Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.) condemned Republicans for evoking fear in the American people and exploiting this fear for political gain while speaking to more than 300 people at Lesley University in Cambridge.
“What we have had the past five years is a policy of fear,” Kennedy said, calling for a reversion to, “a policy of hope,” similar to that of the late 1950s and 60s — a time, he said, of great social progress.
Kennedy denounced the war in Iraq and blamed the Bush administration for a lack of accountability in the war. As part of the Armed Services Committee, he said he has opposed the war in Iraq since its beginning.
Kennedy said he voted against the war in 2001 and added that troops were deployed despite heavy criticism and doubt from military leaders.
“Military commanders had it right,” he said. “Political commanders had it wrong.”
Kennedy recommended removing troops from Iraq and claimed Iraq needs to be responsible for its future. He also noted the new Iraqi government’s strong dependence on the United States.
“We need to demonstrate to Iraqis we mean business,” he said, adding that the only way to do that is by removing troops from Iraq.
He highlighted America’s lack of success in Iraq, saying an overwhelming 68 percent of Iraqis do not think that attacks on Americans are wrong and 73 percent support America’s withdrawal.
Kennedy said one-third of graduates from American-founded military schools in Iraq join the insurgency groups after graduation.
The senator also urged the audience to vote in the 2008 presidential election because no issue can be resolved until there is a shift in government.
“The defining issue for our generation is Iraq,” Kennedy said, calling the 2008 election an “election of change.”
In front of an audience of students, teachers and educators, Kennedy also addressed higher education reform. He said the current educational loan system is unfair and argued for “the cancellation of debt for those who go into public service.”
He identified the financial aid system as further corruption in the current administration.
“The financial loan program works great for banks, but lousy for students,” Kennedy said.
Margaret McKenna, who has served as president of Lesley for the past 20 years, praised Kennedy for his achievements.
“Everyone in this audience has been affected by this man,” McKenna said. “When no one else speaks, his voice is heard.”