McCain: Hanoi Hilton Guards Taunted POWs with Kerry's Testimony

Newsmax.com ^ | 2/17/04 | Carl Limbacher

[truthandlife]

These days former Vietnam war POW Sen. John McCain has nothing but praise for his fellow Vietnam veteran, Sen. John Kerry, the Democrats' current presidential front-runner.

But after he was released from the Hanoi Hilton in 1973, Sen. McCain publicly complained that testimony by Kerry and others before J. William Fullbright's Senate Foreign Relations Committee was "the most effective propaganda [my North Vietnamese captors] had to use against us."

"They used Senator Fullbright a great deal," McCain wrote in the May 14, 1973 issue of U.S. News & World Report. While he was languishing in a North Vietnamese prison cell, Kerry was telling the Fullbright Committee that U.S. soldiers were committing war crimes in Vietnam as a matter of course.

Sen. Ted Kennedy, a key Kerry presidential backer, was "quoted again and again" by jailers at the Hanoi Hilton, McCain said.

"Clark Clifford was another [North Vietnamese] favorite," the ex-POW told U.S. News, "right after he had been Secretary of Defense under President Johnson."

"When Ramsey Clark came over [my jailers] thought that was a great coup for their cause," McCain recalled. Months earlier Sen. Kerry had appeared with Clark at the April 1971 Washington, D.C. anti-war protest that showcased his testimony before the Fullbright Committee.

"All through this period," wrote McCain, his captors were "bombarding us with anti-war quotes from people in high places back in Washington. This was the most effective propaganda they had to use against us."

McCain biographer Paul Alexander chronicled the Arizona Republican's anger toward Kerry during their early careers in the Senate together.

"For many years McCain held Kerry's actions against him because, while McCain was a POW in the Hanoi Hilton, Kerry was organizing veterans back home in the U.S. to protest the war."

In his 2002 book, "Man of the People: the Life of John McCain," Alexander says that the two Vietnam vets finally reconciled in the early 1990s after having "a long - and at times emotional - conversation about Vietnam" during a mutual trip to Kuwait.

Later, Kerry sought to minimize the rift, telling Alexander, "Our differences occurred when we were kids, or at least close to being kids. It was a long time ago, and we both came back and realized that there were a lot of difficulties in the prosecution of that war."

NewsMax gratefully acknowledges the help of U.S. Veteran's Dispatch editor Ted Sampley for supplying McCain's revealing 1973 account in U.S. News.

[olde north church]

How will this play?

[Semper Paratus]

JF*K can think himself and McAullife for opening up Vietnam.

[Preachin']

It'll be ignored by the media, of course.

[cynicom]

Fullbright was always the handyman that carried water for the communists for years.

[tirednvirginia]

I really had not heard McCain praising Kerry. When was this?

[international american]

Good post!

BUMP

[Frank_Discussion]

I expect McCain will lend a hand in Kerry's torpedoing...

[Tamzee]

Later, Kerry sought to minimize the rift, telling Alexander, "Our differences occurred when we were kids, or at least close to being kids.

Sorry, Kerry, that dog won't hunt. You weren't a "kid" when you betrayed those soldiers in Vietnam, you were a military officer.

[EggsAckley]

Finally! This is a great find, thanks.

[sinkspur]

How will this play?

McCain could be Bush's hole card, if Bush plays it right.

[Area51]

I expect McCain will lend a hand in Kerry's torpedoing...

8 posted on 02/17/2004 9:51:04 AM PST by Frank_Discussion (May the wings of Liberty never lose a feather!)
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Only if there is something in it for Johnny McMe

[Terry Mross]

I don't. I expect McCain will probably ride the fence and hope he gets to be SOD if Kerry wins. I used to think McCain would come to W's defense. But, so far, nothing!

[olde north church]

I DO NOT trust McCain.

[smith288]

McCain was "stumping" for Bush in New Hampshire... He seemed less than enthused at being there in my opinion.

He was on the "Daily Show" and ridiculed Bush and joined in on insulting W's intelligence with John Stewart. McCain can kiss my arse... One thing McCain should never do is trust a damn commie.

[Taliesan]

McCain will NOT resurrect it. This article is all quotes from 1973. When asked about it, he will minimize it now. THe comity of the Senate will prevent him.

This is the same code of spineless comraderie that Orrin Hatch follows, such as when he admitted to Sean Hannity that if Jay Rockefeller had politicized the intelligence committee then Jay ought to be "criticized" (as opposed to being asked to resign).

By the way, this code of comraderie is a guide for Republicans only. Democrats can attack with impunity. And the Republicans are aware of this double standard imposed on them; it "troubles" them.

[truthandlife]

McCain gives nod to Kerry campaign (MAJOR RINO ALERT!)

[kabar]

McCain remarks on Brinkley's book about Kerry, Tour of duty: Atlantic Monthly - Cover Story, December issue

"The experience of war does a great deal more than make men out of boys. All wars, be they just and necessary or not, are epic calamities and their devastation and inhumanity will cause moments of doubt in the mind of the most ardent soldier and trouble all but the meanest conscience. In TOUR OF DUTY, an account of my friend John Kerry's experiences and great courage in Vietnam, and his role in our national debate over the lost cause, Doug Brinkley does a masterful job of showing how war, with its unique mix of sacrifice and malice, courage and trepidation, both burdens and strengthens the heart of the combatant, who learns in equal measure how cruel and how noble human beings can be." - John McCain

[kabar]

McCain remarks on Brinkley's book about Kerry, Tour of duty: Atlantic Monthly - Cover Story, December issue

"The experience of war does a great deal more than make men out of boys. All wars, be they just and necessary or not, are epic calamities and their devastation and inhumanity will cause moments of doubt in the mind of the most ardent soldier and trouble all but the meanest conscience. In TOUR OF DUTY, an account of my friend John Kerry's experiences and great courage in Vietnam, and his role in our national debate over the lost cause, Doug Brinkley does a masterful job of showing how war, with its unique mix of sacrifice and malice, courage and trepidation, both burdens and strengthens the heart of the combatant, who learns in equal measure how cruel and how noble human beings can be." - John McCain

[backhoe]

Nice bombshell... cross-link:

-John Kerry- some selected, informative links...--

[sinkspur]

I DO NOT trust McCain.

I don't either, but, reconciled or not, I doubt McCain will do ANYTHING to help Kerry and would likely stick a shiv in him for a little payback if he got a chance.

I would, if I had gotten the hell beat out of me while Kerry was sitting in his air-conditioned townhouse and aiding the people beating me.

[Lancey Howard]

McCrazy is the joker in the deck.
I don't think Bush (or anybody else) should ever trust him

[Frank_Discussion]

Revenge is a strong motivator. McMe may not be able to control himself on this one, especially if there is little or no gain in aligning with JF*K.

[Ruth A.]

Good find, but I don't trust McCain either.

[olde north church]

Dean - McCain? PAC?

[kabar]

Not so fast...see my post #18 and #19 (duplicate). McCain said this in December 2003 while Kerry was campaigning for the Dem nomination. McCain hates GWB more. It all goes back to the South Carolina primary in 2000. Visceral hatred here.

[FreeManWhoCan]

What an ass "O" that Kerry is. Did anyone see his clips on FOX where he pronounces the word "ask" as "ahhsk". What a pompus jerk.

[not_apathetic_anymore]

Yep, something about throwing stones when living in a glass house:)

[lawdude]

While I find McLame less than ideal as a pubby, he has been touted as Kerrey's first choice for VP!

D'ya spoze this shows how unlikely this is?

[kabar]

Kennedyesque. If you check out his life, he is trying to emulate JFK and follow the same path to the Presidency

[truthkeeper]

"It was a long time ago, and we both came back and realized that there were a lot of difficulties in the prosecution of that war."

Fine. So was McCain lying then or is he lying now? Inquiring minds want to know.

[stuck_in_new_orleans]

McCain wants to be VP

[Neets]

.

[sully777]

No one has made the following comment:

The current stuff floated about WMD, "Iraqi insurgancy," Gitmo detainees, Kofi's UN Kaffee Klatches, Patriot Act, etc. simply reinforces our enemies resolve today. It seems fitting to forward this article to the leftist media, DNC, RINOs, and anyone else affiliated with the current rants against our anti-terror missions.

Nothing has changed with Ho Chi Minh Kerry. He's still hell-bent on upending the foundations of the military, economy, and sovereignty of America via communism.

[Aquinasfan]

"All through this period," wrote McCain, his captors were "bombarding us with anti-war quotes from people in high places back in Washington. This was the most effective propaganda they had to use against us."

Of course, anyone with half a brain knew this at the time.

On another note, I haven't heard much criticism of the domino theory since Cambodia fell to Pol Pot.

[IYAS9YAS]

I DO NOT trust McCain.

Nor do I. Thinking "Manchurian Candidate".

[TheDon]

John Kerry, self proclaimed war criminal, Democratic Presidential nominee

[Rummyfan]

"Our differences occurred when we were kids, or at least close to being kids.

Typical lib response. We were kids - of course I was twenty five years old, but still a kid. Jihad Johnny from Marin County, why he is just a confused kid too! Gosh, there are probably a lot of confused kids at Gitmo too - in custody.

Of course there are also a lot of 'kids' in Iraq and Afghanistan and at sea and in the air fighting this war. But those people are MEN and WOMEN.

[Gorjus]

How will this play?

Insignificantly.

First off, Vietnam is ancient history to most of the electorate. Even if they have heard of it or have some vague memory of it, they just don't care.

Second, no one cares about McCain any more. To the Dems, he's just a Republican and therefore evil and an automatic liar (unless he's saying something they want to hear, in which case he's not a liar - but his opinion changes nothing). To the Republicans, McCain is a self-centered egoist who will say whatever brings attention to himself.

So who cares what he says? Only McCain, and the media - and the media only because McCain can be counted on to bash Bush regularly. This, in their mind, demonstrates they are non-partisan because they give air time to quotes from Republicans as well as Democrats. Of course, the only Republican quotes that get air time are from those who say what they want to hear.

So, bottom line: Adverse McCain comments about Kerry are not significant.

This would change if McCain were actually to switch parties, but if he did, he's simply recant any prior statements that didn't support the party line. (See Lieberman, 2000)

[Born Conservative]

I expect McCain will lend a hand in Kerry's torpedoing...

Perhaps McCain will listen to the OTHER JFK (see my tag line)

[Free Vulcan]

Look at all those names guys. Clark Clifford, Ramsey Clark, William Fullbright. All Beezulbubba mentors and cronies. It was no accident that he became president.

[Redbob]

"I expect McCain will lend a hand in Kerry's torpedoing..."

Don't hold your breath.
There's no predicting what will happen in what passes for John McCain's brain.

[Gritty]

"Our differences occurred when we were kids, or at least close to being kids." - John Kerry

I've got news for you, KerryBoy.

I am exactly your age and was in Vietnam at the same time. I didn't consider (or excuse) my subsequent words and actions through evasion by flipantly referring to myself as a "kid". That's because I never did anything I was ashamed of. Neither did some of my good friends, the same age and younger, who either never came home, or came home in a casket or on a Medevac to a crippled life.

These are the "men". You are the "kid" - or maybe "punk" would be a more accurate name?

[rintense]

Well, they were *kids* after all. /sarcasm

GWB, on the other hand, was a reckless, Christmas wreath thief who was AWOL in the National Guard. He should be thrown in jail and held accountable for his actions, even though HE WAS A KID HIMSELF.

*SIGH*

John 'War Waffler' Kerry will dig his own trench in this election. And I will be one of the proud that throws a shovel full of dirt on him with my vote in November.

[rintense]

McCain could also be Kerry's VP.

[TiaS]

The first advisers were sent into Viet Nam during the Eisenhower Administration. During his campaign, Bobby Kennedy, was turning against continuing the war and you know what happened to him after he won the Oregon primary.

Historians have found that the Gulf of Tonkin incident never happened -- it was contrived to justify our involvement in an escalating conflict there.

If the war had not concluded when it did, there could have been another 50,000 American casualties.

[Verginius Rufus]

I wouldn't put it past McCain to accept the VP slot from Kerry, if he thought the ticket would win, but I doubt he will be offered it because of his health problems, and because he isn't far enough to the left for the Democrats on some issues. I don't doubt that McCain hates Bush, but Cleland hates Bush even more intensely. I've wondered if Cleland is under consideration for VP.

[biblewonk]

Good dirt ping.

[T. Buzzard Trueblood]

BTTT