[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 119 (Tuesday, September 28, 2004)]
[Senate]
[Pages S9768-S9772]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[[Page S9768]]
SENATOR KERRY AND AMERICA'S CHALLENGES
Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, as we look at the situation in America and
in the world today, we face serious challenges. Obviously, the war on
terrorism is one of the most serious challenges we have had in many
decades, one that is different because there are no specific battles
that are won or lost. There may not be a moment when we say it is over.
Because we are dealing with a moving, shadowy element that uses the
most dastardly types of attacks on individuals, innocent men, women,
and children.
We have seen the situation in Florida, where the people there have
been hit repeatedly by hurricanes and disasters. I guess you could say
in many respects these are times that try men and women's souls.
We are under attack in a lot of ways. But, also, these are the times
that require a certain trumpet. We cannot have uncertainty in terms of
leadership. We cannot have an uncertain trumpet. We have to have
direction, strong leadership, and courage to take a stand and follow it
through. That is why I am very much worried about what I see in Senator
Kerry and the positions he has taken, first on one side and then the
other.
I was greatly distressed last week when we had the Prime Minister of
Iraq here. He is a man who is showing strength, leadership, and great
courage because his life is on the line every day with repeated
assassination attempts directed at him. He came here. He said: Thank
you, America. He said: We are going to have elections. We are going to
have peace and freedom and democracy. We chose justice and the rule of
law rather than chaos and anarchy. He did a magnificent job. I was
inspired by what he is doing and by his speech.
Yet Senator Kerry attacked his speech before he even left town. Where
are the basic courtesies that we have in the past extended to leaders
of other countries?
President Bush, on the other hand, has shown strength, leadership,
and courage. He is dealing with the issues of security. People see in
him and hear in his voice a determination, a commitment, that will get
us through this. But Senator Kerry has been flip-flopping back and
forth on Iraq for not just the campaign but actually for years, going
back to 2002 where he took one position and where now, in 2003 and
2004, he has taken a different position.
On September 20, 2004, he said that our most important task is to win
the war on terrorism. On March 6, 2004, he balked at calling the war on
terror an actual ``war.''
On September 20 he said Iraq was a ``diversion from'' the war on
terror. Yet back in December of 2003 he said that Iraq is ``critical''
to the success of the war on terror.
In September of 2004 he said the evil of Saddam was enough to justify
the war. Yet before that he agreed with the administration's goal of
regime change. He also said that Saddam's ``breach of international
values'' was a sufficient cause of war.
In 2004 he said Saddam's ``downfall . . . has left America less
secure.'' Yet in December of 2003 he questioned the judgment of those
claiming Saddam's capture doesn't help American security.
The list goes on and on. I ask unanimous consent this list be printed
in the Record.
There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in
the Record, as follows:
FLIP FLOP #1: ``Most Important Task'' Is To Win ``War On Terrorism.''
Senator John Kerry, Remarks at New York University, New York,
NY, September 20, 2004:
. . . the events of September 11 reminded every American of
that obligation. That day brought to our shores the defining
struggle of our times: the struggle between freedom and
radical fundamentalism. And it made clear that our most
important task is to fight . . . and to win . . . the war on
terrorism.
``In His Words: John Kerry,'' The New York Times Website,
www.nytimes. com, March 6, 2004, Kerry Balked at Calling
War on Terror an Actual War:
The final victory in the war on terror depends on a victory
in the war of ideas, much more than the war on the
battlefield. And the war--not the war, I don't want to use
that terminology. The engagement of economies, the economic
transformation, the transformation to modernity of a whole
bunch of countries that have been avoiding the future.
FLIP FLOP #2: Iraq Was ``Diversion From'' War On Terror.
Senator John Kerry, Remarks at New York University, New York,
NY, September 20, 2004:
. . . Iraq was a profound diversion from that war and the
battle against our greatest enemy, Osama bin Laden and the
terrorists. Invading Iraq has created a crisis of historic
proportions and, if we do not change course, there is the
prospect of a war with no end in sight.
Fox News' ``Special Report,'' December 15, 2003, Kerry Said
Iraq ``Is Critical'' To Success of War on Terror:
Iraq may not be the war on terror itself, but it is
critical to the outcome of the war on terror. And therefore
any advance in Iraq is an advance forward in that.
FLIP FLOP #3: Evil Of Saddam Was Not Enough To Justify War.
Senator John Kerry, Remarks at New York University, New York,
NY, September 20, 2004:
Saddam Hussein was a brutal dictator who deserves his own
special place in hell. But that was not, in itself, a reason
to go to war.
Senator John Kerry, Speech to the 2002 DLC National
Conversation, New York, NY, July 29, 2002, Kerry
Originally Agreed With Removing Saddam Hussein:
I agree completely with this Administration's goal of a
regime change in Iraq--Saddam Hussein is a renegade and
outlaw who turned his back on the tough conditions of his
surrender put in place by the United Nations in 1991.
MSNBC's ``Hardball,'' October 10, 2002, Kerry Cited Saddam's
``Breach of International Values'' as Cause for War.
I believe the record of Saddam Hussein's ruthless, reckless
breach of international values and standards of behavior is
cause enough for the world community to hold him accountable
by use of force if necessary.
FLIP FLOP #4: Saddam's ``Downfall . . . Has Left America Less Secure.''
Senator John Kerry, Remarks at New York University, New York,
NY, September 20, 2004:
The satisfaction we take in his downfall does not hide this
fact: we have traded a dictator for a chaos that has left
America less secure.
Anne Q. Hoy, ``Dean Faces More Criticism,'' [New York]
Newsday, December 17, 2003, Kerry Questioned Judgment of
Those Claiming Saddam's Capture Doesn't Help American
Security:
Those who doubted whether Iraq or the world would be better
off without Saddam Hussein, and those who believe we are not
safer with his capture, don't have the judgment to be
president or the credibility to be elected president.
FLIP FLOP #5: Decision To Go Into Iraq ``Colossal'' Failure.
Senator John Kerry, Remarks at New York University, New York,
NY, September 20, 2004:
``The President now admits to ``miscalculations'' in Iraq.
That is one of the greatest understatements in recent
American history. His were not the equivalent of accounting
errors. They were colossal failures of judgment--and judgment
is what we look for in a president. This is all the more
stunning because we're not talking about 20/20 hindsight.
Before the war, before he chose to go to war, bi partisan
Congressional hearings . . . major outside studies . . . and
even some in the administration itself . . . predicted
virtually every problem we now face in Iraq.
CNN's ``Inside Politics,'' August 9, 2004, in Response to
Question About How He Would Have Voted if He Knew Then
What He Knows Now, Kerry Confirmed That He Would Still
Have Voted For Use Of Force Resolution:
Yes, I would have voted for the authority. I believe it's
the right authority for a president to have. But I would have
used that authority as I have said throughout this campaign,
effectively. I would have done this very differently from the
way President Bush has.
FLIP FLOP #6: ``Iraq Was Not ``Threat To Our Security.''
Senator John Kerry, Remarks at New York University, New York,
NY, September 20, 2004:
We now know that Iraq had no weapons of mass destruction
and posed no imminent threat to our security.
Ronald Brownstein, ``On Iraq, Kerry Appears Either Torn or
Shrewd,'' Los Angeles Times, January 31, 2003, Kerry
believed that Iraq had weapons of mass destruction and
was a threat:
Kerry said, ``If you don't believe . . . Saddam Hussein is
a threat with nuclear weapons, then you shouldn't vote for
me.''
CNN's ``Inside Politics,'' August 9, 2004, In Response to
Question About How He Would Have Voted if He Knew Then
What He Knows Now, Kerry Confirmed That He Would Still
Have Voted for Use of Force Resolution.
Yes, I would have voted for the authority. I believe it's
the right authority for a president to have. But I would have
used that authority as I have said throughout this campaign,
effectively. I would have done this very differently from the
way President Bush has.
[[Page S9769]]
flip flop #7: iraq war took ``attention and resources'' away from
afghanistan.
Senator John Kerry, Remarks at New York University, New York,
NY, September 20, 2004:
The President's policy in Iraq took our attention and
resources away from other, more serious threats to America.
Threats like . . . the increasing instability in Afghanistan.
CNN's ``Larry King Live,'' December 14, 2001, Kerry Said War
on Terror ``Doesn't End With Afghanistan'' and Suggested
U.S. Move on To Addressing Menace of Saddam Hussein:
I think we clearly have to keep the pressure on terrorism
globally. This doesn't end with Afghanistan by any
imagination. And I think the president has made that clear. I
think we have made that clear. Terrorism is a global menace.
It's a scourge. And it is absolutely vital that we continue,
for instance, Saddam Hussein.
flip flop #8: iraq not ``source of serious disagreement with our
allies'' before war.
Senator John Kerry, Remarks at New York University, New York,
NY, September 20, 2004:
We know that while Iraq was a source of friction, it was
not previously a source of serious disagreement with our
allies in Europe and countries in the Muslim world.
CNN's ``Crossfire,'' November 12, 1997, Kerry Questioned
Where Russia and France's Backbone To Stand up to Saddam
Was:
So clearly the allies may not like it, and I think that's
our great concern--where's the backbone of Russia, where's
the backbone of France, where are they in expressing their
condemnation of such clearly illegal activity, but in a
sense, they're now climbing into a box and they will have
enormous difficulty not following up on this if there is not
compliance by Iraq.
CNN's ``Crossfire,'' November 12, 1997, Kerry Noted French
Have Opposed U.S. on a Number of Foreign Policy Issues:
Well, John, frankly neither you nor I know that we did
nothing. I don't know that for a fact. We certainly didn't
publicly, I agree, but I don't know that we did nothing. But
it's not the first time France has been very difficult, as
the congressman said. I think a lot of us are very
disappointed that the French haven't joined us in a number of
other efforts with respect to China, with respect to other
issues in Asia and elsewhere and also in Europe.
Fox News' ``The O'Reilly Factor,'' May 22, 2002, Kerry says
that Europeans are ``Wrong On Iraq'' and U.S. ``Will Have
To Do What We Need To Do.''
Fox News' Bill O'Reilly: ``The ambassador to Germany is
basically saying what most people in Europe are saying,
senator. They're afraid. They're afraid that if we go after
Saddam Hussein, and all the Arabs get crazy, and the whole
thing blows up, that Europe's going to take the brunt of
this. I said you can't negotiate with tyrants out of fear.
How do you feel about it?''
Senator John Kerry: ``I agree with you. . . . [I] think
that you're correct in making that judgment. And I think
we've all reached a judgment that obviously the United States
has to protect our national security interests. And we have
to do what we think is right. I do think the European
demonstrations are larger than just Iraq. I think they're
concerned about other issues, like global warming. They're
concerned about proliferation. They're concerned about--I
mean, there are a whole host of issues. So I think it's a
more confused bag than just Iraq, but I think they're wrong
on Iraq. I mean, plain and simply, the United States will
have to do what we need to do, and our best judgment to
protect our national security. And quite frankly, if we do
what we need to do, it will also wind up protecting Europe.''
flip flop #9: President's iraq policy ``has weakened'' national
security.
Senator John Kerry, Remarks at New York University, New York,
NY, September 20, 2004:
Let me put it plainly: The President's policy in Iraq has
not strengthened our national security. It has weakened it.
Anne Q. Hoy, ``Dean Faces More Criticism,'' [New York]
Newsday, December 17, 2003, Kerry Questioned Judgment of
Those Claiming Saddam's Capture Doesn't Help American
Security:
Those who doubted whether Iraq or the world would be better
off without Saddam Hussein, and those who believe we are not
safer with his capture, don't have the judgment to be
president or the credibility to be elected president.
flip flop #10: would not have invaded iraq given what he knows now.
Senator John Kerry, Remarks at New York University, New York,
NY, September 20, 2004:
Yet today, President Bush tells us that he would do
everything all over again, the same way. How can he possibly
be serious? Is he really saying that if we knew there were no
imminent threat, no weapons of mass destruction, no ties to
Al Qaeda, the United States should have invaded Iraq? My
answer is no--because a Commander-in-Chief's first
responsibility is to make a wise and responsible decision to
keep America safe.
CNN's ``Inside Politics,'' August 9, 2004, In Response to
Question About How He Would Have Voted if He Knew Then
What He Knows Now, Kerry Confirmed That He Would Still
Have Voted for Use of Force Resolution:
Yes, I would have voted for the authority. I believe it's
the right authority for a president to have. But I would have
used that authority as I have said throughout this campaign,
effectively. I would have done this very differently from the
way President Bush has.
flip flop #11: `` `capability' to acquire weapons'' not reason enough
for war.
Senator John Kerry, Remarks at New York University, New York,
NY, September 20, 2004:
Now the president, in looking for a new reason, tries to
hang his hat on the `capability' to acquire weapons. But that
was not the reason given to the nation; it was not the reason
Congress voted on; it's not a reason, it's an excuse.
Senator John Kerry, Congressional Record, October 9, 2002,
page S10171, Kerry Called Those Who Would Leave Saddam
Alone ``Naive to the Point of Grave Danger: ``
It would be naive to the point of grave danger not to
believe that, left to his own devices, Saddam Hussein will
provoke, misjudge, or stumble into a future, more dangerous
confrontation with the civilized world.
CBS' ``Face The Nation,'' September 15, 2002, Kerry Said
Saddam's Miscalculations are Biggest Concern, Not
``Actual'' WMD:
I would disagree with John McCain that it's the actual
weapons of mass destruction he may use against us, it's what
he may do in another invasion of Kuwait or in a
miscalculation about the Kurds or a miscalculation about Iran
or particularly Israel. Those are the things that--that I
think present the greatest danger. He may even miscalculate
and slide these weapons off to terrorist groups to invite
them to be a surrogate to use them against the United States.
It's the miscalculation that poses the greatest threat.
flip flop #12: ``cannot afford'' to fail in iraq.
Senator John Kerry, Remarks at New York University, New York,
NY, September 20, 2004:
In Iraq, we have a mess on our hands. But we cannot throw
up our hands. We cannot afford to see Iraq become a permanent
source of terror that will endanger America's security for
years to come.
October 17, 2003, S. 1689, CQ Vote #400: Passed 87-12: R 50-
0; D 37-11; I 0-1, Kerry Voted Nay:
Kerry voted against the $87 billion supplemental supporting
our troops and providing resources needed to win in Iraq.
flip flop #13: iraq war ``made us less secure.''
Senator John Kerry, Remarks at New York University, New York,
NY, September 20, 2004:
I believe the invasion of Iraq has made us less secure and
weaker in the war against terrorism.
Anne Q. Hoy, ``Dean Faces More Criticism,'' [New York]
Newsday, December 17, 2003, Kerry Questioned Judgment of
Those Claiming Saddam's Capture Doesn't Help American
Security:
Those who doubted whether Iraq or the world would be better
off without Saddam Hussein, and those who believe we are not
safer with his capture, don't have the judgment to be
president or the credibility to be elected president.
flip flop #14: would have continued containment of saddam.
Senator John Kerry, Remarks at New York University, New York,
NY, September 20, 2004:
I would have tightened the noose and continued to pressure
and isolate Saddam Hussein--who was weak and getting weaker--
so that he would pose no threat to the region or America.
Senator John Kerry, Committee on Armed Services and Committee
on Foreign Relations, U.S. Senate, Joint Hearing,
September 3, 1998, Kerry Expressed Opposition to ``Policy
of Containment:''
So we've got a major set of choices to make here. And we'd
better make them. We've been sliding into a fundamental
policy of containment, which I share with Major Ritter the
notion is disastrous to our overall proliferation interests
and disastrous with respect to the Middle East and our
interests with respect to Saddam Hussein and Iraq. But we
have to make a decision whether we're prepared to do what is
necessary, and I mean to the point of a sustained targeting
of the regime; not the Iraqi people, but the regime.
Mr. LOTT. But it goes beyond just the war on Iraq. What worries me is
there is a pattern here, across the board, not only in that area that
threatens our very security and our lives, the war on terrorism, but in
area after area, issue after issue.
For instance, in 1991 Senator Kerry supported most-favored trade
status for China and now he criticizes the Bush administration for
trading with China.
Which is it? You cannot be for it and against it when you talk about
international trade. Trade is good. America can compete. We do need to
enlarge the pie. We need to make sure we have fair trade. But you
cannot vote one way on trade and then be critical of it on the other
side.
[[Page S9770]]
In October 2003, Senator Kerry called the fence that is being built
in Israel for security purposes a ``barrier to peace.'' He was critical
of it. Yet in February of 2004, he calls the fence a ``legitimate act
of self-defense.'' You can't get into a very dangerous and sensitive
situation like this and say one thing and then the other. What is it?
Which is it? An uncertain trumpet takes lives.
Even in the case of eliminating the marriage penalty for the middle
class, Senator Kerry said he will fight to keep the tax relief for
married couples. He said Democrats fought to end the marriage penalty
tax. Yet in 1998, he voted against eliminating the marriage penalty
relief for married taxpayers with a combined income of less than
$50,000 a year. Last week when we actually extended the elimination of
that marriage penalty tax, of course, he didn't vote.
He even flip-flopped on the PATRIOT Act. The PATRIOT Act is a
favorite punching bag now.
I was here when the death debate occurred. I remember the broad
unanimous support involved in passing that legislation. We needed to do
some things to give our law enforcement people the ability to deal with
these terrorists. If you look at what has transpired since then, this
great fear of having your library card checked or a ``knock in the
night'' is not occurring. So he voted for it, and now he attacks the
PATRIOT Act. He said:
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.
I think that is an unfair shot at our former colleague, the Attorney
General of the United States. Again, Senator Kerry was for the Patriot
Act and now he is against it.
On the gay marriage amendment, in 2002, Senator Kerry signed a letter
urging the Massachusetts legislature to reject a constitutional
amendment banning gay marriage. Yet now in 2004 he won't rule out
supporting a similar amendment. Which is it? Is it one thing in
Massachusetts and another here in Washington?
Also, I think when you get into other issues like the death penalty
for terrorists, these are relevant issues we can't take the wrong
position on. Yet, in 1996, he attacked Governor Weld of Massachusetts
for supporting the death penalty for terrorists. But now he said he
might support the death penalty for terrorists.
On the No Child Left Behind Act, he voted for it, and now he attacks
it as a ``mockery.'' He trashed it as an ``unfunded mandate'' with
``laudable goals.''
Let me tell you that I am a son of a schoolteacher. I was in public
education all my life. I didn't go to some elite school. I went to
public education. I stay in touch with teachers and administrators. And
they tell me it is making a difference. We have goals and challenges.
Teachers are doing better, students are doing better, and the money has
been going up every year.
On issue after issue, he has flip-flopped.
I ask unanimous consent that the remainder of this lengthy list be
printed in the Record.
There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in
the Record, as follows:
flip-flopped On Affirmative Action
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.''
Senator 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
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
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?''
Senator 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
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 Small Business Income Taxes
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)
[[Page S9771]]
Kerry Flip-Flopped On 50-Cent Gas Tax Increase
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
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
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 Tax Credits For Small Business Health
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
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.''
Senator John Kerry says expanding coverage is ``my
passion.'' (Susan Page, ``Health Specifics Could Backfire On
Candidates,'' USA Today, 6/2/03)
Flip-Flops On Stock Options Expensing
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.''
(Senator 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
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 PACs
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 `naive' 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
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 Ballistic Missile Defense
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
[[Page S9772]]
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/l/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
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
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.'' (Senator John Kerry,
Remarks At University Of California At Los Angeles, Los
Angeles, CA, 2/27/04)
Flip Flopped On Internet Taxation
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 10-1, 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.'' (Senator John Kerry, Congressional
Record, 11/15/01, p. S11902)
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Massachusetts.
Mr. KENNEDY. Mr. President, do I have 20 minutes?
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator is correct.
Mr. KENNEDY. I ask the Chair to remind me when I have 4 minutes left.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator will be notified.
____________________