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"He was very brave in leading the investigation of the way the Reagan Administration negotiated with hostage-takers in Iran; I admired that, certainly. He worked hard with McCain to try to heal the wounds of Vietnam; he didn't have to do that, and it didn't help him politically."

It probably helped him personally.

He worked hard ordering documentation of POWS who's remains were never returned to be shredded...the same exact thing he crucified Oliver North for doing.

He then killed the Viet Nam Human Rights Act, attaching non-humanitarian aid to Vietnam to progress on human rights issues, in the Senate Subcommittee on East Asian and Pacific Affairs, which he chaired.

H.R. 2833 stated that Hanoi would get NO goodies from the US unless it demonstrated progress in the following areas:

the release of all political and religious prisoners from all forms of detention including imprisonment and house arrest;
respect by the Vietnamese government towards the right to freedom of religion, including the
right to participate in religious organizations not connected to the Vietnamese government;
respect for the rights of members of ethnic minority groups in the Central Highlands and elsewhere; and
an end to government complicity in severe forms of trafficking in human beings, in particular, women and children.

His excuse was "it may hinder rather than advance the cause of human rights in Vietnam."

In gratitude, Hanoi designatied John Forbes Kerry's first cousin, C. Stewart Forbes, CEO, of Colliers International as the exclusive real estate representative in Vietnam. A contract worth millions.

All of this information if freely accessable via the internet. Google it.

Admirable qualities indeed.