Kerry's Denial - Inside Politics

Washington Times ^ | Feb. 23, 2004 | Greg Pierce

[ReleaseTheHounds]

The Washington Times
www.washingtontimes.com

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Inside Politics

By Greg Pierce
Published February 23, 2004

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    Kerry's denial

    Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry has denied ever accusing American troops of committing war crimes in Vietnam. But his remarks during an interview on CNN on Thursday are at odds with the excerpts of a book that Mr. Kerry authored in 1971, Marc Morano reports at www.CNSNews.com.

    "The New Soldier," which is so difficult to find that it was selling on the Internet for about $850, featured the following passage by Mr. Kerry about his experiences in Vietnam: "We were sent to Vietnam to kill Communism. But we found instead that we were killing women and children."

    In the book, Mr. Kerry stated that Vietnamese citizens "didn't even know the difference between communism and democracy," and he blamed the United States for causing chaos in Vietnam.

    "In the process we created a nation of refugees, bomb craters, amputees, orphans, widows and prostitutes, and we gave new meaning to the words of the Roman historian Tacitus: 'Where they made a desert they called it peace,' " Mr. Kerry wrote.

    But when asked by CNN anchor Judy Woodruff on Thursday about reports that he had accused "American troops of war crimes," Mr. Kerry issued a denial.

    "No, I was accusing American leaders of abandoning the troops. And if you read what I said, it is very clearly an indictment of leadership. I said to the Senate, 'Where is the leadership of our country?' And it's the leaders who are responsible, not the soldiers. I never said that. I've always fought for the soldiers," he said.

    Mr. Kerry was referring to his testimony before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee in April 1971 as part of his involvement with the antiwar group Vietnam Veterans Against the War.

    But "The New Soldier" reveals Mr. Kerry's direct criticism of American soldiers, including charges that they committed atrocities against the Vietnamese while on patrol.

[ReleaseTheHounds]

I saw this interview by Judy Woodruff and felt: this is the most obvious lie I've seen by Kerry. Glad CNSNEWS caught this and are now broadcasting the exact quotes. When it comes time for Kerry to debate on this issue, I hope to see this line of questioning (and response) brought up and shoved down that long face of his.

[theDentist]

They should have played the tape (audio or video) where he accused his fellow soldiers of beheadings, of slaughters, of war crimes and atrocities and then ask how he could deny his own words.

[FlipWilson]

The arrogance of this guy is astounding. He thinks he can say or do anything on one day and then do the opposite the next day. His letter to Bush and his comments this weekend further highlight what a fearful worm this guy is. He knows damn well that he has left a trail of contradiction a mile long and a mile wide. Good luck hiding behind it by shouting "Vietman Veteran" Ketchup Boy. Your free ride is about over. It is hammer time!!!

[Eric in the Ozarks]

He thinks he'll have the Viet-era vets behind him in the campaign. I'm not so sure.

[Moby Grape]

He learned from Clinton and Clinton....Lie in the face of facts...the liberal press will help you... DENY...DENY..DENY.

[mombonn]

Your free ride is about over.

Let's wait 'til he gets the nomination to lower the hammer. I don't want to see Edwards as the nominee.

[cpdiii]

Kerry is going to have a real problem when the Vets that fought in Vietnam with courage and honor start showing up at all his political rallies and protesting. A good start would be in Boston at the DEMONrat convention.

[FlipWilson]

I am with you, but Edwards is just about done. The only way he could truly beat Kerry is to attack him. Edwards simply is not going to do that. This could be the first nomination where there is intense competition, yet the ultimate winner ends up being chosen by default.

[no dems]

EXACTLY! We need to hold off on all of this stuff until after the Dem-o-rats have their convention and he is the established nominee. Then, LOWER THE FREAKIN'BOOM.

[Hon]

Here is one of leaflets Jane Fonda, John Kerry and their "band of brothers" left behind during their raids on the farms and houses of the Valley Forge area in September 1970:

[cwb]

Exactly...and it isn't just his book were he makes these claims. Was it the Winter Soldier meeting were he made the claims of beheadings?

[Eva]

What letter to Bush?

[ReleaseTheHounds]

I agree and want to see Kerry as the nominee... I still expect Hitlery to come waltzing in just prior to the convention (assuming GWB still appears vulnerable) when ever Demo is getting severe buyer's remorse. Then Hitlery will be able to run without having campaigned at all, free to generate as much donations as the law allows (and then some, you can be sure), knowing that the media will be at her beck and call. I'm still confident that W will pull this one out, but I don't expect to see Hitlery waiting until she turns 61 to make her run. What a pathetic individual.... JMHO.

[cajun-jack]

he is as wrong on that subject as a weatherman in Louisiana is about the extended forecast.