Debate Showed Kerry Has The Right Ideas

To the editors:

Like many of the Harvard students shown in the photo in your October 1 edition, I viewed the first Bush-Kerry debate (“It Takes Two”). As an American living in London, however, my viewing was after the fact and by CNN video. I would like to share with your readers the perspective of an American living overseas.

George W. Bush, in my view, is a radical, not a conservative.

Bush, Cheney and Rumsfeld have cast aside the prudent, bi-partisan American foreign policy developed since World War II. American Presidents consistently have decided that pre-emptive attacks are called for only in the most narrow and well-justified circumstances. It was clear in 2003, and is even more clear today, that Iraq posed no clear and present danger to America and that the circumstances did not meet the hurdle required for a pre-emptive invasion.

Kerry correctly explained during the debate the high standard that American foreign policy must meet. Especially when we launch a pre-emptive invasion of another country, an American president must be able to explain to our citizens why that invasion was essential and unavoidable. He or she also should be in a position to persuade our friends around the world that this is the case.

I have spoken with many people here in London who are very friendly towards America, but believe as I do that the current Bush Administration has failed to uphold the finest American traditions.

JOHN P. HARDT ’75

London, England

October 3