In the first presidential debate of 2004, John Kerry attacked George W. Bush over the inadequacy of the international coalition that he had put together to ‘liberate’ Iraq. Bush responded defensively:
“My opponent says we didn’t have any allies in this war. What’s he say to Tony Blair? What’s he say to Alexander Kwasniewski of Poland? You can’t expect to build an alliance when you denigrate the contributions of those who are serving side by side with American troops in Iraq.”
Later on, Bush made one of debate history’s more memorable gaffes.
KERRY: …when we went in, there were three countries: Great Britain, Australia and the United States. That’s not a grand coalition. We can do better.
LEHRER: Thirty seconds, Mr. President.
BUSH: Well, actually, he forgot Poland. And now there’s 30 nations involved, standing side by side with our American troops.
And I honor their sacrifices. And I don’t appreciate it when candidate for president denigrates the contributions of these brave soldiers.
You cannot lead the world if you do not honor the contributions of those who are with us. He called them coerced and the bribed. That’s not how you bring people together.
Our coalition is strong. It will remain strong, so long as I’m the president.
Actually, they both forgot Italy and Spain, who provided political support and some troops. But even if we include Italy and Spain, the coalition didn’t remain strong for as long as Bush remained president. First Aznar, then Berlusconi, then Blair, and now Jarosław Kaczyński and John Howard have gone down to political defeat.
The new Polish prime minister said the following at his inauguration:
“In a year’s time I will tell you here in this chamber that our military mission in Iraq is over,” Donald Tusk said in his inaugural speech to the Sejm or Polish parliament. “We have taken the decision – as far as the government powers go – to make 2008 the year when the pullout of Poland’s military mission is started and completed.”
Meanwhile, Kevin Rudd made the removal of Australian combat troops from Iraq one of his campaign promises.
Rudd said he would withdraw Australia’s 550 combat troops from Iraq, leaving twice that number in mostly security roles.
Back in the late September 2004 debate, Bush told us we were succeeding in Iraq:
BUSH: There are 100,000 troops trained, police, guard, special units, border patrol. There’s going to be 125,000 trained by the end of this year. Yes, we’re getting the job done. It’s hard work. Everybody knows it’s hard work, because there’s a determined enemy that’s trying to defeat us.
Now, my opponent says he’s going to try to change the dynamics on the ground. Well, Prime Minister Allawi was here. He is the leader of that country. He’s a brave, brave man. When he came, after giving a speech to the Congress, my opponent questioned his credibility.
You can’t change the dynamics on the ground if you’ve criticized the brave leader of Iraq.
One of his campaign people alleged that Prime Minister Allawi was like a puppet. That’s no way to treat somebody who’s courageous and brave, that is trying to lead his country forward.
The way to make sure that we succeed is to send consistent, sound messages to the Iraqi people that when we give our word, we will keep our word, that we stand with you, that we believe you want to be free. And I do.
But Allawi was a puppet and was voted out of power in favor of pro-Iranian religiously conservative Shi’ites. No one that has allied themselves with Bush has emerged unscathed. Not even Poland.