A retired Rear Admiral who was ON THE BOAT with Kerry, and in command (what was the admiral's his rank at that time?), says no enemy fire.
This whole tawdry situation is most unfortunate. Nobody really wants to believe that Kerry could be so opportunistic as to significantly exaggerate some of these incidents.
Almost I begin to feel sorry for the man. Not for "baseless attacks" against him, but because of the emerging facts which indicate that the criticisms do indeed have significant basis.
There's no way that so many decorated officers, and others who served with and near Kerry would trash their own beloved reputations by simply lying for George W. Bush. It's simply unprecedented.
Where there's smoke, there's fire, and I don't think Kerry will bounce back from this.
Kerry might be able to pull his butt out of the fire if he issues a sincere and direct apology for his POST WAR activities. Maybe, but I think he'll have to.
If not, he will continue to be characterized as having slandered the US military in a broad way.
If he does that he is totally finished as a candidate. It would be admitting he lied, is an opportunist, and rode on the back of the anti-war movement to promote his political career. Nope, he's got to ride this out and with more and more MSM finally getting involved he must be seeing the presidency dissolve before his eyes. Besides someone who doesn't have a sincere bone in their body can't issue a sincere apology.