Kerry Angry at Bush for Making Vietnam an Issue

NewsMax.com ^ | Feb. 4, 2004 | Carl Limbacher

[Carl/NewsMax]

Sen. John Kerry and his media boosters are hoping bogus allegations that President Bush went AWOL from the National Guard will catapult him into the White House - but during the 1992 presidential campaign, Kerry angrily denounced Bush's father for raising Bill Clinton's Vietnam draft record.

In fact, back then, Kerry called those who wanted to make Vietnam service an issue "cowardly."

"I'm here personally to express my anger, as a veteran," Kerry told National Public Radio two months before the 1992 election, "that a president who would stand before this nation in his inaugural address and promise to put Vietnam behind us is now breaking yet another promise and trying to use Vietnam and service in order to get himself re-elected."

"That is not an act of leadership, that is an act of shame and cowardice," the Massachusetts Democrat railed.

In words that could now apply to his own presidential campaign, Kerry complained to reporters a month later that White House charges suggesting Clinton had gone AWOL from the draft were an ugly smear.

"It is a sad day when the President of the United States is willing to sully another man's reputation and challenge his patriotism merely to get elected," the current Democratic front-runner groused.

Tuesday night, Kerry pulled a 180 degree about face on the issue of using a candidate's Vietnam-era military record, telling Fox News Channel's "Hannity & Colmes," "There is an issue about what [Bush's] service was - and I don't know the answers."

Saying he would defend Bush's decision to enlist in the Guard, Kerry rattled off a long list of Vietnam-era options that lumped Guard service in with draft dodging.

"I've never made any judgments about any choice somebody made about avoiding the draft, about going to Canada, going to jail, being a conscientious objector [or] going into the National Guard," he told Sean Hannity. "Those are choices people make."

[areafiftyone]

Oh there are soooo many goodies to get Kerry on. This is getting real good. I hope someone is keeping a list to send to the Bush team.

[killjoy]

Kerry served in Vietnam?

[Dan from Michigan]

I'd make Nam an issue again on Jane Fonda Kerry.

If I had $900 to spend on a book, I'd go over to Barned and Noble's website and buy up "The New Soldier".

[dfwgator]

John Kerry a hypocrite? I'm shocked, just shocked.

[Dan from Michigan]

Barnes and Noble

[KellyAdmirer]

Well, anyone who would call Vietnam "Nixon's war" has a few screws loose. Interesting to see that Kerry was making pompous, bombastic attacks back then, too, makes it seem like old times.

[newgeezer]

but during the 1992 presidential campaign, Kerry angrily denounced Bush's father for raising Bill Clinton's Vietnam draft record. In fact, back then, Kerry called those who wanted to make Vietnam service an issue "cowardly."

Oh, c'mon. Obviously, Kerry has grown since 1992.</sarcasm> (Hey, it worked for Gore.) Such "ancient history" means little to Kerry's party and those who'll go so far as to consider voting for him.

[Just mythoughts]

Wow, how can one discern what the double talker is really trying to say.

So his campaign is about seeking revenge for the "DRAFT" dodger, or is this required of him to get the "blessings" of the Clintons.

Something really twisted is going on here, they are really muddying the water, babel, = confusion.

[Coop]

Save your money and just "enjoy" the pic:

I'm sure it sums up the book quite nicely.

[CROSSHIGHWAYMAN]

I've never seen a more two-faced bum in all my days.

His insecurity must be immense because he has to rely so often on his military record.

To me his Vietnam record is not impressive.

My cousin was in the jungle, face to face with the enemy.

A soldier's duty in that war was just to survive.

What Kerry did shortly after he returned from the war is of much more interest to me.

He fought in Kennedy and Johnson's war, not Mr. Nixon's.

His houghty arrogance and bragging will turn him off to the American people.

The people don't know this bum yet.

They don't even like Kerry in Massachussetts!!

[areafiftyone]

Let me think now......(brain working overtime on this tough question) ummmmm yea I think I heard it somewhere! ;-)

[MizSterious]

Well, yes, Kerry has "grown" since 1992, but mostly, it's been his nose.

[deport]

Another 'come to kerry' moment..........

With thousand of pages in the Congressiona Record plus archives full of stuff in the media Kerry moments will occur with rapid frequency or at the past someone wants to release them......

[mortal19440]

I served in Vietnam and am proud of the job that my squadron mates and I did. Kerry should also be proud of what he did, but he wasn't until he was behind in the race for the Dem nomination and then he started flooding us with his accomplishments. His behavior after he came home was despicable, bordering on treason. We had a saying in the Navy, 1 Dumb S--- wipes out 10 attaboys. I consider all of Kerry's attaboys wiped out by his association with Fonda and Clark while he was dumping on our kids in Vietnam.

[RetiredArmy]

Any chance Kerry would MOVE to Vietnam???

RetiredArmy. Charter member, Vietnam Veterans Against John Kerry for President (or for anything)!

[Samwise]

Rule 1 of Liberalism: Facts, logic, and consistency are irrelevant.

[looscnnn]

What is up with the two guys on the right side of the picture? What is the one guy holding?

[mystery-ak]

Kerry for years was ashamed of his military service in VN...now he flaunts it....I prefer to call him a *Born Again VN Vet*.

[looscnnn]

"Any chance Kerry would MOVE to Vietnam???"

No, he wants to make the US just like Vietnam.