American Democrats in New Zealand Weigh-in on Bush-Kerry Debate
CHRISTCHURCH —Today’s debate between rival U.S. presidential candidates John Kerry and George W. Bush focussed on
foreign policy, with President Bush’s decision to wage war in Iraq taking centre stage. John Kerry admitted he made a
mistake voting with a Congressional majority authorising the war, but claimed the president’s decision to wage the war
and his misleading justifications for it were bigger mistakes. Kerry pledged to correct both if he is elected in
November.
American Democrats watching the debate live in New Zealand say they found Kerry confident, poised and respectful.
“George W. Bush wanted this debate about foreign policy because it’s his strong suit. But John Kerry displayed the
confidence and competence expected of America’s commander-in-chief,” said Mark Chubb, chair of the Democrats Abroad
country committee in New Zealand.
While Bush questioned Kerry’s voting record on the war, his response to Kerry’s accusations that he misled the American
people and her allies abroad led many of those watching here to question the president’s values. “The president
suggested admitting he made a mistake by taking the decision to invade Iraq would be the wrong thing to do. He argued
that changing tack now goes against his core values and would undermine the troops’ morale and other world leaders’
confidence in his abilities. This only indicates how far out of touch he has become: Confidence in and respect for
America’s moral leadership is at an all-time low overseas,” said the New Zealand co-chair of Americans Overseas for
Kerry, Ronald Nelson.
“Rebuilding relationships with America ’s friends and allies requires a president who isn’t afraid to correct the
mistakes of the past to forge a better future,” said Mr Nelson. “If this means abandoning failed foreign policies that
repudiate arms control and non-proliferation agreements, damage the natural environment, consume its resources at an
unsustainable pace, and undermine efforts to hold all nations accountable to the same standards of international justice
while burying future generations under a burgeoning mountain of war-debt, then so much the better.”
Democrats here agreed that a safer, more secure world, free from the scourge of international terrorism cannot be
achieved by undermining civil liberties at home or placing the United States ’ interests above those of its friends and
allies abroad. “Freedom cannot thrive in an atmosphere of fear and mistrust. John Kerry will restore American
credibility by upholding the country’s commitment to human rights, justice and democratic values, while employing force
only as a last resort,” said Mr Chubb.