Dean's draft deferment stirs debate (old article, but good)

The Seattle Times ^ | Sunday, November 23, 2003

[Eagle of Liberty]

The former Vermont governor was excused from the draft in 1970 when X-rays showed he had a bad back, although Dean said in an interview that he "probably" could have served, The New York Times reported yesterday.

Two other candidates for the Democratic presidential nomination — John Kerry, D-Mass., and retired Gen. Wesley Clark — fought and were wounded and decorated for service in Vietnam.

The two declined to criticize Dean for his draft deferment, which was approved by the Selective Service. But a Clark spokesman said Clark's years of military service and term as supreme allied commander of NATO would make him a much stronger opponent for Bush. "That's all relevant to our ability to take on and beat George Bush," said Matt Bennett, Clark's communications director.

[Eagle of Liberty]

What a wonderful article. All of the useful idiots with great comments. Kerry calls Rush a draft dodger, but doesn't criticize Dean. CBS goes after Bush's AWOL documents but won't dig deeper into Dean's past of skiing after getting a deferment. Cleland even came out and criticized Dean for his deferment.

So what will the DUmmies say after they acknowledge that their beloved is not a Decorated Combat Veteran, but a wussy, wittle wimp who avoided serving his country then and wants his country to lose now? How can they come back out and say that Bush did not serve his full time when their Party Chair DID NOT SERVE?

[weegee]

The two declined to criticize Dean for his draft deferment, which was approved by the Selective Service.

Didn't stop Kerry from criticizing George W. Bush's service.

Also didn't stop Kerry from appearing with this draft dodger who "loathed" the military:

[kellynla]

The whole Democrat party is full of traitors and draft dodgers.
Except for Zell Miller & George Putnam(God Bless him), I can't think of another Democrat who served and supports the war.

[Bob]

Also didn't stop Kerry from appearing with this draft dodger who "loathed" the military:

They both loathe the military. The one on the left happens to have served.

[Brilliant]

Kerry has better hair, too.

[Adiemus]

... I can't think of another Democrat who served and supports the war.

Did Liberman serve? I've never heard one way or the other.

[Brad from Tennessee]

I believe when you compile all the training Bush had to go through to become qualified as a fighter pilot, he may have as much active duty time as Kerry, who pulled every string he could to leave Vietnam and active service.

[proud_yank]

John Kerry, D-Mass., and retired Gen. Wesley Clark — fought and were wounded and decorated for service in Vietnam.

John Kerry was a decorated hero in Vietnam? When did that happen??? /heavy sarcasm.

Howard Dean spent a winter or two ski-bumming in Aspen on his bad back/knees, whatever. That guy is a chonce.