exactly what I think would have worked.

That would have been an effective rebuttal. After that he could answer any new question saying he allready adressed that, he doesn’t want to argue with fellow veterans, and that they are entitled of a different opinion, that’s what they fought for.

Way more effective than going ballistic like he did.

Personally I always wanted to be Toby Ziegler. Knowing everything on the top of my head, and always have a snappy comeback.

First of all, please don’t take this one item of disagreement as an indictment of you or your whole blog. I agree with most of what you say, precisely because you lean libertarian.

I consider myself a right-wing blogger, and I believe the same things you do.

Second, I’ve been on the web since ‘96, so go easy on the “fledgling blogger” stuff. I just moved from Livejournal, but I’ve been around for a long time.

Third, we simply disagree on what will matter most to the voters (and the media). I think the Kerry in Cambodia story is much easier for them to spin. I think they can claim “bad memory” on Kerry’s part and get away with it. I think the media, and the voters, will be much more willing to forgive him for that, than they would for chicanery with the medals.

And while you might not think much of the medals, I think they mean a lot to the American public. I don’t think John Q. Voter is going to care about what he said to the Senate. I think they care about those medals, and the things he did to get those medals.

That’s why I said you’ve got it backwards. Are you focusing on the Cambodia thing because it bothers you more, or do you disagree with my assessment of the public?

True, he should have spiked the story as soon as he could, but how?

Go on Katie Couric with glistening eyes and in soft, humble tones explain his service record in some detail. Then, in the same soft, humble tones and with the same glistening eyes, express his deep regret that there are some veterans who simply cannot accept the idea that I war hero could also be a war critic.

And yeah, I know it would be 78% bullshit, but this is politics, after all. The point is that amongst the undecided/non-partisans, the initial attitude towards the Kerry vs. SBers would be one of leaning towards believing Kerry…for a lot of different reasons (including that this is all washing out 3 decades after the fact and during a political campaign).

So what Kerry should have done was go on TV and play ‘Thoughtful Leader’, admitting he could have used better judgement at times, chaulking errors up to youthful idealism, denying to core of the SBer attack very quietly (and with pain rather than anger) and stressing how Viet Nam lead to his maturing as a leader.

If he had done that 10 days ago he would be on the offensive, the SBers on the defensive, the issue would be dying with everyone but the partisans and Kerry would have picked up points for ‘being Presidential’.

You know, all my life I wanted to really be the Bruno character played by Ron Silver in The West Wing. Can you tell? At this point I’d settle for just having Ron Silver’s looks.

I like that in a woman.

What is the War Hero Afraid of?

Form 180. Release ALL the records.

You can see what is coming next.

John Kerry, war hero, denouncing his band O brothers. The stab in the back.

What is the War Hero Afraid of?

Form 180. Release ALL the records.

And no one put 2 and 2 together till now. It reminds me of the old saying, “The wheels of justice grind slow, but they grind exceedingly fine.” And in this case I hope they grind before Nov.2 .

You are the detective story writer but it seems to me everyone has missed this story.

On Dec 2, 1968, Kerry, the new boy out on an indoctrination mission on a Whaler gets nicked by his own carelessness. He makes a run for a Purple Heart and is laughed off by his doctor, his crewmen, and his CO. He thinks, nice try and forgets the whole deal for the time being.

On about December 13, 1968, after getting his own Swift Boat, he and his jolly crew set out up the river in a cocky mood–”Cocky!” he says in his journal because they are like anyone new to combat, they have never been under fire.

Kerry wasn’t even thinking of the baseless attempt at a Purple Heart for the training mission of Dec 2, 1968, and he probably had not really yet realized that he could game the system and get not one, but three Purple Hearts.

Only as he learned the ropes and figured out how easy it could be to count decorations did the quick way home seem within reach. That is when he found an angel in HQ,, pulled the old December 2, 1968, “combat experience” and “combat wound” out of the file and turned it into the ticket home.

Has anyone looked at the timing this way. It fully explains his describing himself and his crew on December 13, 1968 as never having been shot at., an assertion that is fatal to the December 2 Purple Heart grant.

I finally got “Directors Cut” from Amazon at the time I ordered my “Unnfit For Command.” I am looking forward to reading both.

RayC

Winter Soldier, Dewey Canyon. Senate testimony.

That would be not just the 50 or 100 who served with him but all 250.

I have been warning youKerry supporters to get ready for this one but you guys have been so busy with medals and Cambodia that you have not prepared.

Medals/service is just a probing attack. Now that strong and weak points have been identified, the weak points will be attacked from a different direction. We have tarnished the witness in some places. Cut him down to size in others.

I have the Doors on, I’burning incense, I got a Heinekins in my hand, my Navy coffee cup is full of hot steaming Naval Strength coffe. It takes me back to the thrilling days of yester year.

It is the Senate testimony more than the medal hunting that unites the 250. And the 2.4 million. And every one they can talk to.

Suppose that 2.4 million breaks 250/300 for Bush. That is a 1.6 million net gain for Bush assuming they split around 50/50 last time. This does not even count friends and neighbors.

Did I mention that I’m a vet and bought Kerry’s ‘71 line. And that lying fookin no good son of a bitch made me complict in the communist murders that followed our withdrawal. And the fookin mofo has never god dmd apoligized. Son O a dog. Well I want to say that I’m sorry and I’ll see him rot in Hell before he gets the vote of any one I know or can influence. Capiche?

This is a grudge match. And your general is a poseur. As is well evidenced to the discering eye now. Soon even to the blind.

I’ll leave a little taste of Kerry in the Senate ‘71.

INCOMING

–==–

I don’t believe a man with a character like John Kerry’s could be a war criminal. I believe he lied to the Senate in 1971.

What is the War Hero Afraid of?

Form 180. Release ALL the records.

I predicted about a week ago that Kerry would wind up in the low to mid thirties because even a lot of his base would be ashamed to be associated with him.

Every new set of talking points contradicts the last. Introducing Thurlow means off the boat is now valid evidence. And they will not gain the point because Thurlow cares more about the truth than a medal.

To gain one small point they gave way on a whole front.

Sure sign of collapse.

Watch for: Sauve qui peut. Coming soon to a Frenchman far from you. Tahreeeeeeeezzzzaaaaaaaaa.

–==–

What is the War Hero Afraid of?

Form 180. Release ALL the records.