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| Franks takes the highroad with respect to Kerry-bashing |
| 2004-08-10 |
| "Do you think Senator Kerry is qualified to be commander in chief?" Franks was asked. "Absolutely!" he said. But like the criticism of Kerry, the retired general said the Democratic nominee's recent harsh words about the war plan Franks created in Afghanistan was motivated by politics and his failure to capture al-Qaida network leader Osama bin Laden. "I think a presidential election year is a marvelous thing. I think Senator Kerry is a patriot. And I think what ... what we're doing is, we're seeing an attempt to sort of draw the lines between the two parties in this country. And I wouldn't have it any other way," Franks said. The characterization of Kerry as a coward and liar who did not earn the medals awarded him for his Vietnam service came in a television ad sponsored by a group that fashions calls itself Swift Boat Veterans for Truth. Kerry was skipper of one of the small Mekong River boats and received the Silver Star and Bronze Star for valor and three Purple Hearts for wounds. "I really work hard to stay away from hyperbole," Franks said. "People ask me all the time about 'Fahrenheit 9/11' and then others will ask me about some equally vitriolic view at the end of the continuum on the conservative side... I believe that life really is someplace between the two, and so I am not a fan of hyperbole, whether it is for or against Senator Kerry or George W. Bush." Franks said he also has not decided whether he would want to speak at the Republican National Convention. "I'm a fiercely independent kind of guy and rather proud of it," Franks said. |
| Posted by:Super Hose |
| #8 McCain is playing the center aisle so he can be Kerry's Sec Def. He has no other incentive to diss the Swift Boat Vets. This is especially true when it is Kerry's complete chain of command. No military guy in his right mind (read: no personal agenda) is going to ignore that. |
| Posted by: remote man 2004-08-10 15:37 |
| #7 Good heavens.... I'm agreeing with .com & Jen! Yikes I'm near the edge..... With all respect due to whatever and whoever the hell, way to0 much time is spent admiring the prowess of ex-pows from both parties and all wars. Sorry, that's cold I'm just that way. |
| Posted by: Shipman 2004-08-10 15:27 |
| #6 McCain--and I say this with thanks for his service and in deference for the hell he went through as a POW--is crazy. Seriously crazy. (I truly believe that his NV captors brainwashed him using torture.) He really should never have entered public service. But I'm very tired of hearing him be both a Republican and a Democrat senator and of accomodating things like rapprochement with the Vietnamese and other Communist countries. |
| Posted by: GreatestJeneration 2004-08-10 11:33 |
| #5 McCain does seem to think himself the ultimate arbiter regards all things military and all questions of honor. Of course, the fact that he was actually a dumbass who got his prissy O-Club jet-jockey ass shot out of the sky gets lost somehow. Everybody played their part, but I have to admit I have more consideration for the opinions of those who were slogging it out on the ground than I do for the fly-over long-range killing zoomies. McCain can fuck off - he doesn't control the debate, IMO. |
| Posted by: .com 2004-08-10 11:27 |
| #4 .com Heh...interesting thought. "Fashions itself." I'm guessing that the editing error wasn't accidental and I find it interesting that the only thing we ever see written about this that McCain and Franks and others have taken the high road. Personally I'm a bit disappointed in McCain. In taking the high road, he elevated himself above the Swift Vets who have a right to say what they believe without McCain backstabbing them. |
| Posted by: B 2004-08-10 11:06 |
| #3 I saw an interview with Franks on Fox - he was very diplomatic and even-handed. I wonder what Tommy sees in Tommy's future? |
| Posted by: .com 2004-08-10 10:43 |
| #2 came in a television ad sponsored by a group that fashions calls itself Swift Boat Veterans for Truth. Gosh Darnit! I think I may have a competitor for writing tortured sentences.... |
| Posted by: CrazyFool 2004-08-10 09:49 |
| #1 HERE,HERE one for the Independants.:) |
| Posted by: djohn66 2004-08-10 07:46 |