Below is from the Chicago Tribune (pictures added).
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When many Americans believe Democrats don’t sufficiently support U.S. troops, perhaps the last thing you should do as a leader of the Democratic party is suggest that the troops who get sent to the Iraq are academic losers, doofuses who did poorly in school.
In a mid-term election year with numerous close races, Kerry’s comment is already haunting Democrats. At today’s White House briefing, Press Secretary Tony Snow previewed how Republicans will likely exploit Kerry’s gaffe.
MR. SNOW: … It sort of fits a pattern. You may recall that last year Senator Kerry on CBS's Face the Nation accused U.S. soldiers of terrorizing kids and children in Iraq and recently also described troop concentrations in Baghdad as, quote, “having failed miserably.” What Senator Kerry ought to do first is apologize to the troops. The clear implication here is: If you flunk out, if you don't study hard, if you don't do your homework, if you don't make an effort to be smart and you don't do well, you, quote, "get stuck in Iraq." Bret, an extraordinary thing has happened since September 11th, which is a lot of people, America's finest, have willingly agreed to volunteer their services in a mission that they know is dangerous, but is also important. And, you know, Senator Kerry not only owes an apology to those who are serving, but also to the families of those who have given their lives in this. This is an absolute insult, and I'm a little astonished that he didn't figure it out already. I mean, you know, as far as Senator Kerry -- I mean, you've seen me; if I say something stupid, I apologize as quickly as possible. And this is something for which he ought to apologize. Meanwhile, it's probably reasonable to ask some of the Democrats -- ask Jim Webb or Tammy Duckworth, both of whom are citing their military record, "Okay. What do you think about? What do you think about this quote? Do you agree with him? He was your presidential nominee." And as for the notion that, you know, you can say this sort of thing about the troops and say you support them, it's interesting.
Let’s set aside the fact that, according to the experts, the quality of the U.S. military is higher than it’s ever been, the benefit of having a motivated, all-volunteer military and relatively higher intelligence standards than has been true in the past.
So now Kerry has, a week before the election, put every Democratic candidate, especially veterans, on the defensive. They must now respond to his gaffe instead of focusing on what had been their plan, a ceaseless offensive against President Bush’s conduct of the Iraq War.