
On Ballistic Missile Defense #31
Kerry Called For Cancellation Of Missile Defense Systems In 1984 And Has Voted Against
Funding For Missile Defense At Least 53 Times Between 1985 And 2000. (“John Kerry On The Defense
Budget,” Campaign Position Paper, John Kerry For U.S. Senate, 1984; S. 1160, CQ Vote
#99: Rejected 21-78: R 2-50; D 19-28, 6/4/85, Kerry Voted Yea; S. 1160, CQ Vote #100:
Rejected 38-57: R 6-45; D 32-12, 6/4/85, Kerry Voted Yea; S. 1160, CQ Vote #101: Rejected
36-59: R 1-49; D 35-10, 6/4/85, Kerry Voted Yea; S. 1160, CQ Vote #103: Rejected 33-62: R
28-22; D 5-40, 6/4/85, Kerry Voted Nay; H.J. Res. 465, CQ Vote #365: Motion Agreed To
64-32: R 49-2; D 15-30, 12/10/85, Kerry Voted Nay; H.R. 4515, CQ Vote #122: Ruled
Non-Germane 45-47: R 7-42; D 38-5, 6/6/86, Kerry Voted Yea; S. 2638, CQ Vote #176: Motion
Agreed To 50-49: R 41-11; D 9-38, 8/5/86, Kerry Voted Nay; S. 2638, CQ Vote #177: Rejected
49-50: R 10-42; D 39-8, 8/5/86, Kerry Voted Yea; S. 1174, CQ Vote #248: Motion Agreed To
58-38: R 8-37; D 50-1, 9/17/87, Kerry Voted Yea; S. 1174, CQ Vote #259: Motion Agreed To
51-50: R 37-9; D 13-41, With Vice President Bush Casting An “ Yea “ Vote,
9/22/87, Kerry Voted Nay; S. 2355, CQ Vote #124: Motion Agreed To 66-29: R 38-6; D 28-23,
5/11/88, Kerry Voted Nay; S. 2355, CQ Vote #125: Motion Agreed To 50-46: R 38-7; D 12-39,
5/11/88, Kerry Voted Nay; S. 2355, CQ Vote #126: Motion Rejected 47-50: R 38-6; D 9-44,
5/11/88, Kerry Voted Nay; S. 2355, CQ Vote #128: Motion Rejected 48-50: R 6-39; D 42-11,
5/11/88, Kerry Voted Yea; S. 2355, CQ Vote #136: Motion Agreed To 56-37: R 9-34; D 47-3,
5/13/88, Kerry Voted Yea; S. 2355, CQ Vote #137: Motion Agreed To 51-43: R 38-5; D 13-38,
5/13/88, Kerry Voted Nay; H.R. 4264, CQ Vote #251: Motion Rejected 35-58: R 35-9; D 0-49,
7/14/88, Kerry Voted Nay; H.R. 4781, CQ Vote #296: Motion Agreed To 50-44: R 5-39; D 45-5,
8/5/88, Kerry Voted Yea; S. 1352, CQ Vote #148: Motion Agreed To 50-47: R 37-6; D 13-41,
7/27/89, Kerry Voted Nay; H.R. 3072, CQ Vote #202: Rejected 34-66: R 27-18; D 7-48,
9/26/89, Kerry Voted Nay; H.R. 3072, CQ Vote #213: Adopted 53-47: R 39-6; D 14-41,
9/28/89, Kerry Voted Nay; S. 2884, CQ Vote #223: Adopted 54-44: R 2-42; D 52-2, 8/4/90,
Kerry Voted Yea; S. 2884, CQ Vote #225: Motion Agreed To 56-41: R 39-4; D 17-37, 8/4/90,
Kerry Voted Nay; S. 2884, CQ Vote #226: Motion Agreed To 54-43: R 37-6; D 17-37, 8/4/90,
Kerry Voted Nay; S. 3189, CQ Vote #273: Passed 79-16: R 37-5; D 42-11, 10/15/90, Kerry
Voted Nay; H.R. 5803, CQ Vote #319: Adopted 80-17: R 37-6; D 43-11, 10/26/90, Kerry Voted
Nay; H.R. 4739, CQ Vote #320: Adopted 80-17: R 37-6; D 43-11, 10/26/90, Kerry Voted Nay;
S. 1507, CQ Vote #168: Rejected 39-60: R 4-39; D 35-21, 7/31/91, Kerry Voted Yea; S. 1507,
CQ Vote #171: Motion Agreed To 60-38: R 40-3; D 20-35, 8/1/91, Kerry Voted Nay; S. 1507,
CQ Vote #172: Motion Agreed To 64-34: R 39-4; D 25-30, 8/1/91, Kerry Voted Nay; S. 1507,
CQ Vote #173: Rejected 46-52: R 5-38; D 41-14, 8/1/91, Kerry Voted Yea; H.R. 2521, CQ Vote
#207: Motion Agreed To 50-49: R 38-5; D 12-44, 9/25/91, Kerry Voted Nay; S. 2403, CQ Vote
#85: Adopted 61-38: R 7-36; D 54-2, 5/6/92, Kerry Voted Yea; H.R. 4990, CQ Vote #108:
Adopted 90-9: R 34-9; D 56-0, 5/21/92, Kerry Voted Yea; S. 3114, CQ Vote #182: Motion
Rejected 43-49: R 34-5; D 9-44, 8/7/92, Kerry Voted Nay; S. 3114, CQ Vote #214: Rejected
48-50: R 5-38; D 43-12, 9/17/92, Kerry Voted Yea; S. 3114, CQ Vote #215: Adopted 52-46: R
39-4; D 13-42, 9/17/92, Kerry Voted Nay; H.R. 5504, CQ Vote #228: Adopted 89-4: R 36-4; D
53-0, 9/22/92, Kerry Voted Yea; S. 1298, CQ Vote #251: Adopted 50-48: R 6-36; D 44-12,
9/9/93, Kerry Voted Yea; S. Con. Res. 63, CQ Vote #64: Rejected 40-59: R 2-42; D 38-17,
3/22/94, Kerry Voted Yea; S. 1026, CQ Vote #354: Motion Agreed To 51-48: R 47-6; D 4-42,
8/3/95, Kerry Voted Nay; S. 1087, CQ Vote #384: Rejected 45-54: R 5-49; D 40-5, 8/10/95,
Kerry Voted Yea; S. 1087, CQ Vote #397: Passed 62-35: R 48-4; D 14-31, 9/5/95, Kerry Voted
Nay; H.R. 1530, CQ Vote #399: Passed 64-34: R 50-3; D 14-31, 9/6/95, Kerry Voted Nay; H.R.
2126, CQ Vote #579: Adopted 59-39: R 48-5; D 11-34, 11/16/95, Kerry Voted Nay; H.R. 1530,
CQ Vote #608: Adopted 51-43: R 47-2; D 4-41, 12/19/95, Kerry Voted Nay; S. 1635, CQ Vote
#157: Rejected 53-46: R 52-0; D 1-46, 6/4/96, Kerry Voted Nay; S. 1745, CQ Vote #160:
Rejected 44-53: R 4-49; D 40-4, 6/19/96, Kerry Voted Yea; S. 1745, CQ Vote #187: Passed
68-31: R 50-2; D 18-29, 7/10/96, Kerry Voted Nay; S. 936, CQ Vote #171: Rejected 43-56: R
2-53; D 41-3, 7/11/97, Kerry Voted Yea; S. 1873, CQ Vote #131: Motion Rejected 59-41: R
55-0; D 4-41, 5/13/98, Kerry Voted Nay; S. 1873, CQ Vote #262: Motion Rejected 59-41: R
55-0; D 4-41, 9/9/98, Kerry Voted Nay; S. 2549, CQ Vote #178: Motion Agreed To 52-48: R
52-3; D 0-45, 7/13/00, Kerry Voted Nay)
Kerry Then Claimed To Support Missile Defense. “I support the development of
an effective defense against ballistic missiles that is deployed with maximum transparency
and consultation with U.S. allies and other major powers. If there is a real potential of
a rogue nation firing missiles at any city in the United States, responsible leadership
requires that we make our best, most thoughtful efforts to defend against that threat. The
same is true of accidental launch. If it were to happen, no leader could ever explain not
having chosen to defend against the disaster when doing so made sense.” (Peace Action Website, “Where Do
The Candidates Stand On Foreign Policy?” http://www.peace-action.org/2004/Kerry.html,
Accessed 3/10/04)
Now Kerry Campaign Says He Will Defund Missile Defense. FOX NEWS’ MAJOR
GARRETT: “Kerry would not say how much all of this would cost. A top military adviser
said the Massachusetts Senator would pay for some of it by stopping all funds to deploy a
national ballistic missile defense system, one that Kerry doesn’t believe will work.”
KERRY ADVISOR RAND BEERS: “He would not go forward at this time because there is not
a proof of concept.” (Fox News’ “Special Report,”
3/17/03)
Flip-Flopped
On 1991 Iraq War Coalition #32
At The Time, Kerry Questioned Strength Of 1991 Coalition. “I keep hearing from
people, ‘Well, the coalition is fragile, it won’t stay together,’ and my
response to that is, if the coalition is so fragile, then what are the vital interests and
what is it that compels us to risk our young American’s lives if the others aren’t
willing to stay the … course of peace? … I voted against the president, I’m
convinced we’re doing this the wrong way …” (CBS’ “This Morning,”
1/16/91)
Now Kerry Has Nothing But Praise For 1991 Coalition. SEN. JOHN KERRY: “In my
speech on the floor of the Senate I made it clear, you are strongest when you act with
other nations. All presidents, historically, his father, George Herbert Walker Bush, did a
brilliant job of building a legitimate coalition and even got other people to help pay for
the war.” (NBC’s
“Meet The Press,” 1/11/04)
Flip-Flopped
On View Of War On Terror #33
Kerry Said War On Terror Is “Basically A Manhunt.” “Kerry was asked
about Bush’s weekend appearance on ‘Meet the Press’ when he called himself
a ‘war president.’ The senator, who watched the session, remarked: ‘The war
on terrorism is a very different war from the way the president is trying to sell it to
us. It’s a serious challenge, and it is a war of sorts, but it is not the kind of war
they’re trying to market to America.’ Kerry characterized the war on terror as
predominantly an intelligence-gathering and law enforcement operation. ‘It’s
basically a manhunt,’ he said. ‘You gotta know who they are, where they are,
what they’re planning, and you gotta be able to go get ‘em before they get us.’”
(Katherine M. Skiba,
“Bush, Kerry Turn Focus To Each Other,” Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 2/13/04)
Two Weeks Later, Kerry Flip-Flopped, Saying War On Terror Is More Than “A Manhunt”.
“This war isn’t just a manhunt – a checklist of names from a deck of cards.
In it, we do not face just one man or one terrorist group. We face a global jihadist
movement of many groups, from different sources, with separate agendas, but all committed
to assaulting the United States and free and open societies around the globe.” (Sen. John Kerry, Remarks At
University Of California At Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 2/27/04)
Flip-Flopped
On Funding For Our Troops In Iraq #34
Kerry Pledged To Fund Reconstruction With “Whatever Number” Of Dollars It
Took. NBC’S TIM RUSSERT: “Do you believe that we should reduce funding that
we are now providing for the operation in Iraq?” SEN. JOHN KERRY: “No. I think
we should increase it.” RUSSERT: “Increase funding?” KERRY: “Yes.”
RUSSERT: “By how much?” KERRY: “By whatever number of billions of dollars
it takes to win. It is critical that the United States of America be successful in Iraq,
Tim.” (NBC’s
“Meet The Press,” 8/31/03)
Then Kerry Voted Against Senate Passage Of Iraq/Afghanistan Reconstruction Package.
“Passage of the bill that would appropriate $86.5 billion in fiscal 2004 supplemental
spending for military operations and reconstruction in Iraq and Afghanistan. The bill
would provide $10.3 billion as a grant to rebuild Iraq, including $5.1 billion for
security and $5.2 billion for reconstruction costs. It also would provide $10 billion as a
loan that would be converted to a grant if 90 percent of all bilateral debt incurred by
the former Iraqi regime of Saddam Hussein has been forgiven by other countries. Separate
provisions limit reconstruction aid to $18.4 billion. It also would provide approximately
$65.6 billion for military operations and maintenance and $1.3 billion for veterans
medical care.” (S.
1689, CQ Vote #400: Passed 87-12: R 50-0; D 37-11; I 0-1, 10/17/03, Kerry Voted Nay)
Kerry Later Claimed: “I Actually Did Vote For The $87 Billion Before I Voted
Against It.” (Glen
Johnson, “Kerry Blasts Bush On Protecting Troops,” The Boston Globe, 3/17/04)
Flip-Flopped
On Tapping Strategic Petroleum Reserve #35
In February 2000, Kerry Said Release Of Oil From Strategic Petroleum Reserve Would Not
Be “Relevant.” “Without being specific, Kerry, a key member of the
Senate Foreign Relations Committee, suggested the US could retaliate economically in other
trade areas. He also said he does not want a release of oil from the Strategic Petroleum
Reserve. A release ‘is not relevant. It would take months for the oil to get to the
market,’ he said.” (Cathy Landry, “US Energy Chief
Warns Of Gasoline Crisis,” Platt’s Oilgram News, 2/17/00)
Now, In March 2004, Kerry Called For Stop In Filling Strategic Petroleum Reserve To
Reduce Prices. “Kerry would pressure oil-producing nations to increase production
and temporarily suspend filling the U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve, according to
campaign documents. ... ‘The Bush administration has put the SPR fill program on
automatic pilot without regard to the short-term effect on the US market,’ the
campaign documents said. ‘The program needs better management ... Kerry would
temporarily suspend filling SPR until oil prices return to normal levels.’” (Patricia Wilson, “Kerry To
Offer Plan To Reduce Record Gasoline Prices,” Reuters, 3/29/04)
Flip Flopped
On Internet Taxation #36
In 1998, Kerry Voted To Allow States To Continue Taxing Internet Access After
Moratorium Took Effect. Kerry voted against tabling an amendment that would extend the
moratorium from two years to three years and allow states that currently impose taxes on
Internet access to continue doing so after the moratorium takes effect. (S. 442, CQ Vote #306: Motion
Rejected 28-69: R 27-27; D 1-42, 10/7/98, Kerry Voted Nay)
In 2001, Kerry Voted To Extend Internet Tax Moratorium Until 2005 And Allow States To
Form Uniform Internet Tax System With Approval Of Congress. (H.R. 1552, CQ Vote #341: Motion
Agreed To 57-43: R 35-14; D 22-28; I 0-1, 11/15/01, Kerry Voted Nay)
Kerry Said “We Do Not Support Any Tax On The Internet Itself.” “We
do not support any tax on the Internet itself. We don’t support access taxes. We don’t
support content taxes. We don’t support discriminatory taxes. Many of us would like
to see a permanent moratorium on all of those kinds of taxes. At the same time, a lot of
us were caught in a place where we thought it important to send the message that we have
to get back to the table in order to come to a consensus as to how we equalize the
economic playing field in the United States in a way that is fair.” (Sen. John Kerry, Congressional
Record, 11/15/01, p. S11902)
Flip Flopped On Trade With
China #37
In 1991, Kerry
Supported Most-Favored Trade Status For China. “Sen.
John Kerry said yesterday that he is breaking party ranks to support most-favored-nation
trade status for China … ‘I think the president has some strong arguments about
some of the assets of most-favored-nation status for China,’ Kerry said.” (John
Aloysius Farrell, “Kerry Breaks Party Ranks To Back China Trade Status,” The
Boston Globe, 6/15/91)
In 2000, Kerry Voted In Favor Of Permanent Normal Trade Relations With China. (H.R. 4444, CQ Vote #251: Passed 83-15: R 46-8; D 37-7, 9/19/00, Kerry
Voted Yea)
Now Kerry Criticizes The Bush Administration For Trading With China. “Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry said on Monday
Americans workers were paying the price for President Bush's weak stance on trade with
China and other countries. … On the bus tour, Kerry singled out the Bush
administration's handling of trade with China and said that country was manipulating its
currency.” (Caren Bohan, "Kerry Pledges Aggressive Trade Stance," Reuters,
4/26/04)
FACTS TAKEN FROM WWW.GEORGEWBUSH.COM
THANKS TO GREG ALLEN
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