I think this puts too strong a spin on the Swift Boat vets' reactions to Kerry.
Certainly, many were disgusted by Kerry's turncoat antiwar antics and his peers were so unimpressed with Kerry's valor and judgment that they asked him to leave the Vietnam theater early (relayed by Thomas W. Wright, Cdr., USN, Ret.).
But it was not until they read passages from Douglas Brinkley's Tour of Duty, and recognized incidents described for which they had personal knowledge -- often highly embellished if not plainly wrong on the facts that many, like George M. Elliott, Capt., USNR, Ret., were persuaded to join SBVT and oppose Kerry.
Their reading confirmed their impressions that Kerry was an ambitious opportunist who had a demonstrated pattern of behavior that was not trustworthy.
Both O'Neill and Roy Hoffmann, Adm., USN, Ret., have done a terrific job in bringing this to the public's attention. The country owes them a debt of gratitude.
John E. O'Neill
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I agree with what you wrote. My point was just that Bush didn't orchestrate the SVFT to dislike Kerry; they had their own reasons, as you pointed out.