Posted on 05/02/2004 3:08:20 AM PDT by billorites
THE MORE John Kerry is asked about his Vietnam War medals, the more he resembles Bill Clinton answering questions about Monica Lewinsky.
During a 1971 anti-war protest, Kerry famously threw something over the fence at the U.S. Capitol. Other veterans tossed their medals over the fence, and Kerry presumably did the same. Back then, he led people to believe just that. Here is a transcript of a 1971 television interview with Kerry, reproduced last week by The New York Times and CNN:
Interviewer: How many did you give back, John?
Kerry: I gave back, I cant remember, six, seven, eight, nine.
The interviewer lists Kerrys Purple Hearts and Bronze and Silver stars. Kerry then says: Well, and above that, I gave my others.
Kerry wasnt talking about tie clips. Those comments unmistakably imply that he threw his medals over the fence.
On Good Morning America this week, Kerry claimed to have kept his medals. Interviewer Charles Gibson challenged him, saying, Senator, I was there 33 years ago, and I saw you throw the medals over the fence.
Columnist John Podhoretz recounted Kerrys response: No, you didnt see me throw the, Charlie, Charlie, you are wrong. Thats not what happened. I threw my ribbons across . . After the ceremony was over, I had a Bronze Star and a Purple Heart given to me, one Purple Heart by a veteran in the V.A. in New York and the Bronze Star by an older veteran of World War II in Massachusetts. I threw them over because they asked me to.
What Kerry tossed over the fence in 1971 would be irrelevant today had he not spent at least 15 years building political capital by letting people believe he threw his medals over. As with every other issue on which Kerry has ever taken a stand, the political winds changed, and with them Kerrys story.
When it was expedient to play the angry war protester, Kerry played it. Now that its expedient to play the hawkish patriot, Kerry is playing that.
On Good Morning America, Kerry tried to climb out of the pit he had dug for himself by attacking Republicans. This is a controversy that the Republicans are pushing, and this comes from a President and a Republican Party that cant even answer whether or not he showed up for duty in the National Guard. Im not going to stand for it.
After the show, when he thought his microphone was off, Kerry remarked, God, theyre doing the work of the Republican National Committee.
Actually, they were doing the work of good journalists. If all journalists who cover the Kerry campaign do their work as well, the public will see clearly the deceitful opportunist who hides under the coiffed hair and thrust-out jaw. However, as this would give President Bush an easier ride to a second term, it is doubtful that all journalists covering Kerry will do their jobs.
Tossing my cookies!
Then someone on the other side tossed them back. Who knew?


Buy a clue, FReeper friend.
The very fact that this story is not going away, when we know that the lib-suck media can either marginalize or kill any story they don't like, should tell you what game's afoot.
I'll give you a hint, elephant legs swaddled in black... and a saxaphone playing background music.
The "Union Leader" will write disparagingly about Republicans when they think they aren't conservative enough.
Kerry's ilk have never stood a chance with the "Union Leader". The 'Union Leader" eats them for breakfast.
longjack
Interviewer: How many did you give back, John?
Kerry: I gave back, I cant remember, six, seven, eight, nine medals.
Granted, he ducked his head and mumbled when he said the last word. But there's no question he said it. If anything, it indicated that even back then he was ducking the issue thinking no one would ever notice. Think the NY Times didn't notice it?

I'll give you a hint, elephant legs swaddled in black...
Hey John F'ing Kerry, the ribbons and medals are exactly the same award. Ribbons are worn on one uniform and medals on another.
On Good Morning America, Kerry tried to climb out of the pit he had dug for himself by attacking Republicans. This is a controversy that the Republicans are pushing, and this comes from a President and a Republican Party that cant even answer whether or not he showed up for duty in the National Guard. Im not going to stand for it.
Starting to get under your skin, is it?
After the show, when he thought his microphone was off, Kerry remarked, God, theyre doing the work of the Republican National Committee.
Oh F'ing, give it a break. The national media is so left leaning liberal, one little punch at you and you explode.
It's just a matter of time before kerry totally explodes on national TV.
Other than those, New England papers being liberal is a pretty safe bet. If you didn't live or grow up in New England it's hard to know the very few exceptions to the liberal rule.
longjack
But as the people were not outraged over kintoon's "is is" - the same will hold true for KetchUp-Kerry myriad of "flip flops" - no matter what the topic (e.g., medals, SUV, for then against, ..., etc.)
The GOP has had control of both houses of Congress and the White House for several years now ... nothing has changed. In particular ... action on Federal judges ... and Specter's primary win just shows more of the same ...
KetchUp-Kerry's shot is more of "Anyone than Bush!!!" than anything he has ever done ... pro/con that's it.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.