John Kerry's Iraq speech: Your reaction

John Kerry has made an outspoken attack on President Bush over the conflict in Iraq.

In a speech at New York University, the US Democrat presidential candidate accused Mr Bush of "colossal failures of judgement".

He said that the president's decision to go to war against Iraq had distracted from a greater threat to the US - more terrorist attacks - and created a crisis which could lead to an unending war.

The Bush campaign has accused Mr Kerry of inconsistency on Iraq and said a change in the middle of the war was not what the nation needed.

What do you think of John Kerry's speech? Was it the right thing to do or an act of desperation?

This debate is now closed. Read a selection of your comments below.

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The following comments reflect the balance of opinion we have received so far:

No leader will ever know what he truly stands for, or means William Ward, USA

Wow! Just how many times can this man flip-flop? John Kerry has taken every point of view on Iraq, now I am waiting for his next speech in which I am sure we will all hear another flip-flop. Maybe Mr Kerry needs to sport flip-flops on his feet during his stomping? This man can't be trusted to be the world's most powerful man. No leader will ever know what he truly stands for, or means, and during talks with other leaders he should always say, "I reserve the right to change my mind at least 100 times per hour!"
William Ward, USA

While I may not always agree with everything that Kerry says at least he is willing to listen to what other people have to say. If it wasn't for Bush we would have never been in this place to begin with. Bush is just a little boy who is playing war. Those aren't nameless and faceless people over in Iraq - those are our friends and family members. Most people here are talking about Kerry's inconsistency but what about Bush? Why is it that Bush sees no problem in keeping a list of what books we check out of a library to read, but it goes against our rights to keep a list of people who buy guns? I am sorry but what is going to kill more people and be used in more crimes a book or a gun? Talk about being inconsistent. Bush now gets to decide when we have rights and when we don't ?
Carrie, Colchester, Vermont, USA

Finally the presidential campaign has begun. Kerry will fare better if he focuses on issues and provides clear alternatives as he did finally yesterday. Let's look forward to the presidential debates.
R Murthy, Montreal, Canada

Get Real Kerry! Stop being tossed about by the waves of public opinion. I am waiting for the next wave to catch and take him to deep water and see how he struggles. An effective leader does not get tossed by the waves of public opinions but rides on the waves and does what is right.
Richard Ting, Singapore

Kerry says one thing one day and something different the next. You can't have someone like that running America.
Jan, Kent, USA

It was great. About time!
Jim Heaton, Seattle, WA, USA

John Kerry is desperate. He will say anything to win votes.
Hanson, USA

The emperor has no clothes Mike, Wilmington, USA

Once again, the emperor has no clothes. Just empty rhetoric and Monday Morning quarterbacking. Another Empty Suit courtesy of the Democratic Party.
Mike, Wilmington, USA

I went to a Democratic caucus in West Seattle. No one voted for Kerry. Dean won the most delegates, then came Kuchinitz, and Clark. All these people were against the war in Iraq, including myself. Then someone told me that Kerry had gotten a lot of e-mail votes and had won. I had never heard of Senator Kerry before. Now he is the nominee, and he is playing it safe by parroting Bush. But after all the Democrats gave Bush the power to wage war against Iraq. Kerry is playing it safe. Maybe I will vote for Nader.
Lucky Ruffles, Seattle, USA

Unfortunately Kerry will change his mind again next week and this speech will have produced no lasting effect. I can't vote for a man who can't make clear and concise decisions and stick to them even during the hard times. At least Bush says what he means and does what he says.
Lisa, Wisconsin, USA

Isn't the goal in Iraq stability and peace? It's not going to happen with George W Bush. Not in four years, not ever. If the US goal cannot be achieved by Bush, why re-elect him?
Kenneth, North Carolina, USA

Too little, too late.
David, Reading, UK

I'll give him about three days, He will change his mind again.
Dominic D, Pittsburgh, USA

Kerry is gunning for the fear voters that GW has a lock on. He needs to separate 9/11 from the war in Iraq, and show the public that this was a bad move that has put us in a worse position. This speech is a step in the right direction.
Robert, Boston, MA

We need wise, mature and intelligent leadership to help us deal with the mess-of-the-century that the Bush team has created in the Middle East C Pumphrey, Grass Valley, USA

I am worried about my country. We need wise, mature and intelligent leadership to help us deal with the mess-of-the-century that the Bush team has created in the Middle East. What we don't need is swaggering, dummied-down sound bytes, rhetoric and slogans. Kerry made point after point in this speech that illustrated sober examination and clear actionable tasking to work on the true issues at hand in this quagmire Kerry is a smart guy and a well-proven leader, and I think he's showing his stuff here. Personally I think America should establish a ground rule that we never elect someone to lead the country who consistently scored below-average on the important tests, or shirked duty when it came time for personal sacrifice.
C Pumphrey, Grass Valley, USA

He really feels the same as Bush with regards to Iraq and would have taken the same path were he in charge Brad, USA

This is the impression I get from all of John Kerry's speeches - he really feels the same as Bush with regards to Iraq and would have taken the same path were he in charge. His attempts at bringing up differences in his position with that of the Bush administration seem contrived and belaboured. He would be better off if he flat out stated that his foreign policy position are not any different from Bush's. Of course, that won't get him elected but at least it will free him from jumping all over the place on this issue.
Brad, USA

Give Kerry a week and he will find another position on this war.
Greg Bordenkecher, Atlanta, USA

Kerry made some points that should end up being discussed. However, with Kerry's lack of purpose, his words are those of an upper-crusty narrator reading a fanciful tale.
Don, Bethesda, Maryland, USA

Kerry's speech was outstanding. Bush refuses to deal with any of the issues head on but continues to make personal attacks on Kerry. The polls are virtually tied the idea of this major policy speech as an act of desperation is the spin the anti-Kerry forces want to put on it rather than dealing with the difficult issues raised in the speech.
Albert, Indiana, USA

Blah, what he said really doesn't differ too much from what Bush has been saying, which is really what Kerry was saying last year. I'd like to apologize in advance to the world community for whoever takes the reins of power in January!
Steve, Collegeville, PA, USA

How strange that when John Kerry criticises Bush on Iraq he is seen as a strong, honourable man but when Michael Howard criticises Blair on Iraq he is called an opportunist! John Kerry's views are right - for just now, but his whole policy on what he would do with Iraq is flawed - just like him.
Donald, Aberdeen

Kerry's big plan is that he will get more countries to help with Iraq. I wonder what he's smokin' because that is just not going to happen. But Iraq will be free, stable and prosperous someday regardless of that fact!
Lynette, Sioux Falls, SD, USA

Senator Kerry is obviously desperate. Why else would he now claim to be against removing Saddam from power, when back in December he said of Howard Dean that someone who thought such a thing would not be fit to be commander-in-chief? President Bush did not trade insults with Mr. Kerry, he simply repeated the Senator's very own words, which of course will once again cause Kerry to drop in the polls and ultimately lose the election.
Ryan Dowhower, San Diego, CA

Let's see what he says tomorrow on the subject. Before it's all over he'll likely be running for mayor of Baghdad.
Bill, NJ, USA

Kerry's speech was in my mind the last straw. I was undecided up until I heard him speak. He keeps bashing Bush and not offering up any specific solutions. It's easy to be critical of the problem of Iraq, but it's another thing to come up with a better solution. Kerry's speech gave me the impression that he has nothing better to contribute than what we already have in place. I'm willing to give President Bush my vote, never thought that would happen!
Mark Nowicki, Detroit, USA

John Kerry's speech is a welcome development and it will go along way to soothe frayed nerves the world over Babatunde Kadiri, Lagos, Nigeria

In my opinion, Mr John Kerry's speech is a welcome development and it will go along way to soothe frayed nerves the world over. America is surely on the path to reclaim her dwindling international image and respect.
Babatunde Kadiri, Lagos, Nigeria

John Kerry has finally stepped in as the anti-war candidate. The problem with Kerry is that his plan for an international force is not possible. No country is willing to contribute forces in Iraq with the chaos that has marked the post-invasion insurgency.
Evan, Ripon, WI

Kerry is a reflection of what American has become - A serious of sound bites with no substance. We get our news in such small doses that we cannot stop to digest the truth. Who cares what Kerry says? The lines are drawn, people in America (and that includes Canada who at least here in Toronto are becoming more and more sympathetic to the US) only hear what they want. We are in the midst of a crisis of corrupt government around the world. Men of integrity have been replaced by puppets of "public opinion" who have no backbone. Bush is a typical arrogant American and Kerry is spineless and will say whatever people want to hear to get elected.
David Morrison, Toronto, Canada

It is about time this was said. I just hope he is consistent to his approach on the issue.
M Clark, UK/US

How can a man so bi-polar be president? Sprung, Miami, US

The real shame is you never know if Kerry means it or not...he'll just change his opinion next week. I might not agree with most of Bush's policies, but at least he has some. John Kerry has changed his opinions on the war at least three times in the past year. How can a man so bi-polar be president? You have to finish what you start.
Sprung, Miami, US

It's times like these when I'm ashamed to call myself American. Not about Kerry, Kerry is finally doing something which he should've done months ago, but he's a politician going up in a close election. I'm ashamed because at least 90% of the comments on here appear either entirely uninformed or completely misguided by the press, be it liberal or conservative. Maybe that's not your fault, let's go ahead and blame the press, so you can feel ok about your non thinking self. My vote's going to Kerry, mostly because his voting/activist record is one I greatly respect, and I think he is quite possibly one of the best things that could happen to this country but he must believe it and ploughs through irregardless of his current caution.
John Jackson, Stanford, CA

Kerry's campaign continues to flounder. He has no ideas, no solutions, no strong leadership, and offers no alternative to President Bush. He has made himself an easy target for the Bush campaign by falling into every trap the opponents set. Kerry a world leader? Hardly.
Mark, Arizona, USA

Kerry is right. It is a fair criticism that he does not have a credible solution to the Iraq fiasco, but at least he appreciates the seriousness of the problem whereas Bush appears to inhabit a dream world where everything is hunky-dory.
Scott, Dublin, Ireland (US expat)

Hooray! At last he's said what he feels... for those who accuse him of changing his mind too many times, he did not vote for the war... he voted to authorize it if the president found no other way to preserve our security. That is a far cry from what actually happened... Bush abused the authority given him and finally Kerry says so.
Susan, Albany, NY, USA

I shudder to think of a world choked by another four years of Bush's lies and inconceivable policy Toshio Mori, Berkeley, USA

So far, Kerry has shown himself to be at best an uninspiring candidate who has run a questionable campaign. He is, however, clearly a better man to be president of the United States. Bush has done nothing but squander money, allies, jobs, efforts to improve the environment and America's already shaky international standing; his disastrous four years will hopefully end. I shudder to think of a world choked by another four years of Bush's lies and inconceivable policy.
Toshio Mori, Berkeley, USA

He is surely the king of stating the obvious. Bush can do nothing but try and discredit Kerry as he knows that he's right.
Richie, Dublin

Just fluff. He has no platform. Bush will win re-election rather easily in November. Watch the story on CBS; let's see where this story goes... you might all be surprised.
Mark, Barre, Vermont, USA

Kerry is flawed; there is no doubt about that. But it boils down to this - who will be worse for America and the world at large, Bush or Kerry? Please America vote not just for yourselves but for us too.
Wendy, UK

Kerry is just a complete waste of time Daniel, Ghana

Kerry is just a complete waste of time, what America needs is a president with a clarity of mind for excellent decision making and that's what Mr Bush is doing. More grease to his elbow.
Daniel, Ghana

John Kerry trained as an officer to prepare for his military service. He demonstrated that he has the ability to accurately assess what's going on and deal with it intelligently. I consider him a God send, the best bet for unravelling the challenges in Iraq. One more thing I admire about John Kerry. He learned Vietnamese. I like that he grew up in a household where diplomacy was in the air. I think he is clear sighted, dedicated and treats Republicans with respect. Just ask the Republican senator whose life he saved by doing the Heimlich manoeuvre on him. He is democracy's most skilled contender for the next leader.
Barbara Dickins, Fairfield, IA, USA

A concise articulation of Senator Kerry's position on Iraq Justin Faulkner, Ashland, KY

I thought this was a concise articulation of Senator Kerry's position on Iraq, which for the record has not changed significantly since before the war. Many Americans do not understand how our government works, and therefore fail to realise that a vote to authorise force was not an endorsement of pre-emptive war. Kerry was quite clear today on that point, and for this I am glad. He had my vote from the beginning -hopefully this will enlighten others as well.
Justin Faulkner, Ashland, KY

I would rather a president who can realise they are wrong and adapt than one who will "stay the course" no matter how ridiculous and destructive that course happens to be. So what if he voted for the war? That was the wrong decision then and is still the wrong decision now. At least one of the two major candidates acknowledges that it was the wrong decision.
Robert, USA

I wish I could tell what Kerry really does have for a platform. One that he sticks to and does not change by the day or the audience!
Stephen Wagner, Reading, USA

Kerry is showing a colossal failure of judgment. He cannot make up his mind on the eve of the presidential election on what his own views and votes are for the most important issue of our time.
Steve, Hillsboro, Oregon, USA

The beauty of being in opposition is that you can jump on any passing bandwagon and throw as many barbs at the leadership as you like. Actually delivering the goods is another matter. I fear for the planet's future if Bush is re-elected, but have to say I find Kerry equally uninspiring.
John B, UK

It was a good solid speech that catalogues how the wishful thinking of George Bush and his Rambo Republicans has led us down the wrong road in the war on terror. Now if only Kerry could summarise all that in a three or four word sound bite.
Gordon Sell, New Jersey, USA

Mr Kerry's attempts at real leadership may have come just a bit too late Jay Sitlani, Washington, DC, USA

I plan to give Mr Kerry my vote, but I feel he has run a bumbling, decrepit campaign. Most Americans know that the Iraqi war was a misadventure and most Americans are seeking real leadership. Mr Kerry's attempts at real leadership may have come just a bit too late.
Jay Sitlani, Washington, DC, USA

Super - now let's see what he has to say about it two weeks from now.
Paul Rutherford, Seattle, USA

America and the world have suffered enough from Bush's "Faith-Based" presidency and foreign policy. It's time for some reality based decisions and leadership.
Erik Kingston, Boise, USA

Americans need a leader that will help them recover the respect they had before Bush took over, and for the first time in months Kerry is beginning to look and sound like a winner. Now that he's on the offensive, he must stay there and exploit and expose the glaring weaknesses in Republican domestic and foreign policies.
Andrew Begg, Bucharest, Romania

I feel like it was an uninformed speech. I still can't tell what Kerry would do as President.
Eloise Black, Houston, USA

Desperation. After all, he voted in favour of the war at one point.
Mark, Brea, USA

If Kerry wants to win he needs to forget the war Adam, Boston, MA

Kerry has once again fallen into the trap of the Iraq war. Most Americans are not bothered by what is happening overseas, they are bothered about what is happening in the US. Bush is winning because he keeps saying that he has improved the economy (which he hasn't) and he has improved security (by sending most of the army overseas to invade another country in a manner that directly supports the terrorists' assertions that America is constantly interfering in Middle East affairs). If Kerry wants to win he needs to forget the war (as most Americans seem to have done) and concentrate on how he will change the internal situation.
Adam, Boston, MA

Mr Kerry makes very good points about involving other nations and focusing on the Iraqi people. But this is not 1968 and this is not the Vietnam War. Main street America is not over the tragedy of September 11. America is very supportive of its military and will not tolerate harsh criticism of its policy at this time.
Chuck, Lewisburg, Pennsylvania

It's about time he spoke up. I might just vote for him after all.
Renee Stone, New Haven USA

It is about time that Mr Kerry make a stand on this issue. He needs to do the same on the economy, education, healthcare, and the national debt.
Lanny Ptacek, Walla Walla, WA, USA

Good for John Kerry! After months of looking like he wanted to say it, but holding back, it's nice to know that a presidential candidate will still admit how he really feels during these crucial pre-election moments. Most of us in the US are thinking it, so why not just let it out? And this is not to say that John Kerry will be soft on the war now that it's started; hopefully he will continue by saying that now that our president put us in this position, we cannot stop until we have cleaned up our mess!
Jessica, Indiana, USA

It seems to me that he waited until the time was right to call Bush out on this issue Reuben, California, USA

Finally Kerry is saying what many of us have thought since the war in Iraq began. He's been quiet on the topic for far too long, and people had become worried that Kerry would be too concerned about being controversial to attack the president on his war policy. It was definitely not an act of desperation; it was a matter of timing. It seems to me that he waited until the time was right to call Bush out on this issue. And I'm thankful that Kerry is finally being the outspoken opponent to this un-justified war.
Reuben, California, USA

Now John Kerry is saying he voted to give George Bush the authority to go to war but didn't mean it. Ridiculous.
EDL, New York City, NY

The Senator's speech is not "an act of desperation", it is an act of truth. Let's hope, for the sake of the world, there's more truth-to come from Kerry.
David Rozelle, Spring Green, WI, USA

It was long overdue! Kerry focused too much on nuance, and blurred the distinction between giving the President authority to go to war (clearly a bargaining chip with Saddam) versus the decision to actually go to war. It is time he started speaking up loud and clear about the fact that the actual decision to plunge into war was the President's, and Kerry never indicated he supported that.
Bisakha Sen, Birmingham, AL, USA

Finally! Kerry will be respected much more for his principles and won't be seen as another spineless Democrat.
Heider Nasralla, Manchester, UK