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| Home Front: Politix |
| DEM'S MARINE MISFIRE |
| 2004-08-01 |
| John Kerry's heavily hyped cross-country bus tour stumbled out of the blocks yesterday, as a group of Marines publicly dissed the Vietnam War hero in the middle of a crowded restaurant. Kerry was treating running mate Sen. John Edwards and his wife, Elizabeth, to a Wendy's lunch in Newburgh, N.Y., for their 27th wedding anniversary — an Edwards family tradition — when the candidate approached four Marines and asked them questions. The Marines — two in uniform and two off-duty — were polite but curt while chatting with Kerry, answering most of his questions with a "yes, sir" or "no, sir." But they turned downright nasty after the Massachusetts senator thanked them "for their service" and left. "He imposed on us and I disagree with him coming over here shaking our hands," one Marine said, adding, "I'm 100 percent against [him]." A sergeant with 10 years of service under his belt said, "I speak for all of us. We think that we are doing the right thing in Iraq," before saying he is to be deployed there in a few weeks and is "eager" to go and serve. The Marines — all of whom serve at nearby Stewart Air Force Base — wouldn't give their names. |
| Posted by:Bill Nelson |
| #9 I think that Kerry actually believed that the Marines would feel honored that he deigned to talk to them and would enthusiastically participate in his photo-op. In his own mind, he is already the Commander-in-Chief and the troops should bow down before him. This should serve as a warning to politicians that Marines have a well-developed BS detctor. |
| Posted by: RWV 2004-08-01 8:39:29 PM |
| #8 I wonder if the Marine soldiers kept one hand on their wallets. Kerry has got to find a way to pay for his half trillion dollar increase to the federal budget deficit based on his proposed plans and initatives. |
| Posted by: Capt America 2004-08-01 7:52:05 PM |
| #7 Via Captain Ed via Patterico: While Democratic presidential nominee John Kerry and his running mate, John Edwards, and their families were having a "lite" lunch at Wendy's in the Town of Newburgh Friday, drumming up local support right after the national convention in Boston, their real lunches were waiting on their bus. A member of the Kerry advance team called Nikola's Restaurant at the Newburgh Yacht Club the night before and ordered 19 five-star lunches to go that would be picked up at noon Friday. Management at the restaurant, which is operated by CIA graduate chef Michael Dederick, was told the meals would be for the Kerry and Edwards families and actor Ben Affleck who was with them on the tour. The gourmet meals to go included shrimp vindallo, grilled diver sea scallops, prosciutto, wrapped stuffed chicken, and steak salad. |
| Posted by: Seafarious 2004-08-01 5:39:40 PM |
| #6 The Los Angeles Times is presenting an airbrushed version of the story: "Let's recap. John Kerry tries to get a photo-op with some soldiers, and it backfires, badly, with the soldiers expressing resentment at having been used. But that's not news. Meanwhile, one boy was holding an anti-Bush sign along Bush's campaign trail -- and that's news. Business as usual at the objective and non-liberal L.A. Times." The L.A. Times also omits this bit: "Edwards and his wife had hearty meals of burgers and fries and shared a chocolate Frosty. Teresa Heinz Kerry pointed at a picture of chili on the menu and asked the cashier what it was before ordering a bowl." Somehow, I think similar ignorance on the part of a Bush would get more attention -- even if it never happened. The previous via Instapundit. |
| Posted by: Deacon Blues 2004-08-01 5:34:30 PM |
| #5 The marine resented being a PR tool of Kerry. The marine gave the senator the required respect of the office, and no more. I am sure that Rantburgers could write a great script for the Marine. I had an ex-marine friend of mine that told then President Carter what he though of the Pres as a person after the failed Iran hostage rescue. Needless to say, the Pres got beet red and my friend's career as a marine was truncated. |
| Posted by: Alaska Paul 2004-08-01 4:55:46 PM |
| #4 I checked the Chicago Tribune, SF Chronicle, Sacramento Bee, and the Houston Chronicle with no mention of Kerry or Marine. If President Bush or candidate Bush had a similar incident you could bet the press would make it the number one story for the next 90 days. As a vet I applaud the Marine and his bravery to speak his mind while still on active duty. Commanders don't like troops taking sides in a political debate (one side or the other). However, I think he was right because it was Kerry that tried to include them in his campaign. It would have been different if the Marine had approached Kerry. |
| Posted by: Cyber Sarge 2004-08-01 4:45:00 PM |
| #3 Jarhead what is the insight on superior hot and juicy on the uniform of the day? |
| Posted by: Shipman 2004-08-01 4:09:21 PM |
| #2 Also watch the mainstream media ignore the Post's story. The MSM picks up all other trivial stories and culls the ones that do not fit their agenda. Absolutely disgusting. Saw pics of the encounter on LGF. The person on the left was a fraud, and the Marine on the right was cold, but polite to the part-time senator, IMHO. |
| Posted by: Alaska Paul 2004-08-01 1:58:00 PM |
| #1 Kerry got exactly the respect he's earned from our troops: zero. Watch for Kerry election lawyers this fall, maneuvering to disqualify every absentee military ballot they can get their thieving, stinking hands on. |
| Posted by: Dave D. 2004-08-01 1:02:38 PM |