John Kerry was on Meet the Press this last Sunday, and the first question Russert asked him was why he was behind in the polls. Kerry said the polls were unreliable.

Then Russert asked him about his vote authorizing the Iraq War:

TIM RUSSERT: As you well know, last October you voted for a resolution authorizing President Bush to go to war in Iraq. How much has that vote damaged your standing amongst Iowa Democrats?

SEN. KERRY: Well, I think Iowa Democrats are listening very carefully, Tim, and they understand that my vote and the vote of Tom Harkin, for instance, and the vote of Hillary Clinton and the vote of Joe Biden, was not a vote specifically to go to war;

This is Russert's answer to his first question. Kerry is behind in the polls because he's a mealy-mouthed hypocrite.

Here are some extracts of the text of the "Joint Resolution to Authorize the Use of United States Armed Forces Against Iraq", signed by John Kerry:

Whereas Iraq both poses a continuing threat to the national security of the United States and international peace and security in the Persian Gulf region and remains in material and unacceptable breach of its international obligations by, among other things, continuing to possess and develop a significant chemical and biological weapons capability, actively seeking a nuclear weapons capability, and supporting and harboring terrorist organizations;

So does Kerry believe this, or not? If not, why did he vote for it?

Whereas Iraq persists in violating resolutions of the United Nations Security Council by continuing to engage in brutal repression of its civilian population thereby threatening international peace and security in the region, by refusing to release, repatriate, or account for non-Iraqi citizens wrongfully detained by Iraq, including an American serviceman, and by failing to return property wrongfully seized by Iraq from Kuwait;

The humanitarian argument...does Kerry not believe in it?

Whereas members of al Qaida, an organization bearing responsibility for attacks on the United States, its citizens, and interests, including the attacks that occurred on September 11, 2001, are known to be in Iraq;

Whereas Iraq continues to aid and harbor other international terrorist organizations, including organizations that threaten the lives and safety of American citizens;

See, it's hard for Democrats who voted for this resolution to turn around and mock these claims. They voted, per the above justifications, for this:

SEC. 3. AUTHORIZATION FOR USE OF UNITED STATES ARMED FORCES.

(a) AUTHORIZATION. The President is authorized to use the Armed Forces of the United States as he determines to be necessary and appropriate in order to

(1) defend the national security of the United States against the continuing threat posed by Iraq; and
(2) enforce all relevant United Nations Security Council Resolutions regarding Iraq.

To then turn around and say you weren't really voting for war? That's chickenshit.

Read the rest of the interview if you can stomach it. It's a damn mess...and that's why Kerry doesn't have a snowball's chance of getting the nomination, because he's inconsistent and incomprehensible.