The facts as I understand them are these:
1. Reeves developed a systemic infection from a bedsore that grew progressively worse over the period of a week, until he lapsed into a coma sometime on Saturday. I have not seen information identifying precisely when he was admitted to the hospital, but when he was admitted, he had already slipped into a coma.
2. Kerry claimed in a speech that he had received a phone call from Reeves on Saturday, congratulating him on raising the stem cell research issue in the debate Friday.
3. The call was voice, not text message. Kerry spoke about the emotion he heard in Reeve's voice.
4. I have subsequently seen it claimed that Kerry did not speak live with Reeve, but listened to a voice message left on an answering machine. That seems very plausible.
5. If Reeve left a voice message, he could easily have done so Friday night, right after the debate, and Kerry might well not have heard it until Saturday.
6. So, as of now, there is no "smoking gun" evidence proving that Kerry is lying.
good analysis.
the real story here is that Kerry was tipped as to this guys impending death, so he could put a stake in the ground and drop his name at the debate - knowing he would likely die shortly, and he could get some media attention from it.
Far better is Edwards claim that Kerry's going to make him walk.
I would tend to go along with your facts as outlined and give him the benefit of the doubt on this one. (In other words it was an old message he picked up on Saturday).
I think what is more telling is HERE WE GO AGAIN. Kerry says something totally off the wall and days are spent by spinners trying to explain what he really said or really meant .....Now WHO pray tell does THAT remind you of???
" Reeves developed a systemic infection from a bedsore that grew progressively worse over the period of a week, "
Generally, when patients go into septic shock, the symptoms start appearing before the final crisis.
The toxins from the bacteria overwhelm the weakened immune system over a period, affecting the major organs.
The kidneys start to shut down, the lungs fill with fluid, cardiac output decreases, blood pressure drops and mental confusion may be present prior to coma and death.
While not impossible, I would be surprised if a debilitated patient in the throes of septic shock would have the mental and physical capabilities to make a lengthy and coherent phone call just hours before their death.