Posted on 09/05/2004 8:31:11 PM PDT by pjsbro
John Kerry's biographer today called on the presidential candidate to release his military records and warned a Navy investigation into his medals could prove to be the "death knell" of his campaign.
In the past, Kerry has said he could not release some documents because of contractual obligations to Douglas Brinkley, author of "Tour of Duty." Brinkley said he has no contractual claims to any of the papers.
"Clearly some of these military records should be made available to the press," he said on Steve Malzberg's WABC New York radio show today.
Brinkley also said that if the Navy investigation reveals deception in connection with Kerry's medals, it could be the "death knell" for Kerry's campaign. Professing uncertainty about what to make about the Swift Boat Vets' claims, Brinkley said: "Right now it's unclear. So we have to just wait to see what all this adds up to."
"Is it sloppiness, is it purposeful intent, is there an easy explanation for it?" Brinkley wondered.
The Pentagon ordered an official investigation into the awarding of five Vietnam War decorations to the Massachusetts senator.
The London Telegraph says the inquiry is being carried out by the inspector general's office of the U.S. Navy.
"It is the responsibility of all personnel to correct errors in official records," a Navy spokesman told the paper. Another official said privately: "There's a feeling that it's time to deal with this thoroughly, once and for all."
As WorldNetDaily reported last week, the Department of Defense informed Secretary of the Navy Gordon R. England of a formal request to investigate alleged military code violations in Sen. John Kerry's Silver Star award.
The request was made by the public-interest group Judicial Watch after news reports revealed Kerry's campaign website displays a document listing a "Silver Star with combat 'V'" even though the combat "V" device is never given with the nation's third highest award for heroism.
Also, there are three citations for the award, with the third, issued more than a decade after the event, bearing the signature of former Navy Secretary John Lehman.
Lehman, however, says he had nothing to do with the citation.
"It is a total mystery to me," he told the Chicago Sun-Times. "I never saw it. I never signed it. I never approved it. And the additional language it contains was not written by me."
The Telegraph says Lehman endorses the investigation of Kerry's awards, stating the relevant records need to be "thoroughly researched and the facts established."
Kerry's campaign is firing back, calling the Navy probe an expensive waste.
"The facts are clear," Kerry adviser Michael Meehan told the Telegraph. "The Navy awarded John Kerry the Silver Star, a Bronze Star with Combat V and three Purple Hearts. This is a waste of taxpayers' dollars and the Pentagon's time, especially during wartime."
Though Judicial Watch is hoping for a report before the Nov. 2 presidential election, the Navy thus far is remaining silent on any timetable.
Jerome Corsi, author of "Unfit for Command," the New York Times No. 1 best-seller by Swiftboat Veterans for Truth, told WorldNetDaily he considers the Judicial Watch complaint "an important and serious investigation."
"We believe the secretary of the Navy will validate the charges we've made in 'Unfit for Command,'" he said.
In a letter responding to Judicial Watch's complaint, the inspector general of the Defense Department, John R. Crane, cited Section 8(d) of the Inspector General Act of 1978, which states "the IG of the Department of Defense shall expeditiously report suspected or alleged violations of chapter 47 of title 10, United States Code (Uniform Code of Military Justice), to the Secretary of the military department concerned or the Secretary of Defense."
CAMMAND = COMMAND :-)
Brinkley knows it's all over, and he's putting as much distance between himself and kerry as he can before the bomb goes off. The bad part is, brinkley probably knew all the time that kerry was lying about his record, but would never have said a word if kerry hadn't been caught by the swifties.
WoW! sKerry's going down in flames.
Excellent website, thanks for the link
If it was a month before the election I'd be saying "checkmate" right about now, but stranger things have happened in elections.
Bush would do well to keep his fingers clear and just watch while Kerry spins in the blender.
I just don't believe that the pentagon is going to release any negitive news about Kerry. More likely the opposite. I don't rely on any government agency to get to the truth of anything. More than likely this is an atempt by Bush to prove that he is not behind the swift boat adds. The outcome is probably already pre-determined and Kerry is going to come out shinning on this one. That is my guess.
Wow. That Lehman angle is dynamite. I hadn't heard that part before.
He probably had his North Vietnamese manservant Fu Ling Yu fill out hundreds and then he sent them all out, hoping at least one would get signed. He got three. :)
I vote (B)
If the IG is just looking at the paper record and not deposing anyone involved then I would expect a speedy report to the Secretary of the Navy.
I'll take either. They're both deadly. LOL.
Did Brinkley's NEW YORKER piece ever come out explaining away Cambodia? I've been on vacation much of August and didn't hear. He sure seems to be pedaling away from Kerry now when previously he was attempting to salvage Kerry's military record for the campaign.
There is something so terrible in his military records that he'll risk any price associated wth hiding it than expose himself to the massive cost of showing it.
It is the same logic that will make it impossible for him to reveal the pre-nup deal he has with Terry Kerry. Why should we trust him with our money when his wife doesn't trust him with her money!
Kerry is an arrogant elitist, a lazy man, who hasn't done a damn thing in 20 years.
If Kerry had any integrity at all, on Tuesday morning, he would resign as candidate for President and resign as Senator. He has no integrity.
No., let the Navy do it's job. Hold your emails. Keep your phosphorus dry.
I also wonder just how bi-partisan this investigation will be.
Bush's plans for the next four years, and a Republican strong hold for a few more generations?
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