Kerry talks about how to pressure Hussein to accept inspections
First the GOP video quotes just one line, to create the false impression that Kerry is talking about why we need to go to war with Iraq. Then it jumps to a discussion of the need to put pressure on Saddam. You're supposed to think that Kerry supports military action against Iraq. What he's really talking about: How to force Saddam to accept inspections and how to encourage forces opposed to Saddam within Iraq.
O'REILLY: How would you put enough pressure on him to open up inspections again?
KERRY: Well, I'll reinvigorate that process as step number one, and I think the administration is now suddenly starting to move in that direction. I think you have to work our allies sufficiently to pull that component of the effort back together. But the second thing I would do, and I wouldn't hesitate to do it, is back opposition more openly, and do it in a way that begins to put a counterinsurgency in the country itself... The important thing is that Saddam Hussein and the world knows that we think Saddam Hussein is essentially out of synch with the times. He is and has acted like a terrorist, and he has engaged in activities that are unacceptable.
O'REILLY: But I — you know, I still don't see the hammer
that's going to convince him to open anything up.
KERRY: The hammer, ultimately, will be the evidence that we uncover
as we go further down the trail that shows his support for terrorism
and begins to build the coalition even more strongly.
The video jumps to a spot where Kerry is talking about putting
the heat on Saddam Hussein (a part of the interview which actually
came before the part they've already shown). What they don't show
you is what he said bout how to put pressure on
Saddam. Kerry talks about working our alliances to put more
pressure on him and encouraging opposition forces within Iraq.
KERRY: I think we ought to put the heat on Saddam Hussein. I've
said that for a number of years, Bill. I criticized the Clinton
administration for backing off of the inspections when Ambassador
Butler was giving us strong evidence that we needed to continue.
I think we need to put the pressure on no matter what the evidence
is about September 11.
But I think we have to do it in a thoughtful and intelligent
way.
O'REILLY: Which is what? I mean, look, you know, the guy...
KERRY: Well, (UNINTELLIGIBLE)...
O'REILLY: ... the guy is simply — he is an out of control
guy...
KERRY: Absolutely.
O'REILLY: ... and he's not going to, he's not going to respond
to embargoes, no-fly zones. He's not going to do that. How would
you put enough pressure on him to open up inspections again?
KERRY: Well, I'll reinvigorate that process as step number one,
and I think the administration is now suddenly starting to move
in that direction. I think you have to work our allies sufficiently
to pull that component of the effort back together.
But the second thing I would do, and I wouldn't hesitate to do
it, is back opposition more openly, and do it in a way that begins
to put a counterinsurgency in the country itself.
[O'Reilly Factor, December 11, 2001]
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