[John H K]

The Sun was the SOLE source of the supposed quotes from Polier's parents calling Kerry a scumbag, wasn't it? One problem with British sources is I think people don't really have a clear idea what those sources are. A lot of outlandish Sun stuff gets posted here.

Those parental "scumbag" quotes from the Sun sounded dubious to me from the start. One problem FR has is applying different standards of credibility to things FR wants to believe as opposed to things that FR doesn't want to believe.

[kristinn]

While you're in your usual condescending mode here on FR, please note there has been no denial of the sleazeball comment, nor a denial of any of the quotes in the article by the parents.

[alexander_vi]

The Sun was not the only source of the "sleazeball" quote. The Telegraph said it too.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2004/02/15/wus15.xml&sSheet=/portal/2004/02/15/ixportaltop.html

'I think he's a sleazeball. I did wonder if she didn't get that feeling herself," said Mr Polier. "He's not the sort of guy I'd choose to be with my daughter.'

This article has, as one of the co-authors, a reporter in Nairobi. I wouldn't exactly dismiss it yet as tabloid bull. From the contents of the story, a lot of people around Alex Polier in Nairobi are already talking.