On the other hand, every day Kerry wastes time and money trying to defend his military record from real, substantial attacks is another day he spends off-balance and out-of-focus, leaving Bush to sprint even further ahead.
However, the attacks have to be based on real and substantial evidence, otherwise there is a real risk of a backlash against Bush. The Rathergate scam proves that.
I am a retired military officer and I have extensive experience in official record keeping, awards and decorations, and involuntary discharge proceedings. My professional opinion is that there is indeed damaging information in Kerry's official records that have not been released.
About two weeks ago,I wrote about my suspicions within the context of the Silver Star multiple citations. The cursory Navy IG inquiry did nothing to eliminate my suspicions, for it is entirely possible that Kerry's Silver Star was revoked and later reinstated. As long as the revocation and reinstatement were done according to the book, the IG's conclusion that proper procedures were followed would be technically correct but completely misleading. I would have to see the entire file to eliminate the doubts.
It is certainly possible that Kerry was involuntarily discharged, but unlike a Silver Star revocation, it would be very difficult to keep an involuntary discharge hidden. By its nature it would have required the hands-on efforts of dozens of people from a legal clerk through every level of commanding officer. Although the records themselves might be privileged from discovery without Kerry's consent, the fact that he was discharged involuntarily would not necessarily be protected from disclosure.
A suggestion: track down Kerry's chain of command during the times in question and contact his commanders. They should all be retired by now. If he was discharged involuntarly his package was signed off on by his entire chain of command up to the general court-martial convening authority level and likely higher (SECNAV). His former commanders know the score. Ask them.
I just don't want to see our side beat a dead horse til it annoys people. I think the damage is pretty well done to Kerry at this point. We're gonna kick his ass even worse on the substantive issue of Iraq. Let's move on. People can keep investigating if they like, but in 42 days or so it'll be moot, and then I hope we never hear about it again. I understand the argument of not letting up. I am not saying let up on Kerry. I am saying, especially in light of Rathergate, we mopped the floor with him on the issue of past military record. Now let's crush him on Iraq; he's begging for it. The president had a great line today about Kerry favoring the security of dictatorship.