Kerry Pledges Military Record Release

NewsMax ^ | February 1,2005 | Carl Limbacher

[Kaslin]

Three months after he lost his presidential bid, Sen. John Kerry has finally agreed to a full release of his military records, after being cornered on the issue Sunday by "Meet the Press" host Tim Russert.

Appearing on the same show last April, Kerry insisted all his military records were already in the public domain, telling Russert, "I've shown them - they're available to you to come and look at."

But in August the Washington Post reported:

"Although Kerry campaign officials insist that they have published Kerry's full military records on their Web site (with the exception of medical records shown briefly to reporters earlier this year), they have not permitted independent access to his original Navy records.

"A Freedom of Information Act request by The Post for Kerry's records produced six pages of information. A spokesman for the Navy Personnel Command, Mike McClellan, said he was not authorized to release the full file, which consists of at least a hundred pages."

On Sunday Kerry attempted to explain the discrepancy, telling Russert, "We put all the records out that I had been sent by the military."

"Then at the last moment, they sent some more stuff, which had some things that weren’t even relevant to the record. So when we get - I’m going to sit down with them and make sure that they are clear and I am clear as to what is in the record and what isn’t in the record and we’ll put it out. I have no problem with that."

When Russert pressed Kerry, "Would you sign Form 180?" - authorizing the Pentagon to release of his full file, Kerry at first tried to dodge the question.

But after he was asked about Form 180 for the third time, the top Democrat finally relented, telling the "Meet the Press" host, "Yes, I will."

Kerry then added a bizarre demand of his own, saying that the Swiftboat Veterans for Truth, the group of Vietnam veterans who led the questioning of his military record, should also sign Form 180:

"I'd call on those who have challenged me, let's see their records," he said. "I want to see the records of each of those people who have put up a challenge, because some of them have some serious questions in them, and it hasn't been appropriate."

[TomGuy]

Russert has a lot of credibility with the MSM. I think he'll have to sign it. I mean, they'll take it personally if he tries to weasel out of it.

Kerry said on Russert's program in his late spring/early summer (2004) full-hour interview that he would release all the documents. Russert pushed the question, and Kerry said 'all the docs he had received were on his website'.

[Note that he used similar phraseology in this most recent interview. Nuancing. Kerry makes it sound as if he has released all documents-----but he has to add the qualifier 'that he had received'. Kerry does not say he requested ALL the documents; only that all the documents he received have been released.

Kerry is playing word games, just like he was in that late spring MTP interview. No MSM held his feet to the fire to sign 180 before the '04 election, so why would any MSM do so after the '04 election? They won't, unless Hillary issues the order to sink Kerry in '08. Of course, as long as the MSM are semi-chasing Kerry, they won't be scrutinizing Hillary---so she may not give the order until late spring, 2008.

[Phrostie]

"I'd call on those who have challenged me, let's see their records," he said. "I want to see the records of each of those people who have put up a challenge, because some of them have some serious questions in them, and it hasn't been appropriate."

I agree with you Senator, when they run for president we should see their records. But since you were unwilling to sign 180, what standing do you have to insist that others do so? Senator, your hyprocisy is showing.

[Condor51]

"...the thought came to mind of Kerry as a WR coming across the middle and me playing Strong Safety...."

Oh you mean like this guy.....

Doug Plank, #46, Chicago Bears

Doug Plank put the fear of God in more WR's than Jesus. (no offense God)
He played when 'spearing' was legal and was THE 46 in the 46 Defense.

[Arrowhead1952]

You have probably seen this before, but here it is again.

I'll believe it when I see it ping....

[cajungirl]

LOL!

The part about the Khmer Rouge was the one that jumped out at me. He was running arms to the enemy by his account.

And the "I will show mine when they show theirs" reminded me of an encounter with a fellow four year old boy who tried to get me to play doctor with him.

[RockinRight]

So NOW he will give them to us?

[Max in Utah]

What ever happened to Kerry's book, "The New Soldier"?
I can't find a copy of it anywhere?

THE NEW SOLDIER

[Soaring Feather]

BUMP

[Holicheese]

I was really confused by that statement also. I think Tim Russert was as well but decided to just move on.
I thought it was seared in his memory but I guess not seared that deep.
Sometimes it sounds like he is mixing up the time he took the jungle boat ride at Disney and his months in Nam.
"After the VietCong attacked, a giant hippo stuck its head out of the water. I shot at it and we were saved! Then we bought frozen bananas by the Swiss Family Robinson tree house!"

[leftcoaster]

SEN. KERRY: We delivered weapons to the Khmer Rouge on the coastline of Cambodia.

Is this an exact quote from the program? I thought his previous reference to encountering the Khmer Rouge had been proven false as they had not yet been formed until several months after his departure from SE Asia. If that is indeed the case, he has once again stated a lie that is easily proven false.

[mtntop3]

If Russert had some hair on his Wilsons he would have had a form 180 in the studio ready to be signed.

Russert is a good man - and his own man. His questions to Kerry went to the crux of the matter, and were as hard and persistent as they could be without Russert, himself, becoming an advocate.

Russert did not allow himself to be deflected by Kerry's brava sierra: he pressed until Kerry finally had to make a definitive answer on the Form 180 - something Kerry has not been forced to do until now.

Kerry almost surely will not sign a 180 - but he has now stated publicly that he will. Do not minimize this. You can be damn sure that Kerry is very unhappy over stating for the record that he will sign.

As far as Russert possibly bringing out a Form 180 to have Kerry sign on the spot:

That would 1) be improper for a newsman of Russert's stature and demonstrated fairness to do because it would make him an outright advocate and 2) the Form 180 takes some time to fill out and requires such information as the exact dates of military service, etc., etc.

To view a sample Form 180, simply do a search using it as the subject. It is a commonly-used form by vets that is readily available for download.

[Nuzcruizer]

"I'd call on those who have challenged me, let's see their records," he said. "I want to see the records of each of those people who have put up a challenge, because some of them have some serious questions in them, and it hasn't been appropriate."

How would he know if some of them had serious questions in them, unless some RAT working in records ws doing some unauthorized and highly ILLEGAL snooping?

Besides, It doesn't matter what others did. What matters is how Kerry LIED, and made false reports to obtain 3 purple hearts and other undeserved medals in order to desert-like a COWARD- the navy.

Christmas in Cambodia. Kerry said that he was being shot at by Cambodians celebrating Christmas. Cambodians do not celebrate Christmas, they are BUDDIST!!!! Of course, this is seared, SEARED!!! into his memory.

[MississippiMan]

A good theory and almost certainly correct.

MM

[wildbill]

When I heard Kerry say that, the image popped into my mind of how Lucy always takes the football away from Charlie Brown--after promising she won't.

[wildbill]

Another lie 'seared' in his memory? As far as anyone who has studied the VietNam war knows, the United States NEVER supported the Khmer Rouge with clandestine arms deliveries.

They were a Communist faction that was opposed to the US and all western culture. Remember "The Killing Fields"???

[ORECON]

Keep in mind that signing an SF-180 does not mean the public has access to the records, only the designated person or entity on the form. If pushed on this, he will release a few pages of medical information and say he signed an SF-180. He will them say, "See, I told you the Swift Boat Veterans were lying." I will be taking bets.

[lilmsdangrus]

btt

[Kaslin]

If Russert had some hair on his Wilsons he would have had a form 180 in the studio ready to be signed.

Teh way I understand Russert had the form, but never gave it to him. And like you said If Russert had some hair

[mtntop3]

Keep in mind that signing an SF-180 does not mean the public has access to the records, only the designated person or entity on the form.

Kerry would of political necessity have to see to it that his SF-180 effectively makes ALL records available to the public - at least through agreed-upon representatives of that public such as specified news mediums.

Otherwise, it would be a meaningless gesture. And this would be immediately pointed out.

Actually, it wouldn't be meaningless since it would indicate a clear intent to selectively withhold information.

[Frumious Bandersnatch]

Call me sceptical, but I believe that he won't can't and shan't do it.