Democrats are walking a tightrope on the war with Iraq.

For voters who may remain skeptical about Sen. John Kerry’s position on the war, that won’t do.

On Thursday night, Kerry will have the opportunity to explain himself to a large national audience. He better be clear, because the multilayered and nuanced position he has adopted so far in his campaign for the White House isn’t working.

In October 2002, Kerry voted to authorize the war in Iraq. About a year later, he voted against spending $87 billion on the occupation and reconstruction. The vote came during the Democratic Party’s flirtation with Howard Dean and his antiwar message, and Republicans have gleefully portrayed the vote as Kerry trying to have it both ways.

In a campaign ad from President Bush’s campaign, Kerry is heard talking: “I actually did vote for the $87 billion before I voted against it.”

It’s a priceless quote that rams home the supposed Kerry flip-floppery, a bit unfairly.

Kerry co-sponsored a competing measure that would have appropriated the $87 billion and paid for it by reversing the tax cuts for people making more than $400,000 a year. The Senate rejected that idea, opting instead to put the money on the nation’s credit card.

There’s a big difference between voting to authorize the use of force and voting to go to war. That’s the line Democrats have been toeing so far in the convention. But it isn’t enough to say Kerry would conduct the war better or would automatically draw more international support. Kerry must say how his policies – on Iraq and on the struggle against international terrorism – would differ from Bush’s, and he must be specific.

So far, Democrats – both hawks who support the invasion and doves who have opposed it – have tried to gloss over the question of whether U.S. forces should have ever invaded Iraq, and how and when it is best to bring them home.

Eventually, those are questions Kerry will have to do a better job of answering. He has a great chance Thursday night when he accepts his party’s nomination.

Looking good

There’s always skepticism when the city exercises its power of eminent domain to acquire private property or even threatens to do so. And certainly, the work Lewiston has done on its gateway projects is no different.

But the truth is, both the western and southern entrances to the city are looking a lot better. The improvement is marked. If you haven’t seen the changes lately, check them out this weekend during the Festival de Joie.

The park will be named after former Mayor Larry Raymond, who was instrumental in its creation.

Lewiston Mayor Lionel Guay dedicated the new gateway park at the corner of Lincoln and Main streets Tuesday. The area, which is what people see when they cross Longley Bridge into Lewiston, now is attractive. Unfortunately, the nearby mill remains dilapidated, but we’re satisfied with taking one step at a time.

It took the city several years to obtain the land and begin the face-lift. At times, the pressure placed on private business owners created a stir. But now the results are starting to take shape, and the changes are worthwhile.

Hopefully, the improved western gateway will inspire other property owners to maintain their buildings in a historically accurate and attractive way. The city still has a ways to go to clean up, but the first steps have been taken. They look good.