Kerry Says Credibility Not Damaged By Former Comrade's Lie

CNSNEWS.com ^ | 3/11/04 | Melanie Hunter

[kattracks]

(Editor's Note: Adds more detail about Al Hubbard)

(CNSNews.com) - Democratic presidential candidate Sen. John Kerry Thursday said his credibility was not affected by his previous association with a man who fabricated his military credentials while serving as executive director of a prominent anti-war group that included Kerry.

Al Hubbard appeared with Kerry in 1971 on NBC's Meet the Press , was introduced as a former decorated Air Force captain who had spent two years in Vietnam and was wounded in the process. In reality, Hubbard had lied about his military rank and other issues, as later investigations revealed.

At the time, Kerry, Hubbard and other members of Vietnam Veterans Against the War were alleging that U.S. troops were committing widespread atrocities against Vietnamese civilians. Kerry even testified about the issue before a congressional committee around the same time he and Hubbard appeared on Meet the Press .

"I think our credibility was tremendous," Kerry told CNSNews.com's Marc Morano during a press conference on Capitol Hill Thursday. Kerry was surrounded at the press conference by Democratic members of the U.S. Senate.

"I think that was one of the most moving and important weeks in an effort to end a war that needed to be ended, and I'm proud of the role that I played in helping to do that," Kerry said, referring to his television appearance with Hubbard and congressional testimony. "I think people all over this country joined together in trying to get our servicemen home," Kerry added.

After his lie was discovered, Hubbard appeared on NBC's Today Show and admitted lying about his rank because, he said, "he was convinced no one would listen to a black man who was also an enlisted man."

Kerry said he hasn't spoken to Hubbard since the week of April 19, 1971, "and everybody was disappointed by what they learned back in 1971. To his credit, [Hubbard] did serve his nation. He had simply exaggerated his particular position. But nobody knew it at the time, and those things happen."

But as CNSNews.com previously reported, Hubbard had done more than just exaggerate his rank in the Air Force. CBS News reporter William Overend, a writer for the network's anchorman Walter Cronkite in 1971, investigated Hubbard's war claims even further and discovered that there was no record of Hubbard having ever served in Vietnam. In addition, Hubbard was not shot down as he alleged and did not receive a Purple Heart for injuries sustained during battle.

See Earlier Stories:

Kerry-Linked Anti-War Group Can't Bury Deceit (March 3, 2004)

Most Media Refused to Expose Kerry's Anti-War Cohort (March 3, 2004)

[Keith in Iowa]

What he ain't got can't be damaged...credibility...

[dc-zoo]

So when do we get to see Kerry's "military credentials" since he won't release his records?

[stylin19a]

To his credit, [Hubbard] did serve his nation. He had simply exaggerated his particular position. But nobody knew it at the time, and those things happen."

Kerry must be stopped at all costs. A lie is an "exaggeration" ?..and no mention by Kerry of Hubbard not even being In-Country ?

[AmericanVictory]

Like Clinton, he has absolutely no conscience and, when caught in a lie, simpy tells a bigger one. He's sort of a compulsive liar without the Bubba, a caricature of Melville's Confidence Man, New England gravitas with absolutely nothing underneath the long face.

[RippleFire]

bump

[atomicpossum]

"So, Mr. Kerry, how much of your positions at that time were also based on lies?"

Obvious question that will undoubtedly elude the media.

[OESY]

"I think that was one of the most moving and important weeks in an effort to end a war that needed to be ended, and I'm proud of the role that I played in helping to do that," Kerry said, referring to his television appearance with Hubbard and congressional testimony.

Let's not forget that, because of anti-war efforts like those of Jane Fonda and John Kerry, Congress cut off funding, the "dominoes" fell in Southeast Asia, and 1.5-2.5 Cambodians lost their lives, as well as countless Vietnamese and Laotians who supported the US.

[Tailgunner Joe]

bttt