Clark defends Kerry’s record, slams Bush

The Boston GLobe ^ | August 29, 2004 | Glen Johnson

[Cincinatus' Wife]

TACOMA -- Wesley K. Clark yesterday hammered President Bush as ''incompetent" and ''indecisive," as he kicked off a raucous outdoor rally for John F. Kerry before the Democratic presidential nominee ceded the political spotlight for the Republican National Convention this week.

.....''Where was George Bush when young men from Arkansas and Texas and Massachusetts were called to serve their country and went to Vietnam?" Clark shouted as Kerry stood next to him before thousands gathered in a parking lot outside the Tacoma Dome. ''Where was George Bush? He wasn't there. I think it's outrageous that the president of the United States can question the medals and the service and the valor of American veterans who have served."

....While Kerry refused to speak to reporters last week, ostensibly because his staff did not want him to perpetuate the story, he has raised the issue every day in one form or another as polls indicate voters beginning to blame Bush for the attacks.

Yesterday's speech by Clark, who departed the stage and left the rally immediately after his remarks, guaranteed more coverage as the Republicans convened for their quadrennial convention in New York and Kerry left for a working vacation on Nantucket.

Kerry was then introduced by Jim Rassmann, the former Army Green Beret he rescued during one of the battles now questioned by the anti-Kerry veterans.

Afterward, Kerry spokesman David Wade said of Clark: ''Obviously, he's very angry about these attacks. He does not speak for us, though.".....

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Kerry citation a 'total mystery' to ex-Navy chief (John Lehman)***Former Navy Secretary John Lehman has no idea where a Silver Star citation displayed on Democratic presidential nominee John Kerry's campaign Web site came from, he said Friday. The citation appears over Lehman's signature.

"It is a total mystery to me. I never saw it. I never signed it. I never approved it. And the additional language it contains was not written by me," he said.

The additional language varied from the two previous citations, signed first by Adm. Elmo Zumwalt and then Adm. John Hyland, which themselves differ. The new material added in the Lehman citation reads in part: "By his brave actions, bold initiative, and unwavering devotion to duty, Lieutenant (jg) Kerry reflected great credit upon himself...." ***

'V' for valor or Kerry's version?*** ....On Friday, the Chicago Sun-Times ran a similar story by Thomas Lipscomb, who spoke to B.G. Burkett, author of "Stolen Valor" and recipient of the Army's highest award given to a civilian, the Distinguished Civilian Service Award. For his book, Mr. Burkett had to read thousands of military records to uncover phony claims of awards. "I've run across several claims for Silver Stars with combat 'V's, but they were all in fake records," he told Mr. Lipscomb.

Mr. and Mrs. Holzer bring up another interesting point. Over at JohnKerry.com, the Navy citation for Mr. Kerry's Silver Star does not mention the combat "V". It appears, then, that the Navy didn't mistakingly grant a "V" with Mr. Kerry's Silver Star. So, how did it get into Mr. Kerry's DD 214? ....***

KERRY'S WAR VS. KERRY (Silver Star)***Former Navy Secretary John Lehman denied at week's end having written the Silver Star citation that appears on John Kerry's campaign Web site over Lehman's signature, dealing the Democrat's presidential campaign another stunning blow.

Which makes us wonder: Does Kerry still believe that running on his Vietnam will gain him the White House?

Kerry's Silver Star is the most prestigious of his Vietnam decorations - it's the nation's third-highest for combat valor - but there are at least three official versions of how he earned it.***

Retired rear admiral contends Kerry wound not from enemy fire***WASHINGTON -- William L. Schachte Jr., a retired rear admiral, yesterday said he was on the same small boat as Democratic presidential candidate John F. Kerry during a 1968 river mission in Vietnam but did not witness any enemy fire during the event for which Kerry received his first Purple Heart. ***

[walangkatapat]

Ticket puncher: A career military officer or businessperson whose primary concern is personal advancement.

[dennisw]

Any good Kerry did in Vietnam was undone 20 times over by his back stabbing anti war activities after he got his butt out of Vietnam.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

George W. Bush, during his Texas Air National Guard service.

President George W. Bush, accompanied by West Virginia Adjutant General, Army Maj. Gen. Allen Tackett, shakes hands with a West Virginia Army National Guard soldier Feb. 14 at Yeager Air National Guard Airfield, Charleston, W. Va. Photo by Gerry J. Gilmore

The Facts about Bush and the National Guard - The Democratic charges fall apart.***Lost amid all the charges are the facts about Bush's time in the Guard. When did he serve? What did he do? Did he fulfill his responsibilities? Was he in Alabama? In the March 8, 2004, issue of National Review, Byron York investigated and found the answers. ***

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Bump!

[FesterUSMC]

Bush don't attack Kerry's record, but we can attack yours! WTF is this all about? i think the republicans should use the convention to nail Kerry! make jokes about Cambodia and stuff, have someone fall down and say, no thats just a scratch that don't deserve a purple heart... i think it could be effective ... if they can be volatile why cant we?

[VisualizeSmallerGovernment]

If the Pubs did it your way, the Dems would really have a cow. "How DARE they? After we had a POSITIVE convention that NEVER attacked ANYONE personally!"

What I'd love to see is zero attacks by anyone other than Zell Miller, who completely launches into it. The popping sound you hear will be Chris Matthews' head exploding.

[UnbelievingScumOnTheOtherSide]

Mentioning Arkansas cuts both ways. How many people think "Clark" versus how many think "Clinton"? Still tone deaf Wesley Clark.

[VisualizeSmallerGovernment]

One subtle difference: At the Democrat convention, the villain was George W. Bush. At the Republican convention, the villain will be Osama Bin Laden.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Bush has made it clear he didn't bring up Kerry's service.

For now, he should be presidential and state his goals for the next four years.

The Swift Boat Vets for Truth will continue their campaign against Kerry's presidential aspirations and his attempt to assume the mantle of Commander in Chief.

And we'll be supporting both.

[onyx]

Soooooooooooooooo, pray tell,
when was Weasley Clark on a Swift boat?

Oh, I know.
Dry docked, in Cambodia, Christmas '68.

[VisualizeSmallerGovernment]

You're right. I didn't even notice when he was talking about Arkansas, he was talking about himself. The ONLY thing that popped in my head was Bill Clinton.

[JLS]

Does Rear Admiral William L. Schachte Jr. weighing in take one more out of the unknown or no comment category and place him in the not supporting category in that infamous picture Kerry used of the Swift Boat officers where only two or so actually supported him?

[Ros42]

Is there going to be an inquiry as to how Lehman's signature got on Kerry's citation, or have they said anything about it yet?

[Cincinatus' Wife]

when was Weasley Clark on a Swift boat?

I guess he was there with Kerry's sister, Diana.

In defense of my brother John *** I watched my brother put his life on the line in service to our country***

Frère Jacques,
Frère Jacques,
Dormez-vous?
Dormez-vous?
Sonnez les matines,
Sonnez les matines,
Ding, dang, dong!
Ding, dang, dong!

[BigSkyFreeper]

[onyx]

Perfect post.
Gawd he's gawd awful.
AND quite the liar himself.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Is there going to be an inquiry as to how Lehman's signature got on Kerry's citation, or have they said anything about it yet?

I haven't seen anything yet.

Our cable (internet and tv) was out all day yesterday. Around 9AM a truck snagged some overhead lines and dragged them for a mile. We didn't get service back until late last night.

[river rat]

So, I'm supposed to believe Clark --- an officer described by his superior officer as being a man "without integrity".....

I'm supposed to believe Clark, that perfumed General of the Clinton era --- and NOT believe the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth! I thought that unless one was on Kerry's boat - one couldn't comment on his service or truthfulness in describing the "action".....

Sorry, no dice..... Clark is a Clinton sock puppet with NO CHARACTER... A vote for Kerry, might get us Clark as Sec. of Defense.....Feature that!!!

Clark remains an embarrassment to the Officer Corps....

Semper Fi

[BigSkyFreeper]

I had hoped Clark would open his yapper with some whoppers. For a long time I've been wanting to use both those pictures again.