Greenfield: Kerry Has Unbeatable "National Defense & National Security Record

IMUS | 02/18/04

[Williams]

Jeff Greenfield on Imus this morning was discussing Edwards' chance of beating Kerry. Greenfield said repeatedly that Edwards lacks John Kerry's experience and record in the "National security and defense areas." He also said Kerry has found the way to exploit this against Bush, such as by saying "I know something about aircraft carriers, for real."

Democrats are so truly delusional (and deceitful). Kerry's record is one of slashing defenses, and he still believes the Cold War was a terrible mistake. So they obviously plan on saying the two months in combat is the same as a great "national defense" record.

It seems preposterous to me that Kerry knows more about aircraft carriers when President Bush has been leading the military (including aircraft carriers) around the World. It is also presumptuous to assume Kerry has somehow beaten Bush on the national security issue. I think the polls say just the opposite.

Imus was challenging Greenfield on whether Edwards served in Vietnam. Greenfield immediately said Edwards is 50, and "I believe the draft was ended before he became 18." Maybe, but I am 48 and the draft was ended just before I turned 18. Also, that would have nothing to do with volunteering, would it? In fact, Edwards would have a slightly better situation if he was subject to the draft and would have gone, but just didn't get called.

It was striking that while they criticize President Bush, the democrats and reporters (same thing) are so quick to assume a reason for why Edwards didn't serve. And of course it's a reason with no logic behind it.

[katana]

I'd take this within the context of the democrat primaries. To their voters Kerry does have a sterling record on defense in that he's done everything in his power over the past thirty years to dismantle our defense and cripple us.

In the context of the coming national campaign, and to anyone to the right of Tom Hayden, Greenfield's comments are absurd in the extreme. Kerry's main handicap is the long record he has in the Senate and in the VVATW. There should be commercial after commercial just listing his votes, with hardly any other comment necessary.

[mewzilla]

Kerry votes to gut our intel capabilities, and AGAINST at least 27 major weapons systems and Greenfield calls that unbeatable?! Kerry would have us fight any wars he couldn't run away from with us blind as a bat, and armed only with pea shooters and bad language!

May I have some of what Greenfield's smokin'?

[zook]

I heard that and just interpreted it as more evidence that guys like Greenfield, Alter, etc., just "luuuuv" Kerry. Reminds me of Dana Carvy's impersonation of Johnny Cochrane talking to Judge Eto. "Yo' honor is a wise man, yo' honor is an attactive man. If I was a gay man, I'd wanna have sex with yo' honor!"

But let me get this straight. Kerry is in Viet Nam for 4 months, saves a guy's life, but is also on record as saying that he pillaged villages and killed innocent people. And that's a strong defense record?

Please to be biting me, Jeff.

[mewzilla]

Or maybe Kaplan changed Imus' mind...

[TC Rider]

Just read more of Johnny's bio, he was at North Carolina State University till '74, thus probably had a 2-S, student deferment. No shame in that, but why does the media give him a pass?

[leadpenny]

I just don't see this Kerry/Imus bandwagon. What he wants, imo, is material. He wants a fight. I think he likes Kerry and wishes he would loosen up. Of course, he also likes W and Edwards and Dean. Even if he does, at some point, say, "I want Kerry to beat George Bush" it's not going to change my opinion of Imus or Kerry.

Whenever Imus goes on the road his audiences are overwhelmingly Republican and I don't think most of those people look to Imus for who he may or may not endorse for prez.

[OldFriend]

IMUS is on the Kerry bandwagon because Kaplan will fire him in a heartbeat if he supports President Bush.

[Blood of Tyrants]

Unbeatable it may be. I don't think that even Ted Kennedy can beat it.

[Gritty]

Headline: Kerry Has Unbeatable "National Defense & National Security Record

Sure thing.

So did Joe Stalin.

[Tallguy]

He also said Kerry has found the way to exploit this against Bush, such as by saying "I know something about aircraft carriers, for real."

Let's see if he ever gets challenged on this statement.

I'll bet any average American that subscribes to The History Channel knows more about aircraft carriers than Lt.(jg) John F. Kerry.

[xkaydet65]

George McGovern flew B-24s in Europe. He was shot down, escaped and flew again. He won a DFC. Richard Nixon played poker on a supply vessel for two years. When it came to knowing about national defense, who did America support?Acts of heroism in war do not inoculate one from criticism of actions and decisions made after the veteran has returned. We're electing a president, not a role in a war movie. Greenfield and others must know the public will decide this about the present not the past.

An interesting fact from that McGovern race.Stephan Ambrose worked for McGovern in that campaign. He asked the senator why he never would stress the contrast between his WW2 service and Nixon's.He said it wasn't about WW2 and that he was running on his record today.He lost, his record was wrong, but he was a man of honor. Someone John Kerry will never be confused with.

[Lancey Howard]

Whew!!!
For a minute I thought the title referred to Meg Greenfield.
Meg is sharp as a tack and VERY astute.
Jeff is a lightweight and an idiot; a reliable shill for the DNC.

By the way, Jeff seemed to have dropped off the face of the earth - - I haven't heard his name for years. When did he resurface?)

[Iowa_Clone]

as for the draft, my birthday is march 7, 1953. I received #2 in the lottery, but as I remember it, I would not have been actually subject to induction because Nixon ended the draft. But maybe I have some incorrect memory there. I did, in fact, have to go for a pre-induction physical.

In the interests of truth, my draft status went from 1A to 2s (student deferment) to CO (conscientious objector) to 4F (physically unfit - due to allergy to bee stings).

[Britton J Wingfield]

Post your poem on DU yet?

[bushfamfan]

Can someone set that straight? Did John Kerry actually ever serve or go on an aircraft carrier during Vietnam?

[Britton J Wingfield]

Everyone in the navy is an expert on aircraft carriers, of course.

[Semper Paratus]

Dole had it all over Clinton on that score also.

[twigs]

I'll be 50 next week and none of my classmates went. Maybe it was because of student deferments, but I don't remember any discussion or worry about the war (at least being pulled into it personally).

[Howlin]

Here is the Edwards' draft question again.

If Edwards had a student deferment, nobody has mentioned it yet.

[onyx]

You've nailed both ends.

Draft and student deferment.

Let me add this:

Poor boy Edwards --- full scholarship or student loan.

If the latter, is it repaid?