I agree with criticisms of Kerry's remark that a stable Iraq is more important than assuring that it becomes a democracy...sorta. Kerry said:

"I have always said from day one that the goal here … is a stable Iraq, not whether or not that's a full democracy," the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee told reporters after conducting a town hall meeting at the City College of New York in Harlem. "I can't tell you what it's going to be, but a stable Iraq. And that stability can take several different forms."
...
"You leave with stability, [and] you hope that you can continue the process of democratization. Obviously, that's the goal," he said. "With respect to getting our troops out, the measure is the stability of Iraq."

In response, counterspin.blogspot.com said:

For all the bad, stupid and incompetent things George W. Bush has done with respect to [Iraq] (and these are legion), the one saving grace of this whole debacle was at least the IDEA that we were doing this (even if it's a bald-faced lie) to bring democracy and freedom to the [Iraqi] people.

That is what our soldiers and marines are fighting and dying for in [Iraq]. That's what keeps them going when they are being shot at, bombed, eating MRE's in the sweltering heat, and getting eaten alive by sand flees.

Whether it's tru or not, is irrelevent to these men and women. They HAVE to believe it, or they'd have nervous breakdowns at even greater rates than we currently see.

So, for John Kerry to even HINT that this is not a primary goal in [Iraq] is....unconscionable. And, quite frankly, WRONG.

This may be an over-reaction. I get the sense that Kerry is speaking of our troops as opposed to the overall US goal. With respect to getting our troops home, the most important thing is stability. Then we can worry about helping the country along to democracy...or a democratic style republic like our own.
But, rhetorically, Kerry mis-steps when he lets his remarks be contrasted with the "bold," "steady" and "unwaivering" remarks from Bush. It looks like Kerry just wants to get out, soon as the place is secure.
Given the entirety of his remarks, this is not the case...but be careful, Kerry.