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CNN Live Event/Special

Senator Ted Kennedy Speaks About Iraq

Aired September 23, 2003 - 12:35   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


WOLF BLITZER, CNN ANCHOR: I want to go to the U.S. Senate floor right now. Senator Ted Kennedy speaking about Iraq.
(JOINED IN PROGRESS)

SEN. EDWARD KENNEDY (D), MASSACHUSETTS: ... that's the precipice we now stand on. The administration needs to show the American people and the world a plausible plan to correct this colossal failure in our policy.

In addressing the United Nations, the president should have taken responsibility for his administration's mistakes in going to war without the broad support of the international community. We need to involve the United Nations in a meaningful way in the transition in Iraq. Our policy cannot be all take and no give.

The president should work with the United Nations as long as it takes to get an agreement to help our troops and bring stability in Iraq. Our troops are doing their jobs in Baghdad. Now President Bush must do his job in New York.

Mr. President, I yield the floor.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Senator from Wisconsin.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Thank you, Mr. President.

BLITZER: And So Senator Ted Kennedy weighing in angrily, as he has over these past several weeks, indeed months, railing against the Bush administration's policy in the war on terror, as well as the situation in Iraq. Not a huge surprise, Senator Ted Kennedy opposing the Bush administration's policy as far as Iraq is concerned.






Aired September 23, 2003 - 12:35   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
WOLF BLITZER, CNN ANCHOR: I want to go to the U.S. Senate floor right now. Senator Ted Kennedy speaking about Iraq.
(JOINED IN PROGRESS)

SEN. EDWARD KENNEDY (D), MASSACHUSETTS: ... that's the precipice we now stand on. The administration needs to show the American people and the world a plausible plan to correct this colossal failure in our policy.

In addressing the United Nations, the president should have taken responsibility for his administration's mistakes in going to war without the broad support of the international community. We need to involve the United Nations in a meaningful way in the transition in Iraq. Our policy cannot be all take and no give.

The president should work with the United Nations as long as it takes to get an agreement to help our troops and bring stability in Iraq. Our troops are doing their jobs in Baghdad. Now President Bush must do his job in New York.

Mr. President, I yield the floor.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Senator from Wisconsin.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Thank you, Mr. President.

BLITZER: And So Senator Ted Kennedy weighing in angrily, as he has over these past several weeks, indeed months, railing against the Bush administration's policy in the war on terror, as well as the situation in Iraq. Not a huge surprise, Senator Ted Kennedy opposing the Bush administration's policy as far as Iraq is concerned.