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Republicans produce video capturing Kerry's evolution on Iraq in his words

Using video clips of Kerry discussing Iraq on various talk shows, the Republican National Committee has put together an 11-minute video that traces how Kerry struggled with the issue of Iraq through 2003 and early 2004 as he competed for — and finally won — the Democratic presidential nomination. 

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Republicans produce video capturing Kerry's evolution on Iraq in his words

BOSTON (AP) — Republicans think they've found the ideal person to explain in detail the Democratic presidential candidate's evolving position on the war in Iraq — John Kerry himself. 

Using video clips of Kerry discussing Iraq on various talk shows, the Republican National Committee has put together an 11-minute video that traces how Kerry struggled with the issue of Iraq through 2003 and early 2004 as he competed for — and finally won — the Democratic presidential nomination. 

Republicans publicly unveiled the video Wednesday morning and sent it by e-mail to about 8 million supporters. 

GOP officials also were pondering how to make the video, produced by Laura Crawford of the Texas firm Crawford Creative, available to the general public. 

"I reached out to Miramax and asked them if they would consider using it," Republican national Chairman Ed Gillespie said, referring to the film company that initially had the rights to the anti-Bush movie Fahrenheit 9/11 and was involved in finding a distributor. Gillespie suggested the Kerry video could be a "a trailer to Fahrenheit 9/11." 

In the video clips, Kerry gradually shifts from harsh anti-Saddam Hussein rhetoric in 2001 and 2002 to more cautious comments about Iraq in late 2003 and then to anti-war comments by early 2004. 

"We've all reached a judgment the United States has to protect its interests," Kerry says on one talk show in early 2002. Saddam "may even slide these weapons off to terrorist groups, it's the miscalculation that poses the greatest threat," he says on a September 2002 talk show. 

The video reminds that Kerry voted in October 2002 to authorize President Bush to use force. 

Through 2003 and early 2004, Kerry became more cautious and talked against the war, as problems grew in Iraq and his primary campaign against anti-war candidate Howard Dean became more intense. 

The video notes that Kerry voted against $87 billion for Iraq and Afghanistan in October 2003. 

"There's no question that comments here or there, taken out of context and thrown together, are intended by Republicans to try to simplify or dumb down a crucial issue of war and peace into a simple yes-no question," said James Rubin, a senior foreign policy adviser to the Kerry campaign. 

Rubin said Kerry always believed the way the United States went to war was the critical question — giving inspections in Iraq a chance and building alliances first. "John Kerry showed he understood the complexities about going to war the right way," said Rubin. 

Said Chad Clanton, a Kerry spokesman: "This video is nothing but a stale old attack from the Bush-Cheney campaign, who can't for the life of them find anything positive to say." 

Republicans offered to release the full video of any talk show interview used in making the GOP's Kerry video. 

While the video clips are often brief and lack context, they do appear to show Kerry evolving from a harsh critic of Saddam to an anti-war candidate by early 2004 at the height of the campaign for the nomination. The Kerry campaign released more complete versions of the interviews they said show the GOP video distorts Kerry's positions on Iraq. 

In early January 2004 with the critical Iowa caucuses looming, "Hardball" host Chris Matthews demands to know if Kerry is an anti-war candidate. 

Kerry hesitates, then says, "I am ... yes." 

At that point, the theme song about the lovable TV porpoise "Flipper" chimes in. 

"They call him Flipper, Flipper, faster than lightning. No one at sea, is smarter than he." 

Copyright 2004 The Associated Press

RNC AD BACKGROUNDER 

"Kerry Iraq Documentary" 

Ad Text 
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CHYRON: In the year leading up to the Iraq war, Senator Kerry consistently viewed Saddam Hussein as a threat to the United States and "one who is and has acted like a terrorist." (Fox News’ "The O’Reilly Factor," 12/11/01) 

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SEN. JOHN KERRY: "[I]t is something that we know-for instance, Saddam Hussein has used weapons of mass destruction against his own people, and there is some evidence of their efforts to try to secure these kinds of weapons and even test them." (CBS’ "Face The Nation," 9/23/01) 

CHYRON: "Face The Nation" 9/23/01 

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KERRY: "He is and has acted like a terrorist, and he has engaged in activities that are unacceptable." (Fox News’ "The O’Reilly Factor," 12/11/01) 

CHYRON: "The O’Reilly Factor" 12/11/01 

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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." (Fox News’ "The O’Reilly Factor," 12/11/01) 

CHYRON: "The O’Reilly Factor" 12/11/01 

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KERRY: "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." (CNN’s "Larry King Live," 12/14/01) 

CHYRON: "Larry King Live" 12/14/01 

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MSNBC’S CHRIS MATTHEWS: "Do you think that the problem we have with Iraq is real and it can be reduced to a diplomatic problem? Can-can we get this guy to accept inspections of those weapons of mass destruction potentially and get past a possible war with him?" (MSNBC’s "Hardball," 2/5/02) 

KERRY: "Outside chance, Chris. Could it be done? The answer is yes. But he would view himself only as buying time and playing a game, in my judgment. Do we have to go through that process? The answer is yes. We’re precisely doing that. And I think that’s what Colin Powell did today." (MSNBC’s "Hardball," 2/5/02) 

CHYRON: "Hardball" 2/5/02 

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KERRY: "September 11th. I mean, that’s changed the dynamic of this country and - and, I think, people’s perceptions of what people are willing to do." (MSNBC’s "Hardball," 2/5/02) 

CHYRON: "Hardball" 2/5/02 

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KERRY: "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." (Fox News’ "The O’Reilly Factor," 5/22/02) 

CHYRON: "The O’Reilly Factor" 5/22/02 

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CHYRON: "I agree completely with this Administration’s goal of a regime change in Iraq ..." - John Kerry, 7/29/02 Remarks at the 2002 DLC National Conversation, NY (Senator John Kerry, Speech To The 2002 DLC National Conversation, New York, NY, 7/29/02) 

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CHYRON: "... 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." - John Kerry, 7/29/02 Remarks at the 2002 DLC National Conversation, NY (Senator John Kerry, Speech To The 2002 DLC National Conversation, New York, NY, 7/29/02) 

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KERRY: "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." (CBS’ "Face The Nation," 9/15/02) 

CHYRON: "Face The Nation" 9/15/02 

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CHYRON: John Kerry Voted 

CHYRON: YEA 

CHYRON: Iraq War Resolution 10/11/02 (H.J. Res. 114, CQ Vote #237: Passed 77-23: R 48-1; D 29-21; I 0-1, 10/11/02, Kerry Voted Yea) 

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CHYRON: Democrats Look for a Candidate 

CHYRON: May 2003 - March 2004 

CHYRON: Democratic Presidential Nominating Contest 

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CHYRON: Senator Kerry sees energy among anti-Iraq war democrats, 

CHYRON: Meets Howard Dean 

CHYRON: And begins to flip and flop. 

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KERRY: "George, I said at the time I would have preferred if we had given diplomacy a greater opportunity, but I think it was the right decision to disarm Saddam Hussein, and when the President made the decision, I supported him, and I support the fact that we did disarm him." (ABC News, Democrat Presidential Candidate Debate, Columbia, SC, 5/3/03) 

CHYRON: Democratic Debate 5/3/03 

ABC NEWS’ GEORGE STEPHANOPOULOS: "Now, Governor Dean, you’ve criticized Senator Kerry on the campaign trail saying he’s tried to have it both ways on the issue of Iraq. Was that answer clear enough for you?" (ABC News, Democrat Presidential Candidate Debate, Columbia, SC, 5/3/03) 

CHYRON: Democratic Debate 5/3/03 

FORMER GOV. HOWARD DEAN (D-VT): "[I] think this was the wrong war at the wrong time ..." (ABC News, Democrat Presidential Candidate Debate, Columbia, SC, 5/3/03) 

CHYRON: Democratic Debate 5/3/03 

STEPHANOPOULOS: "But do you believe Senator Kerry is still trying to have it both ways?" (ABC News, Democrat Presidential Candidate Debate, Columbia, SC, 5/3/03) 

CHYRON: Democratic Debate 5/3/03 

SEN. JOE LIEBERMAN (D-CT): "[B]oth have sent an uncertain message, one in principled opposition to the war, Governor Dean. The other an ambivalence about the war, which does not - will not give the people confidence about our party’s willingness to make the tough decisions to protect their security in a world after September 11." (ABC News, Democrat Presidential Candidate Debate, Columbia, SC, 5/3/03) 

CHYRON: Democratic Debate 5/3/03 

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CHYRON: Dean says, "I am now convinced more than ever that it was a mistake to have given this administration a blank check to engage in this war ..." - Howard Dean, Cox News Service, 7/10/03 (Scott Shepard, "Democrat Kerry Demands Bush 'Tell The Truth' About Iraq War," Cox News Service, 7/10/03) 

CHYRON: "... as too many in Congress did when they supported the Iraqi war resolution." - Howard Dean, Cox News Service, 7/10/03 (Scott Shepard, "Democrat Kerry Demands Bush 'Tell The Truth' About Iraq War," Cox News Service, 7/10/03) 

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CHYRON: "The Dean Dilemma" (Howard Fineman, "The Dean Dilemma," Newsweek, 1/12/04) 

CHYRON: "The Dean Factor" (Time, 8/11/03) 

CHYRON: "Howard Dean: Destiny or Disaster" (Newsweek, 8/11/03) 

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KERRY: "And the fact is, in the resolution that we passed, we did not empower the President to do regime change." (NBC’s "Meet The Press," 8/31/03) 

CHYRON: "Meet The Press" 8/31/03 

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CNN’S CANDY CROWLEY: "Dean's asterisk has turned into a star. He leads in Iowa polls, where next-door neighbor Richard Gephardt must win. And he leads in New Hampshire, where John Kerry must stake claim. ... Asked about the kind of candidate they're looking for, a majority of Democrats said they want someone who opposed the war. Strike Lieberman, Gephardt, Edwards and Kerry, all of whom voted for the war, most of whom have been, if not exactly backtracking, certainly revamping." (CNN’s "Crossfire Goes Inside Politics," 9/1/03) 

CHYRON: Candy Crowley - CNN 

CHYRON: "Crossfire Goes Inside Politics," 9/1/03 

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KERRY: "I voted to threaten the use of force to make Saddam Hussein comply with the resolutions of the United Nations." (Sen. John Kerry, Remarks At Announcement Of Candidacy, Patriot’s Point, SC, 9/2/03) 

CHYRON: Presidential Announcement 

CHYRON: 9/2/03 

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KERRY: "But the president and his advisors did not do almost anything correctly in the walk-up to the war. They rushed to war. They were intent on going to war. They did not give legitimacy to the inspections. We could have still been doing inspections even today, George." (ABC’s "This Week," 10/12/03) 

CHYRON: "This Week" 10/12/03 

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CHYRON: John Kerry on S. 1689 

CHYRON: Emergency Supplemental Appropriations 

CHYRON: For Iraq and Afghanistan 

CHYRON: Security & Reconstruction 

CHYRON: Vote date: 10/17/2003. 4:49pm 

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LOS ANGELES TIMES’ DOYLE McMANUS: "If that amendment does not pass, will you then vote against the $87 billion?" (CBS’ "Face The Nation," 9/14/03) 

KERRY: "I don’t think any United States senator is going to abandon our troops and recklessly leave Iraq to whatever follows as a result of simply cutting and running. That’s irresponsible. What is responsible is for the administration to do this properly now. And I am laying out the way in which the administration could unite the American people, could bring other countries to the table, and I think could give the American people a sense that they're on the right track. There's a way to do this properly. But I don't think anyone in the Congress is going to not give our troops ammunition, not give our troops the ability to be able to defend themselves. We're not going to cut and run and not do the job." (CBS’ "Face The Nation," 9/14/03) 

CHYRON: "Face The Nation" 9/14/03 

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CHYRON: John Kerry Voted 

CHYRON: NAY 

CHYRON: S. 1689 10/17/03 

CHYRON: Emergency Supplemental Appropriations for 

CHYRON: For Iraq and Afghanistan Security & Reconstruction (S. 1689, CQ Vote #400: Passed 87-12: R 50-0; D 37-11; I 0-1, 10/17/03, Kerry Voted Nay) 

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CHARLES KRAUTHAMMER: "He also made what turned out to be a fatal political mistake, I think, which is he voted in favor of the war. Fatal if you're a Democrat and a candidate, and the war is now looking a little less glorious than it did in April. And Dean has a consistent opposition, he has the energy and the fire, and he's been rabid on this for over a year." (WUSA’s "Inside Washington," 11/15/03) 

CHYRON: WUSA-TV 

CHYRON: "Inside Washington" 11/15/03 

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MSNBC’S CHRIS MATTHEWS: "Are you one of the anti-war candidates?" (MSNBC’s "Hardball," 1/6/04) 

KERRY: "I am - Yeah." (MSNBC’s "Hardball," 1/6/04) 

CHYRON: "Hardball" 1/6/04 

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CHYRON: And so he was. 

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CHYRON: Iowa Caucuses 

CHYRON: John Kerry Wins 

CHYRON: January 19, 2004 (Ken Guggenheim, "Dems Say Bush Speech Belies Dark Reality, The Associated Press, 1/20/04) 

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CHYRON: New Hampshire Primary 

CHYRON: John Kerry Wins 

CHYRON: January 27, 2004 (David E. Sanger, "The Struggle For Iraq: The White House," The New York Times, 1/28/04) 

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CHYRON: Arizona, Delaware, Missouri 

CHYRON: Primaries & New Mexico And 

CHYRON: North Dakota Caucuses 

CHYRON: John Kerry Wins 

CHYRON: February 3, 2004 (Adam Nagourney, "Kerry Rolling On," The New York Times, 2/4/04) 

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CHYRON: Michigan And 

CHYRON: Washington Primaries 

CHYRON: John Kerry Wins 

CHYRON: February 7, 2004 (Adam Nagourney and Katharine Q. Seelye, "Kerry Victorious By Wide Margins In 2 More States," The New York Times, 2/8/0) 

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CHYRON: Maine Caucuses 

CHYRON: John Kerry Wins 

CHYRON: February 8, 2004 (David E. Rosenbaum, "Kerry Is Victorious In The Maine Caucuses," The New York Times, 2/9/04) 

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CHYRON: Virginia And Tennessee 

CHYRON: Primaries 

CHYRON: John Kerry Wins 

CHYRON: February 10, 2004 ("The Veepstakes Obssession," Washingtonpost.Com, 2/11/04) 

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CHYRON: Nevada Caucus 

CHYRON: And Washington, DC 

CHYRON: Ward Caucuses 

CHYRON: John Kerry Wins 

CHYRON: February 14, 2004 (James Dao and Sheryl Gay Stolberg, "Kerry Triumphs In Nevada And District Of Columbia," The New York Times, 2/15/04) 

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CHYRON: Wisconsin Primary 

CHYRON: John Kerry Wins 

CHYRON: February 17, 2004 (Adam Nagourney, "Kerry Holds Off Push By Edwards In Wisconsin Vote," The New York Times, 2/18/04) 

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CHYRON: Hawaii And Idaho 

CHYRON: Caucuses 

CHYRON: & Utah Primary 

CHYRON: John Kerry Wins 

CHYRON: February 24, 2004 (Sharon Schmickle, "Kerry Talks Jobs In St. Paul," Star Tribune, 2/26/04) 

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CHYRON: California, Connecticut, Georgia 

CHYRON: Maryland, Massachusetts 

CHYRON: New York, Ohio And Rhode Island 

CHYRON: Primaries & Minnesota Caucus 

CHYRON: John Kerry Wins 

CHYRON: March 2, 2004 (Adam Nagourney, "Kerry In Big Victories Across Nation," The New York Times, 3/3/04) 

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CHYRON: Florida, Louisiana 

CHYRON: Mississippi 

CHYRON: And Texas Primaries 

CHYRON: John Kerry Wins 

CHYRON: March 9, 2004 ("Kerry Hits Chicago," Chicago Tribune, 3/10/04) 

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CHYRON: How will he explain it? 

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CHYRON: Let the word games begin! 

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KERRY: "I actually did vote for the $87 billion before I voted against it ..." (Glen Johnson, "Kerry Blasts Bush On Protecting Troops," The Boston Globe, 3/17/04) 

CHYRON: March 16, 2004 

KERRY: "I actually did vote for the $87 billion before I voted against it ..." (Glen Johnson, "Kerry Blasts Bush On Protecting Troops," The Boston Globe, 3/17/04) 

CHYRON: March 15, 2004 

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KERRY: "I'm proud to say that John joined me in voting against that $87 billion ..." (John Kerry, Remarks At "Women's Voices: A Luncheon with John Kerry," Boston, MA, 7/12/04) 

CHYRON: July 12, 2004 

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CHYRON: John Kerry has been anti-Iraq war before. 

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CHYRON: John Kerry Voted 

CHYRON: NAY 

CHYRON: S. J. Res. 2 January 12, 1991 

CHYRON: Kerry voted Against the use of force in Iraq (S. J. Res. 2, CQ Vote #2: Passed 52-47: R 42-2; D 10-45, 1/12/91, Kerry Voted Nay) 

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CHYRON: And John Kerry has explained his position before. 

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ABC’S COKIE ROBERTS: "Senator Kerry, that was something you voted against ... was that Persian Gulf war." (ABC’s "Nightline," 11/27/95) 

SEN. JOHN KERRY: "I voted against the timing of it, Cokie. I said very clearly in my statement on the Senate floor that I was committed to getting Saddam Hussein out of Kuwait ... and that I was prepared to go to war if it took that ..." (ABC’s "Nightline," 11/27/95) 

CHYRON: "ABC’s Nightline" 11/27/95 

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KERRY: "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," 11/12/97) 

CHYRON: "CNN’s Crossfire" 11/12/97 

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CHYRON: And John Kerry has flip flopped before. 

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KERRY: "I think there is a disconnect between the depth of the threat that Saddam Hussein presents to the world and what we are at the moment talking about doing. ... [T]hen we have to be prepared to go the full distance, which is to do everything possible to disrupt his regime and to encourage the forces of democracy." (ABC’s "This Week," 2/22/98) 

ABC’S COKIE ROBERTS: "And does that mean ground troops in Iraq?" (ABC’s "This Week," 2/22/98) 

KERRY: "I am personally prepared, if that’s what it meant." (ABC’s "This Week," 2/22/98) 

CHYRON: "This Week" 2/22/98 

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KERRY: "[H]e can rebuild both chemical and biological. And every indication is, because of his deception and duplicity in the past, he will seek to do that. So we will not eliminate the problem for ourselves or for the rest of the world with a bombing attack." (ABC’s "This Week," 2/22/98) 

CHYRON: "This Week" 2/22/98 

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KERRY: "[I] believe he is the kind of threat that has been described. I believe that in the post-Cold War period this issue of proliferation, particularly in the hands of Saddam Hussein, is critical. It has implications for a Qaddafi, for a Sudan, for other countries in the world in the future." (ABC’s "This Week," 2/22/98) 

GEORGE WILL: "Senator Kerry, you’re way ahead of the commander in chief in this regard." (ABC’s "This Week," 2/22/98) 

KERRY: "I am way ahead of the commander in chief, and I’m probably way ahead of my colleagues and certainly of much of the country. But I believe this. I believe that he has used these weapons before. He has invaded another country. He views himself as a modern-day Nebuchadnezzar. He wants to continue to play the uniting critical role in that part of the world. And I think we have to stand up to that." (ABC’s "This Week," 2/22/98) 

CHYRON: "This Week" 2/22/98 

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CHYRON: JOHN KERRY 

CHYRON: Voted against the Iraq war ... 

CHYRON: Before he was for the Iraq war ... 

CHYRON: Before he voted for the Iraq war ... 

CHYRON: Before he was against the Iraq war ... 

CHYRON: Before he voted for funding the Iraq war ... 

CHYRON: Before he voted against funding. 

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CHYRON: And today, if you ask him if he supports the war? 

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CBS’ LESLIE STAHL: "You voted for this war. Was that vote, given what you know now, a mistake?" (CBS’ "60 Minutes," 7/11/04) 

KERRY: "What - what - what I voted for - Lesley, you - you - you see, you're playing here. What - what I voted for was a - an authority for the president to go to war as a last resort if Saddam Hussein did not disarm and we needed to go to war." (CBS’ "60 Minutes," 7/11/04) 

STAHL: "But I'm trying to find out if you today, now that you know about that report, think the war was a mistake? And I ..." (CBS’ "60 Minutes," 7/11/04) 

KERRY: "I think I answered your question. I think the way he went to war was a mistake." (CBS’ "60 Minutes," 7/11/04) 

CHYRON: "60 Minutes" 7/11/2004 

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CBS’ DAN RATHER: "Voted for the war, but now didn't vote for the money to finance the war." (CBS’ "Evening News," 7/21/04) 

KERRY: "That's not a flip-flop. That's not a flip-flop." (CBS’ "Evening News," 7/21/04) 

CHYRON: Dan Rather: "Voted for the war, but now didn't vote for the money to finance the war ..." 

CHYRON: "CBS Evening News" 7/21/2004 

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CHYRON: Oh really? 

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RNC CHAIRMAN ED GILLESPIE: "The Republican National Committee is responsible for the content of this advertisement." 

CHYRON: Paid for by the Republican National Committee 

CHYRON: Not authorized by any Candidate or Candidate Committee 

CHYRON: www.gop.com