"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."
Posted on 08/31/2004 1:54:33 AM PDT by 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.
E-mail a news tip to Robert B. Bluey.
Send a Letter to the Editor about this article.
Riverside & 122nd
Time to put in perspective.
1992 - Kerry "military service is irrelevant for being President"
2004- Kerry "I should be President because I served in Nam"
They called him Flipper, lives in a world full of wonder!!
You can add Duncan Hunter (AbnRgr, 2 VTN tours with Rgrbat and 173D). Mark Kirk's web site is a hoot...to read it you'd think the guy was Randy Duke Cunningham! Mark is usually the champion for dropping standards, women in combat and gays in the military...
Trying to guess who's buried there.
:-)
Don't forget Kerry's little puppet Max.
When asked if he had been in touch with the Kerry campaign to offer advice, Rangel dismissed the suggestion.
So, it's not clear to me, Rangel says veterans shouldn't brag, but when it comes to the candidate of his party bragging about his service, Rangel dismisses the suggestion. Was it a suggestion that Kerry not brag about his service? Sounds like Rangel ought to be ticked off that his own candidate is doing what he says shouldn't be done.
John Kerry made this an issue. He's stuck with it. The Rats made Bush's service in the ANG an issue. If they're going to dig this stuff up, they're probably going to get dirty from it.
The Democrats lowered the bar when they defended Bill Clinton's record (of avoiding the draft). Nothing they have to say is based on any real core belief.
As one of them said recently, up is down, down is up, black is white and so on.
If President Bush had entered the Air Force, and then spent his entire tour of duty stateside, they would have attacked him. The point is not did President Bush serve, the point is he is not a liberal Democrat and nothing he has done or said is good enough. They do not attack him for his ideas or his action, they attack him because he is not one of them.
At some point in time, when there were gatekeepers to knowledge and news may have worked. But the world has changed and the left are being (dare I say it) left behind.
You are right on. The Rats are distancing themselves from Kerry, a sure sign of imminent political death. Rangel is saying, in code, "Don't vote for the scumbag Kerry. Just don't lower yourself to voting for Bush." Ralph Nader, here they come!
support the SWIFT VETS...see the new ad here http://swift3.he.net/~swift3/medals.mov
Charlie sees his chairmanship slipping away and it is pissing him off that Kerry is Dukakis lite.
Which veteran in the House of Representatives was it that bjclinton was on the phone with, talking about sending the military into former Yugoslavia, while being serviced by Monica???
I cannot remember his name, but I think he is from Texas.
I can't stand Rangel! This article makes my blood boil! GRRRRRRR!
<><
Is Charlie a veteran? Talks like it. Multiple Silver Star winner? What a tool.
LOL!
To print out and wear as a Campaign Button, go HERE. Over 2,800 hits as of 8/31! Feel free to reuse this anywhere you wish...I just LOVE a Meltdown. BUMP
Rumsfeld was a Navy fighter pilot. Alos, one of our Congressmen from Illinois (can't recall the name) was an A-6 pilot in the first Gulf War.
Also, let's note that max Cleland never bragged either, but he sure loves the lifelong pity party.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.
