. . . and chief Surrender Monkey suggested this cut-and-run “plan” in a campaign sounding speech yesterday.

Kerry, who voted to give President Bush authorization to use force against Saddam Hussein in 2002, said he would attach an amendment to this summer’s defense appropriations bill calling for a total withdrawal of U.S. combat troops by the end of this year.

Even he knows that won’t fly.

But he acknowledged that the idea would be unpopular. “I know I’m not going to get the majority of my own caucus.”

No. Only those catering to the kook base.

If that doesn’t work (Heh), trash the fledgling Iraqi government.

The 21-year veteran of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee also had harsh words for the Iraqi government. The sight of politicians haggling over Cabinet seats in the midst of an undiminished insurgency is “a disgrace, and this administration ought to get tough,” he said.

He proposed intense U.S. pressure to force consensus, either by withholding reconstruction funds or threatening a unilateral withdrawal of troops.

So, what are his future plans?

As for his own political ambitions, Kerry would say only that he is “thinking very hard” about another presidential run in 2008.

“And I’m thinking about it a lot earlier than I’d like to because it’s clear there are several other people also thinking about it,” he said.

Please. Run again. 2008 will be a cakewalk if you do.

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