perfidy

Well Krauthammer spells it out pretty clearly. Kerry hasn't shared any specifics with us, and it really torques me.

"A vote for me is a vote for the UN" seems to be the essence of Kerry's Iraq policy but there's no substance to it. And this "policy" sounds even more anemic when we remember the simple fact that the UN doesn't want the job. The UN won't help in any significant way in Iraq until the place is safe enough for coddled East Side Euro-crats to get their morning lattes and not get blown up.

As best I understand it, the UN won't help in Iraq until the country is secured, or at least those neighborhoods where the UN wants to live. So, the US needs to pacify the place. But that's precisely the area where the US needs the help, not in martial but social matters that confer some semblance of legitimacy.

So the UN position is a little difficult to fathom in the common sense world, but not so much in the diplomacy world. When Kofi Anan says, "Mr President, we'd love to help make Iraq a safer place but we simply cannot until the US makes Iraq a safer place", John Kerry nods approvingly, deeply furrowed brow furrowing deeper on cue as he grapples with the depth and wisdom of such a position. Whereas the rest of us go "Huh?"

I hope against hope that someday before November Kerry will actually spell out a specific Iraq policy. Unless he alrady did, in diplo-speak, and I missed it.

re: "Kerry hasn't shared any specifics with us, and it really torques me."

Nor has Bush and Bush is obligated to do so. Broad generalities and ever shifting spin don't count.

Yes, I wish Kerry would say something concrete on Iraq (and on many other things), however unlike Bush he is not obligated to do so.

GP,
I take your point.

But I don't like Bush either. "Smoke 'em out and bring 'em to justice" doesn't sound like a policy so much as dialogue from an episode of "Bonanza".

GP, he may not be obligated... well, yes he is. In a 'nuanced' manner of speaking, if he wants to be President then that means people are expecting to hear concrete positions from him. Not giving any isn't helping him at all.