Kerry refuses to release more records (day after promising on MTP)

BOSTON GLOBE ^ | April 20, 2004 | Michael Kranish, Globe Staff

[Liz]

WASHINGTON -- The day after John F. Kerry said he would make all of his military records available for inspection at his campaign headquarters, a spokesman said the senator would not release any new documents, leaving undisclosed many of Kerry's evaluations by his Navy commanding officers, some medical records, and possibly other material.

Kerry, in an interview Sunday on NBC's "Meet The Press," was asked whether he would follow President Bush's example and release all of his military records. "I have," Kerry said. "I've shown them -- they're available for you to come and look at." He added that "people can come and see them at headquarters."

But when a reporter showed up yesterday morning to review the documents, the campaign staff declined, saying all requests must go through the press spokesman, Michael Meehan. Late yesterday, Meehan said the only records available would be those already released to this newspaper.

"He is releasing all military records he has released to The Boston Globe," Meehan said in a telephone interview. In a follow-up e-mail, Meehan said it was those particular records to which Kerry was referring on "Meet the Press."

Kerry has not released the formal evaluations from superior officers, although his campaign has given a letter from a commanding officer that recommended him for service aboard Navy patrol boats and also reports for the Silver and Bronze stars that laud Kerry's actions in combat. By comparison, retired Army General Wesley K. Clark released hundreds of pages of his records during the Democratic primary campaign, including all evaluations of him by his superiors.

Bush earlier this year released 300 pages of documents after media outlets raised new questions about the extent of his National Guard service. Those records, which Bush promised during a Feb. 8 appearance on "Meet the Press" to make available, included many military evaluations and medical records.

--SNIP--

Michael Kranish can be reached at kranish@globe.com

[Liz]

Kerry, in an interview Sunday on NBC's "Meet The Press," was asked whether he would follow President Bush's example and release all of his military records. "I have," Kerry said. "I've shown them -- they're available for you to come and look at." He added that "people can come and see them at headquarters."

Kerry's a secularist who does not distinguish between right and wrong, lies and truth. He says one thing and does another.

[Robert A Cook PE]

I'm shocked!

Gee.

(Waiting for big press uproar....)

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[BillyCrockett]

This issue is going to haunt him right along with Terazor not wanting to release her tax return records.

[woofie]

I can feel the love from across the nation for Mr Kerry
the excitement is palpable.....

[Izzy Dunne]

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[samtheman]

Maybe he's just being humble. Maybe those records are full of glowing reports about his 3 months in Vietnam. (Or was it 4?)

[cardinal4]

The guy is more cadaverous than Gore. He would put the Tazmanian devil to sleep..

[airborne]

I hope you aren't holding your breath.

[Sci Fi Guy]

Kerry is Bob Dole!!

Think about it compare the way Kerry is running his campaign and the way Dole ran his.

[Dante3]

Kerry is worse than Gore, both have the active sopport of Bon Jovi.

[OXENinFLA]

WASHINGTON -- The day after John F. Kerry said he would make all of his military records available for inspection at his campaign headquarters, a spokesman said the senator would not release any new documents, leaving undisclosed many of Kerry's evaluations by his Navy commanding officers, some medical records, and possibly other material.

ATTENTION: The definition of ALL has been changed. You'll have to ask JFn'K for the new definition.

[woofie]

"cadaverous"....good word

[commish]

Looks like it is time to dust off thwe ole CLINTON PARSE-O-METER (TM), and rename it the KERRY PARSE-O-METER (TM).

Everyone thought Kerry said he would Release all his records, when what he said is he would release all the records he had released to the Boston Globe.

It really depends on what the meaning of the word release is.

[nuconvert]

"He is releasing all military records he has released to The Boston Globe," Meehan said in a telephone interview. In a follow-up e-mail, Meehan said it was those particular records to which Kerry was referring on "Meet the Press."

OHHhhhh.....THOSE Records........

LoL. Sounds like Kerry's version of Gary Hart's invitation ............

[TomGuy]

Kerry's a secularist who does not distinguish between right and wrong, lies and truth. He says one thing and does another.

And what he says to one group or reporter has not bearing on what he says to another group or reporter.

[MJY1288]

I'm sure David Gregory and Chrissy Matthews will make a big issue over this broken promise < /sarcasm > OFF

[Semper Paratus]

Sounds like Kerry's version of Gary Hart's invitation ...

Sounds like his records are a tooth ache to him and somebody is got to find a drill.

[Ramcat]

"He is releasing all military records he has released to The Boston Globe," Meehan said ..."

What he say?

[Redcoat LI]

Re; your tagline I missed that,what happened?

[ClearCase_guy]

Meanwhile, the Washington Times has publicly invited Kerry to an Editorial Board meeting to discuss his claims (repeated on MTP a few days ago) that he has met with foreign leaders who support him over Bush. These claims are clearly lies and the Washington Times is calling him on it.

The Press is getting fed up with Kerry. He's a loser. They know it. They hope for someone better to arise. But who?