When I was in the 6th grade in addition to Latin we had an english class where we drilled extensively on writing precis summaries. Although it refers to writing,this is an excellent description of how Kerry should have been articulating his positions. In all likeliehood he is incapable of doing these rules:
http://academic.evergreen.edu/curricular/eduvalues/precis.htm
Tips for Writing a Précis
by Constance DeVereaux
A well-written précis should be a serviceable substitute for the original work. The goal is to preserve the core essence of the work in a manner that is both clear and concise. At a minimum, the précis should include the topic or main thesis, the purpose of the research, what was studied, what methods were used, what results (or insight) were gained, and a conclusion. This guide provides tips and includes links to two sample papers, one on fetal protection policies and the other on James L. Sundquist and constitutional reform.
Goals of the Précis
Compress and clarify a lengthy passage, article, or book, while retaining important concepts, key words, and important data.
Remove what is superfluous and retain the core essence of the work.
Give a brief description of key terms
Give a brief description of methods an idea of the general approach used by the researchers.
State the purpose of the research or piece of writing (why was it important to conduct this research or write on this topic?)
When finished, the précis should clearly state:
This is what was studied (argued, discussed).
This is how it was done (this was the focus).
This is what was learned.
This is what it means (why it is important).
Ignoring everything else about Kerry, his explanations (flip-flops) ignore the facts of justification/prelude, prosecution and aftermath to war. He was 'with' the president on the justification but today says the president mislead (lied) on WMDs; Saddam was not a threat, which, when argued with the outcome sounds ridiculous; he claims advisers were 'fired' for opposing points of view; he claims flip-flops on saying that the UN would not be involved, then was; and so on.
For prosecution, he claims that events that developed on the ground should have somehow been divined, the fierce republican guard cutting and running, namely the foreign fighter terrorist magnet that developed in the sunni triangle, what he claims is a illegitimate Prime Minister and interim government; and the impossibility of elections in January.
I cannot see how all of this can be distilled to a rational message.