WASHINGTON – John Kerry yesterday rapped President Bush’s handling of a dangerous world, as the Democratic contender put international terrorists on notice that he would “crush” al Qaeda’s networks if he wins the White House.
In what his campaign billed as a major foreign-policy address, Kerry said that despite the fierce election-year politics, the country is standing together when it comes to preventing future attacks.
“This country is united in its determination to destroy you,” said Kerry of the terrorists, in the first of a series of foreign-policy speeches timed to coincide with Memorial Day and President Bush’s trip to Europe for D-Day ceremonies.
“As commander in chief, I will bring the full force of our nation’s power to bear on finding and crushing your networks. We will use every available resource to destroy you,” Kerry said in Seattle.
The Massachusetts senator added, “As president, my No. 1 security goal will be to prevent the terrorists from gaining weapons of mass murder. And our overriding mission will be to disrupt and destroy their terrorist cells.”
The Bush campaign portrayed the speech as disingenuous political grandstanding.
“John Kerry’s approach to the war on terror has been filled with indecision and vacillation,” said Bush campaign spokesman Steve Schmidt. “He has consistently played politics with the war in Iraq.”
Despite the difficult situation in Iraq, Kerry barely touched on the beleaguered country, except to say that he would like the United Nations to appoint a high commissioner and have NATO more involved.
The omission of Iraq is largely driven by the increasing similarities between Kerry and Bush on the issue.
Kerry spelled out four principles that he said would guide his foreign policy: new alliances with foreign countries; an updated military; greater use of diplomacy; and freedom from dependence on oil from the Middle East.
Meanwhile, the latest CBS poll showed that Kerry holds an 8-point lead over Bush among registered voters. But that 49 percent-to-41 percent lead gets even wider if Republican Sen. John McCain is added to the Democratic ticket.
BUSH vs. KERRY: THE WAR ON TERROR
President Bush
Afghanistan support is OK
Supports George Tenet
Don’t increase size of Army
Views Saudi Arabia as ally
Opposes UN High Commissioner for Iraq
John Kerry
Spend more on Afghanistan
Thinks George Tenet has failed
Add 40,000 men to active duty in Army
Critical of Saudis
Wants UN Commissioner for Iraq