You have commented 339 times on Rantburg.

Your Name
Your e-mail (optional)
Website (optional)
My Original Nic        Pic-a-Nic        Sorry. Comments have been closed on this article.
Bold Italic Underline Strike Bullet Blockquote Small Big Link Squish Foto Photo
Submit your comments on this article
Home Front: Politix
Kerry Defends Vietnam War Record, Challenges Bush
2004-08-19
Democratic Senator John Kerry launched an all-out counterattack Thursday on fellow Vietnam war veterans who say he embellished his combat record, a key part of his bid for the White House. Kerry charged that those critics, who go by "Swift Boat Veterans for Truth," were "a front" for US President George W. Bush and demanded that the incumbent heed calls to repudiate the group's accusations. "The fact that the president won't denounce what they're up to tells you everything you need to know: He wants them to do his dirty work," the lawmaker told a firefighters' union that was the first major labor group to endorse him. "The president keeps telling people he would never question my service to our country. Instead, he watches as a Republican-funded attack group does just that. Well, if he wants to have a debate about our service in Vietnam, here is my answer: Bring it on!" he said, to approving roars from the crowd.
And in the same breath, he denounced the smear tactics of MoveOn.org and "America Coming Together". And then his lips fell off.
Bush served in the national guard in the United States during the war -- frequently a way to avoid service in Vietnam -- but a group opposing his reelection has charged that he used family connections to dodge combat and then failed to report for duty for a months-long period. Kerry, who won three Purple Hearts for wounds received in combat, a Bronze Star and a Silver Star for bravery, has used his service as a gunboat commander to bolster his credentials on national security, a vital issue in the November 2 election. Members of his crew -- dubbed the "band of brothers" -- frequently appear at rallies to tell stories of his heroism, and are prominently featured in the candidate's television advertisements, which also use dramatic war footage.

But one Democratic pollster, who requested anonymity, recently told AFP that the commercial by "Swift Boats Veterans for Truth" showed significant power in shaping swing voters' opinion of Kerry, posing a threat to his campaign. The ad, which hit the airwaves this month, features veterans accusing Kerry of exaggerating his bravery in the war, lying to get at least one of his Purple Hearts, and lying to get his Bronze Star. The group also charges that, by testifying against the war when he returned to the United States and alleging that US soldiers had committed wartime atrocities, Kerry betrayed US forces still in Vietnam.
Posted by:Mrs. Davis

#14  VAMark, I understand taht O'Neill was and continues to be a Democrat who backed Edwards in the primaries and hoped not to have to "out" Kerry at all. He failed to oppose Kerry or provide endorsements to Kerry's Republican opponents for all offices other than the office of Commander-in-Chief.

Why would Bush admit that O'Neill is a Republican puppet when he demonstrably isn't one? If O'Neill is a stealth Republican, I'm sure a media member will publish the contents of whatever Kerry has on him.
Posted by: Super Hose   2004-08-19 10:50:03 PM  

#13   It's 4th quarter, sportsfans...this one is going down to the wire...

More like: It's halftime. The whistle blew and the republicans left the field. Four plays later Kerry kicks a field goal. ;o)
Posted by: badanov   2004-08-19 10:31:05 PM  

#12  That headline is a lie.

Kerry is not DEFENDING his war recrod - he is refusing to answer and trying to attack those who question him over it.
Posted by: OldSpook   2004-08-19 10:21:34 PM  

#11  "Sure, John, I'll denounce them. As soon as you denounce Moveon.org. What? You're in league with them? Well, then..."
Posted by: growler   2004-08-19 3:18:16 PM  

#10  On the denouncing issue:

Didn't Bush say he wanted all the 527 groups to be "denounced"? Bush hit the ball back into Kerry's court, but the media never even reported it.
Posted by: Robert Crawford   2004-08-19 1:42:05 PM  

#9  I wonder if Karl Rove is doing his best Monty Burns:
Excellent,Smithers,... Excellent!

Still waiting to see if this story is part of the RNC Cabels "checkmate" moves or a "brilliant deception" by the Kerry camp to keep the discussion off his awful Senate record.

It's 4th quarter, sportsfans...this one is going down to the wire...
Posted by: Capsu78   2004-08-19 1:11:26 PM  

#8  Sorry, a better link is here.
Posted by: Raj   2004-08-19 1:10:09 PM  

#7  "The fact that the president won’t denounce what they’re up to tells you everything you need to know: He wants them to do his dirty work,"

You mean, like those little brown books that are in circulation?

God damn, what a fuckin' hypocrite this guy is.
Posted by: Raj   2004-08-19 1:08:12 PM  

#6  Because he's not?

Seriously, the guy's had two times in the public eye, and they both have to do with exposing Kerry as a fraud. I suspect the common thread is Kerry, not the political party of Kerry's opponents'.
Posted by: Robert Crawford   2004-08-19 12:44:20 PM  

#5  #1 - No, Nixon and Chuck Colson set that up. Documented in Nixon's tapes and confirmed by Colson. Nothing wrong with the guy being a GOP operative, but you wonder why he keeps denying it.
Posted by: VAMark   2004-08-19 12:40:35 PM  

#4  Kerry must really, really trust the press.
Posted by: Robert Crawford   2004-08-19 12:32:44 PM  

#3  Kerry charged that those critics, who go by "Swift Boat Veterans for Truth," were "a front" for US President George W. Bush and demanded that the incumbent heed calls to repudiate the group’s accusations.

And aliens really did crash near Roswell.
Posted by: Bomb-a-rama   2004-08-19 12:30:11 PM  

#2  good job JF'nK! Keep this in the headlines!

Release your records and it could all go away
Posted by: Frank G   2004-08-19 12:07:25 PM  

#1  So when O'Neill debated you on TV in the early 70s, that was part of a George W. Bush conspiracy as well? I doubt O'Neill had ever HEARD of GWB at the time.

Next.
Posted by: Chris W.   2004-08-19 11:52:48 AM  

00:00