Kerry Ally Says Veterans Shouldn't Brag About Military Service

CNSNEWS.com ^ | 8/31/04 | Robert B. Bluey

[kattracks]

New York (CNSNews.com) - Longtime New York Democratic Congressman Charles Rangel had some critical words Monday for his party's presidential nominee Sen. John Kerry, telling reporters and others gathered for a Democrat-sponsored rally that veterans shouldn't boast about their military achievements.

"I don't think veterans ought to be running around saying what good that they've done or to believe that you have to be a veteran or hero to serve this great republic," Rangel told an audience at Grant's Tomb that had nearly as many journalists as spectators.

Rangel also spoke with disdain about President Bush, whom he accused of ducking out of military service during the Vietnam War. Bush served in the Texas Air National Guard, but in Rangel's view, is no real veteran.

"What outrages us [veterans] is when someone who has this type of a record, for lack of a better word, can hire people to attack real heroes and real veterans," Rangel said in reference to the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth charges disputing Kerry's military service.

Afterward, Rangel spoke to a small group of reporters about his disappointment in the Kerry campaign for not acting more "outraged" over the veterans' attacks.

"I have not seen any outrage," said Rangel, a Korean War veteran. "I think he ought to take the president on and bring the president into the ring."

When asked if he had been in touch with the Kerry campaign to offer advice, Rangel dismissed the suggestion.

"You don't coach somebody," he responded. "There should be more outrage about this. Take aim right at the president."

After the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth began airing a television ad Aug. 5, it took Kerry two weeks to directly respond to questions about the medals he was awarded in Vietnam. But by then, even some Democrats were wondering why it had taken so long to refute the charges.

Rangel, like many other Democrats, placed the blame on Bush for engaging in attack politics on the issue of Kerry's Vietnam service. The Bush campaign, however, has denied any formal link to the veterans' group.

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[Jet Jaguar]

Ping

[boxerblues]

Rangel also spoke with disdain about President Bush, whom he accused of ducking out of military service during the Vietnam War. Bush served in the Texas Air National Guard, but in Rangel's view, is no real veteran.

Tell that to the thousands of NG serving in Iraq that they are not real veterans.

[PeoplesRepublicOfWashington]

What were the 'Rats doing defiling Grant's tomb?

[ableChair]

The abandonment of a sinking ship now begins.

[bt_dooftlook]

This is the end, my only friend - when Dems almost as liberal as Kerry and twice as dumb start taking pot shots at his bragadoccio, can't be too long.

[nopardons]

bttt

[CyberAnt]

But .. Rangel didn't have any problem with Clinton WHO REALLY DID "DUCK" out of serving.

These people have lost all credibility. They have lied so much they don't have the slightest idea what they're talking about.

[boxerblues]

This is going to fun watching them meltdown.

[BigSkyFreeper]

Longtime New York Democratic Congressman Charles Rangel had some critical words Monday for his party's presidential nominee Sen. John Kerry, telling reporters and others gathered for a Democrat-sponsored rally that veterans shouldn't boast about their military achievements.

Yet had to lower himself to boasting about his service, and that of John Kerry.

Rangel also spoke with disdain about President Bush, whom he accused of ducking out of military service during the Vietnam War. Bush served in the Texas Air National Guard, but in Rangel's view, is no real veteran.

[BigSkyFreeper]

Yep. All of a sudden, character matters to the Left.

[goldstategop]

Ouchhh!!! Yeah advice that's a day late and a dollar short. Charlie Rangel knows John F*ckin' is a complete braggart. I've never heard of a real vet boast of his wartime service. You never heard it from the real JFK, from George McGovern, from Jimmy Carter, from G.H.W.B Bush, from Bob Dole and from Al Gore. But we've heard it ad nauseum from Kerry. That's the difference between heroes and a poseur. After all as Pittsburgh Steelers' great Jack Hamm reminded us, "true greatness does not have to be defined or explained."

[NYCVirago]

"I don't think veterans ought to be running around saying what good that they've done or to believe that you have to be a veteran or hero to serve this great republic," Rangel told an audience at Grant's Tomb that had nearly as many journalists as spectators.

And this is in Manhattan!

[Jet Jaguar]

The figures in politics(recently) that I am aware of; service.
John McCain,
John Kerry,
Bob Kerrey,
Bob Dole,
George Bush,
George W. Bush,
John Boehner,
Dan Burton,
Stephen E. Buyer,
John Conyers,
Randy "Duke" Cunningham,
Peter A. DeFazio,
John D. Dingell,
Don Young,
C.W. Bill Young,
Heather A. Wilson,
Jose E. Serrano,
Charles B. Rangel,

Just a short list.

The figures in politics that brag About military service (recently)

Senator John Forbes Kerry.

[BigSkyFreeper]

I say let the dingbats of the left take pot shots at President Bush. Too many people in this country will not tolerate one moment to see Bush attacked in such a manner, at a time like this, when our country is at war.

[Khurkris]

Rangel needs a bitch-slapping.

[atomic conspiracy]

Rangel served this country with honor during the Korean War and the Civil Rights Movement, but he has done nothing worthwile since and has long since declined into the advanced stages of lib-dementia.

[Doogle]

real vets don't


Doogle

[Doogle]

vets will speak up though,when another vet is in need.

let's see how does this go now? kerry gets vets aboard to praise his pass duties. Other vets say.."well hold on now, I will, and have spoken against you" and their suppose to "shut up" or "go away"???.....noting they have not shown support for Bush, just against kerry. And now since the 527's (Demo's $70 million..Pubs' 9 million) and had it's effect (the swifties) were all suppost to stop?. The democrats had MSM for the last year hammering the President ...kerry had the last 9 months hammering the President..260 vets who have the right to speak up, do and their condemn?


I don't think so

Doogle

[PogySailor]

Rangel also spoke with disdain about President Bush, whom he accused of ducking out of military service during the Vietnam War. Bush served in the Texas Air National Guard, but in Rangel's view, is no real veteran.

Is he saying that only people that went to Vietnam are veterans? What a load of crap!