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Kerry turned out swift boat crewmen, his Navy superiors, and even retired admiral Elmo R. Zumwalt Jr. at Charlestown Navy Yard to sing his praises.

That's not particularly accurate. Kerry had been accused of committing an atrocity during the incident that resulted in his Silver Star. Zumwalt and several Swift vets, including his former commander Elliott, came forward to state that these charges were not true, which is a far cry from "singing his praises."

I agree: Kerry has always relied on the core of leftist veterans who have supported him since his VVAW days when he gets in trouble. They help him wave the flag, contemptuously dismiss anybody who wasn't in Vietnam, and play the war hero card.

That isn't going to work as well this time...

ADM Zumwalt also appeared with Kerry at a Swift Boat memorial dedication around 1992. He said some rather complimentary things, including that he would have nominated Kerry for the CMH, except it would have taken too long. I believe his later support of Kerry had more to do with pushing the Agent Orange issue (his late son's cause) than any real respect for Kerry. As has been indicated on this thread, when Zumwalt was in Vietnam, he thought Kerry was a loose cannon.

I predict that Kerry will invoke the name of John McCain in trying to ward off these attacks. He will say that they both have been attacked by GWB using these right wing groups. It is unfortunate that Ted Sampley, Vietnam Vets against John Kerry, has also taken on McCain. It is going to get very messy. I hope that the controversy will increase the pressure for Kerry to release his military records.

CBS reported today that Kerry is now one point ahead of Bush among veterans 48% to 47%. A week ago Bush was ahead 47% to 41% in the same poll. There is a lot at stake on this issue with about 30 million veterans in the electorate. The RNC will distance itself from this effort fearing the comparison of Bush's military service to Kerry's. It will be up to the surrogates to put the pressure on. Hopefully, the RNC will exploit Kerry's antiwar activities.