10.05.2004
CNN Debate Transcript
For anybody who didn't see the debate, here is the transcript thanks to CNN, so you can read what happened. My favorite back-and-forth of the night? This one right here:
EDWARDS: The vice president suggests that we have the same number of countries involved now that we had in the first Gulf War. The first Gulf War cost the American people $5 billion. And regardless of what the vice president says, we're at $200 billion and counting.
Not only that, 90 percent of the coalition casualties, Mr. Vice President, the coalition casualties, are American casualties. Ninety percent of the cost of this effort are being borne by American taxpayers. It is the direct result of the failures of this administration.
IFILL: Mr. Vice President?
CHENEY: Classic example. He won't count the sacrifice and the contribution of Iraqi allies. It's their country. They're in the fight. They're increasingly the ones out there putting their necks on the line to take back their country from the terrorists and the old regime elements that are still left. They're doing a superb job. And for you to demean their sacrifices strikes me as...
EDWARDS: Oh, I'm not...
CHENEY: ... as beyond...
EDWARDS: I'm not demeaning...
CHENEY: It is indeed. You suggested...
EDWARDS: No, sir, I did not...
CHENEY: ... somehow they shouldn't count, because you want to be able to say that the Americans are taking 90 percent of the sacrifice. You cannot succeed in this effort if you're not willing to recognize the enormous contribution the Iraqis are increasingly making to their own future.
We'll win when they take on responsibility for governance, which they're doing, and when the take on responsibility for their own security, which they increasingly are doing.
Obviously, Cheney turned the question around, and picked his own numbers, as the 90% of coalition forces number is entirely accurate. Of course, if we want to do as Cheney says and include the Iraqi coalition casualties, perhaps we should include all Iraqi casualties.
approx 13,000 Iraqi civilian deaths
approx 1,200 "coalition" casualties
That comes out to about 90% Iraqi and 10% coalition. Obviously, we shouldn't be demeaning the sacrifice they've made. After all, they asked for this war, didn't they?!
EDWARDS: The vice president suggests that we have the same number of countries involved now that we had in the first Gulf War. The first Gulf War cost the American people $5 billion. And regardless of what the vice president says, we're at $200 billion and counting.
Not only that, 90 percent of the coalition casualties, Mr. Vice President, the coalition casualties, are American casualties. Ninety percent of the cost of this effort are being borne by American taxpayers. It is the direct result of the failures of this administration.
IFILL: Mr. Vice President?
CHENEY: Classic example. He won't count the sacrifice and the contribution of Iraqi allies. It's their country. They're in the fight. They're increasingly the ones out there putting their necks on the line to take back their country from the terrorists and the old regime elements that are still left. They're doing a superb job. And for you to demean their sacrifices strikes me as...
EDWARDS: Oh, I'm not...
CHENEY: ... as beyond...
EDWARDS: I'm not demeaning...
CHENEY: It is indeed. You suggested...
EDWARDS: No, sir, I did not...
CHENEY: ... somehow they shouldn't count, because you want to be able to say that the Americans are taking 90 percent of the sacrifice. You cannot succeed in this effort if you're not willing to recognize the enormous contribution the Iraqis are increasingly making to their own future.
We'll win when they take on responsibility for governance, which they're doing, and when the take on responsibility for their own security, which they increasingly are doing.
Obviously, Cheney turned the question around, and picked his own numbers, as the 90% of coalition forces number is entirely accurate. Of course, if we want to do as Cheney says and include the Iraqi coalition casualties, perhaps we should include all Iraqi casualties.
approx 13,000 Iraqi civilian deaths
approx 1,200 "coalition" casualties
That comes out to about 90% Iraqi and 10% coalition. Obviously, we shouldn't be demeaning the sacrifice they've made. After all, they asked for this war, didn't they?!
