White House Watch: Gary Hart backs Kerry on Iraq
One-time presidential candidate and former Sen. Gary Hart is pushing Sen. John Kerry's plan for a measured withdrawal of troops from Iraq. What's more, Hart is crediting Kerry's month-old proposal for sparking widespread Democratic demands that the president spell out his Iraq strategy, which he did this morning.
"When I first read John Kerry's October speech on Iraq, I knew it was a turning point," Hart wrote to Americans who subscribe to Kerry's website. johnkerry.com "In recent weeks, Democratic leaders across America–Jack Murtha, Ted Kennedy, Joe Biden, Pat Leahy, John Edwards, and Barack Obama–have questioned the Bush administration's unfocused 'stay as long as it takes' approach. Democrats have joined together to offer substantive alternatives to get it right in Iraq and made it clear that our conscience and conviction lie with taking care of our troops," he added.
Hart's use of the Kerry mailing list and his endorsement of Kerry's plan mark the latest demonstration by the Massachusetts senator that he plans to stay engaged in national policy as he mulls a second try at the presidency. Most political strategists believe that he will run. Associates note that he is essentially following the same strategy leading to a run that he did in 2002-2004. That strategy had Kerry giving some major policy addresses, traveling extensively, and keeping his name in the media.
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