Oklahoma Republican Congressman Tom Cole Wants John Kerry Vietnam Debate Ended

KTOK News ^ | 8-26-04

[ambrose]

Cole Wants John Kerry Vietnam Debate Ended

Thursday, August 26, 2004 at 11:42am

Oklahoma Republican Congressman Tom Cole says it's time to end the political debate over John Kerry's Vietnam ilitary service and worry about the war going on in Iraq.

Fresh from his second visit to Iraq and Afghanistan, Republican U-S Representative Tom Cole of Oklahoma says the nation would worry more about American soldiers in those two countries than spending time debating John Kerry's military record in Vietnam.

Interviewed by Newsradio 1000 KTOK, Congressman Cole said he also sees progress in the two countries.

About the flap over Kerry's record in Vietnam, "I wish we would quit talking about the war that was 30 years ago and talk about the one right now where we have young Americans in harm's way," said Cole.

"With all due respect," he continued, "I think the Vietnam thing is my generation being a little bit self indulgent and self centered. We want to fight out the war that was going on when we were 20. Let's worry about the war that's gon on with kids that are 20 today."

Cole visited with American troops and new leaders in the two countries and came away, he said, with a perception there has been real progress.

"We saw many more Iraqis directly involved in security activity. Much more upbeat about the training and equipping of those troops. That's good," he said.

Cole says American soldiers told him they also see progresss.

"I see progress on the political front. Progress on the security front in terms of the Iraqis doing more." He also admits he has a great deal of admiration for the two leaders in the two countries.

"They risk their lives. When you step into those jobs, American politicians worry about losing the next election. Iraqi politicians worry about losing their lives the next morning. They're brave." (JB)

[Ken H]

STFU and sit down.

Yes, Cole needs a big cup of it.

The thing he may not realize is that no matter what the Dems, the GOP, and the MSM want, nothing is going to stop the Swift Vets from getting their message to the public.

Sounds like the donations are adding up to some real money too.

[California Patriot]

Another Republican "leader" doing the Dems' work for them.
Puke alert.

[Ken H]

Looks like they're up to $2 million now. From "Fair Opinion" on another thread--

O'Neill also said:

"Why, Mr. Kerry, are our charges as a 527 group unacceptable to you, while the pronouncements from 527 groups favorable to you are considered acceptable, regardless of stridency and veracity? And we do not have a George Soros, willing to drop millions into our modest group. We control our message. To date, we have received $2 million from 30,000 Americans who have donated an average of around $64."

[Mo1]

"With all due respect," he continued, "I think the Vietnam thing is my generation being a little bit self indulgent and self centered. We want to fight out the war that was going on when we were 20. Let's worry about the war that's gon on with kids that are 20 today."

With all due respect Congressman

John Kerry sold out the troops in 71

And take a look at his voting record in the senate

What do you think the chances are that he will sell out the troops again ??

[tkathy]

Whether or not Kerry lied, cheated and used his service for political opportunism is very important.

[BunnySlippers]

Where can I find the column? Can you remember the title?

[CalRepublican]

Hey Tom, you work for us buddy. We tell you what's important, not the other way around.

[faithincowboys]

I agree with Tom. I am upset that kerry made us do this. Kerry has reopened old wounds because his Senate record is abyssmal.

I agree with Tom, but why the Hell didn't he say this when Kerry and the MSM were winning the refight of Nam.

[Nick Danger]

Tom Cole of Oklahoma says the nation would worry more about American soldiers in those two countries than spending time debating John Kerry's military record in Vietnam.

We're not debating John Kerry's military record in Vietnam, Tom. We're debating whether there is a pretender and pathological liar running for President of the United States.

The Democratic candidate for President was an unknown to most Americans until this year. It's not like he was one of the Senate's luminary figures. So he gets on the national stage and presents himself to the American people as a one-time war hero... a guy who doesn't have that McGovern baggage that so many Democrats carry.

Now we find out he's worse than McGovern. He's McGovern and Jane Fonda rolled into one. Not only has he voted against every military and intelligence program in twenty years, he's the guy who slimed a generation of veterans in front of the United States Senate. Under oath.

And he has the nerve to arrive at the Democratic convention in a faux "swift boat," where he proceeds to "report for duty" while his "band of brothers" stands behind him waving the flag.

It's not about Vietnam. It's about a charlatan running for President.

[leprechaun9]

Congressman Cole, you decide the issues on which you base your vote, but STFU about dictating to me how I decide my vote.

[jongaltsr]

With all respect Mr Cole, what exactly are you going to do about it? Are you going up and kick dirt in John Kerry's face or something?"
Actually, it ain't none of your friggin business! Kerry stood up and slandered us for all of these years and now he is going to hear about it.
So with all due respect sir, just Fuc* Off.

[dc-zoo]

Sorry for the late reply. I was sleeping. The story is in Bob's Chicago Tribune column and has been posted on the board. The story was also in the NY Post this morning.

[BunnySlippers]

Thanks and bump. I ran across it at least twice this morning. :)

[hansel]

I was listening to talk radio this morning and a guy called in and was tired of talking about Nam. I really hope that the vets can switch to his 1971 testimony because I think that will have a much greater impact and people will think about that paralled to Iraq, etc.

I really hope that they do switch because otherwise I feel like the impact won't be the same and if they spend too much time on it, the sheeple will tune them out thinking they are repeating themselves.
Also, I think that too much time on the medals without shifting focus is less time talking about his postwar activities which will hurt Kerry more.