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Manila Folder – John Kerry's 1986 wimp-out in the Philippines.
The Weekly Standard ^ | April 12 / April 19, 2004 | P.J. O'Rourke

Posted on 04/02/2004 9:22:55 PM PST by quidnunc

I've had a nonpartisan grudge against John Kerry for 18 years. This seems an appropriate time to air it.

In February 1986, Philippine president Ferdinand Marcos — unpleasant, unwell, and unloved — held a "snap election." This was a somewhat baffling attempt to bolster his authority by running against Corazon Aquino, widow of the opposition leader assassinated by Marcos henchmen. The American diplomatic response was baffled. Marcos was a friend of America, and U.S. military bases in the Philippines were vital to Cold War strategy. But the Philippines was being rent by popular political upheaval, Communist insurgency, Muslim unrest, and economic collapse; and a stable government was needed. But a stable government run by Marcos opponents would be angry about the support Marcos had received from his most powerful, not to say only, friend.

Not knowing what the heck to do in the Philippines, the Reagan administration sent an official election observer delegation headed by Senator Richard Lugar to do what-the-heck. Lugar said his delegation's purpose was "to demonstrate the importance to the United States of free and fair elections in the Philippines." Marcos had ruled the country, by means electoral and otherwise, since 1965. There was little likelihood that the snap election would be free and fair. Not that the U.S. delegation meant to find out. Lugar said, "Our delegation is going to the Philippines to watch and observe and not to pass judgment on the elections." Among the members of this watchful, observant, and non-judgment-passing delegation was the first-term senator from Massachusetts, John Kerry.

I was in the Philippines working on an article for Rolling Stone. The elections proceeded predictably with, as I wrote at the time, "voter-registration records being destroyed, ballot boxes stolen, opposition poll watchers barred from their stations, and army trucks full of 'flying voters' moved from one spot to another." And worse. I went to a farm village, or "barangay," about 80 miles north of Manila to interview the family of Arsenio Cainglet, barangay captain for the Cory Aquino coalition. Cainglet had been shot dead while holding his favorite fighting cock on his lap. With Cainglet's 18-year-old daughter translating, I asked the mourners at his funeral if the vote count reflected the political feelings of the village. "There was an audible collective snort. The mourners looked startled. Some of them laughed. Then they were silent."

-snip-

(Excerpt) Read more at weeklystandard.com ...


TOPICS: Extended News; Miscellaneous; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: 1986; jorourke; kerry; philippines; wimp

1 posted on 04/02/2004 9:22:56 PM PST by quidnunc
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To: quidnunc
Here is the meat:

Now, with benefit of hindsight, I think I can tell you why Kerry didn't do so. He was caught in Kerry-ish calculation--an ambitious young senator on his first important bipartisan delegation with its delicate mission of neutrality. Cory Aquino was very popular. But so was President Reagan. Which way to have it? Why, have it both ways! So Kerry was firmly behind Pash Commit of Flips to Dem, up to a point. Just as today Kerry is brave sailor/bold war protester; foe of Saddam/friend of Hans Blix; political underdog/entitled nominee; big government liberal/corporate tax-cutting conservative; rider of Harleys/marrier of Heinz; and, incidentally, still a real jerk.

2 posted on 04/02/2004 9:34:30 PM PST by woofie ( 99% of lawyers give the rest a bad name.)
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3 posted on 04/02/2004 9:35:26 PM PST by Support Free Republic (If Woody had gone straight to the police, this would never have happened!)
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To: quidnunc
PJ is a good writer, his books are usually hilarious.
4 posted on 04/02/2004 9:36:39 PM PST by GeronL (Hey, I am on the internet. I have a right (cough, cough) to write stupid things.)
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To: quidnunc
No offense, but is there a reason why you excerpted this?
5 posted on 04/02/2004 9:39:59 PM PST by MegaSilver
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To: MegaSilver
MegaSilver wrote: No offense, but is there a reason why you excerpted this?

Yes, it's the law.

The article is copyrighted, don't you see?

6 posted on 04/02/2004 9:43:22 PM PST by quidnunc (Omnis Gaul delenda est)
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To: quidnunc
Oh.

Silly me... and right after a huge debate on copyright law, too. :)
7 posted on 04/02/2004 10:02:34 PM PST by MegaSilver
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To: quidnunc; Bear_in_RoseBear
Kinda says it all about JF'nKerry, huh?

Pingpingping!

8 posted on 04/02/2004 11:55:05 PM PST by Rose in RoseBear (HHD [... and, the thing is, this is hardly the only story like this about JF'nKerry! ...])
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To: Rose in RoseBear
As Senator from Massachusetts, Kerry has been able to fool his electors for years dstraddling the fence, playing both sides against the middle. Presidents cant do this decisions have to be made , Hard decisions, and responsibility has to be take for them, Kerry aint got what it takes.
9 posted on 04/03/2004 5:05:27 AM PST by sgtbono2002 (I aint wrong, I aint sorry , and I am probably going to do it again.)
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To: quidnunc
btttttttt
10 posted on 04/03/2004 5:09:17 AM PST by dennisw (“We'll put a boot in your ass, it's the American way.” - Toby Keith)
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To: quidnunc
Don't you love the closer:

Just as today Kerry is brave sailor/bold war protester; foe of Saddam/friend of Hans Blix; political underdog/entitled nominee; big government liberal/corporate tax-cutting conservative; rider of Harleys/marrier of Heinz; and, incidentally, still a real jerk.

11 posted on 04/03/2004 7:04:54 AM PST by XHogPilot (9-11, Never Again, Never Forget)
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