Posted on 08/31/2004 8:26:10 AM PDT by areafiftyone
A GOP delegate handed out bandages with purple hearts on them Monday night at the Republican National Convention in a swipe at Democratic nominee John Kerry (news - web sites)'s war record, but national GOP officials have asked him to stop.
The bandages were handed out by Morton Blackwell, a longtime GOP activist from Virginia, with the message: "It was just a self-inflicted scratch, but you see I got a Purple Heart for it."
Kerry won three Purple Hearts, a Silver Star and a bronze star for his service in the Vietnam War. A group calling itself Swift Boat Veterans for Truth has been attacking Kerry as a liar through campaign ads and media interviews, but Kerry's wartime experiences have been backed by crewmates and official records.
"It is inexcusable for a delegate to mock anyone who has ever put on a soldier's uniform," said Democratic Chairman Terry McAuliffe. "It is inexcusable to mock service and sacrifice."
Blackwell, who gave out almost 250 of the bandages, said Vietnam veterans have every right to be angry about anti-war comments Kerry made after returning to this country.
GOP Chairman Ed Gillespie spoke to Blackwell and they agreed that he would not distribute the bandages Tuesday night," said Republican spokesman Jim Dyke. "This was not a party activity, but he was acting as an individual."
The DU'ers are apoplectic about this, near hysteria.
I've got to agree with Gillispe on this one.
If momentum is moving your way this kind of stunt can backfire quickly.
Oh so its okay to look at some of the signs in the protests? They were downright disgusting to our president!
What are the DU's saying about the bandaids? Its not like they know anyone outside Kerry, a guy who faked it, who has served in the military.
BTTT
Right. Right. Smearing and personal attacks are more your speed, eh, Mr. McAwful?!
"they had personally raped, cut off ears, cut off heads, taped wires from portable telephones to human genitals and turned up the power, cut off limbs, blown up bodies, randomly shot at civilians, razed villages in fashion reminiscent of Genghis Khan, shot cattle and dogs for fun, poisoned food stocks, and generally ravaged the countryside of South Vietnam."
I personally don't like this stunt done at the convention either. It makes us look bad!
Exactly. When McAwful starts complaining about the rhetoric and horrid displays occuring outside MSG, then I'll worry about those bandaids.
Are we certain the person handing out the bandaids was a delegate? The bandaids are produced in Stoughton, Massachusetts by a company whose directors have donated to the Democrats!
Gee, Terry, you mean like calling National Guard service draft-dodging? Inexcusable? Yes, you are.
They just sent the article to Mike Malloy - Does anybody even listen or watch Mike Malloy except DUers?
Personally, I think the delegates should refrain from this kind of display at least while they are on the convention floor. This just gives the Democrats some ammunition....and the media is lapping it up too! It isn't just the lady wearing the purple heart bandaid....now it's a Republican delgate "mocking decorated veterans everywhere". I am sure that a lot of vets will understand and agree that Kerry is a weiner, but it just doesn't look right.
I think this is the dumbest thing I've seen Republicans do. I would hope we were above this retarded crap. We are kicking Kerri's ass on the issues and immature antics like this, I thought would be reserved for the idiot left.
What else have they got?
I think it's funny.
They are taking their talking points and marching orders from McAuwful and parroting his comments with feigned indignation.
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