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One of the key Swifties, Kerry's commanding officer, Lieutenant Commander George Elliott has retracted his charges in an affidavit that claimed Kerry did not deserve the Silver Star.

You're just full of DNC talking points tonight, aren't you? Elliot did not retract his charge. Just because the reporter said he did doesn't make it true. He has disputed the published report of his 'retraction' and reiterated that (paraphrased):

Had I known the true facts of the incident, I never would have considered recommending him for his Silver Star.

The only change to his claims was the correction of an omission. He had failed to indicate that the 'shot in the back' portion of it was based on other people's accounts rather than his own personal knowledge of the events. That's hardly a retraction of his entire affidavit.

Elliot did not retract his charge. Just because the reporter said he did doesn't make it true.

Quotes from his Boston Globe interview:

George Elliott: "It was a terrible mistake probably for me to sign the affidavit with those words. I'm the one in trouble here... I knew it was wrong... In a hurry I signed it and faxed it back. That was a mistake."

George Elliott: "I have chosen to believe the other men. I absolutely do not know first hand." [regarding the medal]

Elliott is the guy who went to Boston in '96 and defended Kerry's receipt of the Bronze Star and the Silver Star, also reported in the Boston Globe at that time.

So we have a commanding officer who recommends for the medal. Then campaigns for Kerry in '96 on just how much Kerry deserved the medals. Now he campaigns against Kerry and makes an affidavit. Then retracts part of the affidavit. Then retracts the retraction. Now he says he shouldn't have given Kerry the medal at all. Because some other guys said so.

Apparently, after thirty years we can be confident he's finally discovered the truth. If not, maybe he will soon. This is why I earlier said that his actions and remarks over the years sound confused. It sounds like some kind of groupthink episode, not something that he remembers with any great clarity.