Arizona congressman doesn't find anti-Kerry ads inappropriate

KVOA Tuscon Eyewitness News 4 ^ | August 7, 2004

[dano1]

U.S. Rep. Jim Kolbe, R-Ariz., said he doesn't find ads accusing Democratic presidential nominee John Kerry of lying about his military service inappropriate.

"If Senator Kerry can trot out his people on stage that he served with to use as an endorsement of his military service, then it's not inappropriate for others who also served with him to question whether his service is all it's made up to be," Kolbe said Friday.

Kolbe said he got to know Kerry during his year as a naval communications officer and later as an operations officer in Vietnam.

The 60-second ad is scheduled to air in a few markets in Ohio, West Virginia and Wisconsin.

It was paid for by Swift Boat Veterans for Truth, an advocacy group made up of former military officers and enlisted men who served in Vietnam on Navy Swift boats or in affiliated commands.

[dano1]

"A lot of people took umbrage to that," Kolbe said. "And I remember my own feeling at that time, feeling a little bit of outrage, a little bit of hurt, and feeling tarnished by someone I served with who basically took a broad brush and said, `We're all war criminals.'"

[Cboldt]

*Bump*

If elected Federal representative talk about this, it will stay in the news cycle. I'd hope for an accurate airing by the news media, but that is beyond their ability and/or demeanor.

[RatSlayer]

Wow. Kolbe is, by far, the most liberal of the AZ pubbies. I never would have expected him to make a statement like this. Kerry's war crime allegations must have really rubbed Kolbe the wrong way.

[dano1]

It seems inconsistent to skewer President Bush based on the fabricated theory that he may have missed duty some weekend duty from his six-year National Guard Duty - completely without any evidence or facts,

and then at the same time to say that Kerry's record in Vietnam is isn't even appropriate for discussion by those who served alongside him.

The Democrats have to decide which rules of protocal for the debate are correct, and follow them.

[Carling]

Kerry opened a lot of old wounds with his act at the Convention.

I will do whatever I can to let these vets' voices be heard. My wife is already mad that I sent them money.

I have a feeling this thing is going to snowball. Someone will start asking Kerry about the specifics of his service and his anti-war actions afterward, won't they? I've never seen a candidate get such a pass. He's had ONE difficult interview with ABC, and Russert stumped him as well but was generally too easy with him.

[Cboldt]

The Democrats have to decide which rules of protocal for the debate are correct, and follow them.

No, the DEMs don't choose protocol. It is simply proper to point out that the DEMs are void of protocol, that they have no moral or ethical boundary to their conduct.

If the people vote for that, well, crap.

[gilliam]

The Democrats have to decide which rules of protocal for the debate are correct, and follow them.

Who gave the Democrats this power?

[dano1]

Someone will start asking Kerry about the specifics of his service and his anti-war actions afterward,

Kerry opened this Pandora's box by promoting the unfounded allegations about W missing weekend National Guard Service.

[Edit35]

When is McCain up for re-election??

Until this week, I could tolerate him, knowing he was a Repub.

After hearing him try and stop fellow Vietnam veterans from exercising their First Amendment right, I would move to Arizona just to vote against him.

McCain makes me ill.

[dano1]

Who gave the Democrats this power?

I just mean that there shouldn't be one set of rules for the Democrats and another set of rules for the Republicans.

[BonnieJ]

Will this story fade as fast as Sandy Berger and his theft of documents? We hear nothing of that now, but the Shelby allegations are still being talked about. I hope this will not be quickly buried like so much else about Kerry and other Democrats.

[gilliam]

IMHO, when Kerry stood up there during the Democratic convention and pretended to be a hero of the Vietnam war, he threw the rule book away.

[gilliam]

Will this story fade as fast as Sandy Berger and his theft of documents?

Only if you and I let it!

[tkathy]

IMHO the testimony about war crimes that Kerry and others did is what is going to keep coming back at him. (Assuming that Kerry lied about this.)

[Cboldt]

(Assuming that Kerry lied about this.)

He's a politician of the worst sort. 'nough said.

[cyncooper]

Excellent. Kolbe is my rep and I'm pleased to see him say this.

I'll add that McCain made his (idiotic) statement two days ago, now. I and others called his office to protest.

[Poincare]

Only if you and I let it!

Right you are. If Kerry survives this assault of truth he will be unstopable. That which doesn't kill his chances only makes him sronger. Remember how the "intern trouble" faded and made him stronger. When one sets out to kill the king one dare not miss or retreat.

[Fiddlstix]

BTTT

[mabelkitty]

Hmm. I bet Kolbe has some dirt on Kerry.

[cyncooper]

It seems inconsistent to skewer President Bush based on the fabricated theory that he may have missed duty some weekend duty from his six-year National Guard Duty - completely without any evidence or facts,and then at the same time to say that Kerry's record in Vietnam is isn't even appropriate for discussion by those who served alongside him.

Plus Kerry is making his service the main reason he says people should vote for him AND uses a picture that includes some of these men in his campaign ads. A picture they have asked for some time now that the campaign cease and desist from using.

You are correct that the hammering Bush took over speculative charges on his service set the stage for this Kerry saga to be thoroughly vetted. And unfortunately for Kerry, there seems to be reason, unlike with Bush, to really question his history in this area.