Posted on 10/10/2004 8:25:29 PM PDT by SmithL
RENO -- Retired Gen. Tommy Franks launched a four-state campaign swing for President Bush by criticizing Sen. John Kerry's anti-Vietnam War activities and voting record on the military.
Franks, former commander of forces in Iraq and Afghanistan, faulted Kerry's votes on major weapons systems and intelligence issues, and against the 1991 Gulf War.
"If his voting record ruled the day, Saddam Hussein would not only be running Iraq but Kuwait," Franks told about 200 people Sunday at a Reno rally.
"The choice is very, very clear. We need decisive, strong, no-backing-down and no-equivocating leadership," he said.
Franks praised the Democratic challenger's military service during the Vietnam War, but said Kerry's later anti-war activities upset him.
"The men I served with in Vietnam weren't war criminals and I'm proud I served with them," Franks said.
(Excerpt) Read more at sfgate.com ...
I'd like to see him speak on MSM or to crowds of thousands-not 200. Hopefully we will!
Did you hear clarke's comments just before he "ran"?
He said that he had called the Republicans and would have been a Republican if they had called him back.
That NUT doesn't know what he is or what he wants, other than power and attention.
You know how it's funny that nobody ever "surveys" the Marines about who they are going to vote for? hehe...
Those 17% in the army that vote for Kerry are just the slackers that signed up because they wanted a free ride through school.
"I am still complely baffled as to WHY anyone who'd served in the military would vote for kerry."
Kerry served in the military. At least some of the VVAW served in the military.
Rangel, McGovern, Rather (I think), McVeigh, Butler(the head of the Aryan Brotherhood who just died recently).
Most of the people above changed into looney's after their service. Kerry was a nut before, during, and especially after.
Military service is no safeguard from idiocy.
I'm not a Marine, but "Semper Fi!"
i.e. - a Clintonian Democrat.
Rather failed MC boot camp as I understand it. He has also failed media honesty exams.
Rather washed outta boot camp, but still claims to be a Marine--LMAO!
[ Geez, it seems as soon as these generals put on civilian clothes they lose their common sense (eg. McPeak, Zinni, etc.). I'm glad Franks has finally made up his mind, but damn, it shouldn't have taken him this long.]p>
One wonders if they had any(common sense) in the first place... Generals live on the government teat and when retired even more so.. Being a general does not make you conservative.. If anything it could make you a socialist.. Socialist american generals(like Clarke) think of themselves.. Comservative american generals think of the country..
I could see someone who entered the military to get a free education rather than to serve their country having this mindset. Can you imagine joining to get an education and ending up nose to nose in war?
Really wish we could replay the Vietnam War as we trully had charlie in bad shape. Thanks to Fonda and Kerry and a biased media the thin skinned threw in the towel, much to our disgrace.
Kerry now wants to vindicate himself by pulling the same crap 32 years later with regards to Iraq.
Always remember that "a leopard doesn't change his spots".
Many of my comrades gave the ultimate to stop communism and I don't agree with you sir, or President Bush that Kerry's limited "action" in Nam reflects credit on himself or the US Navy. He was a fraud then and he's a fraud now.
Just my opinion.
Kahuna,
USAF 1964-1972
Those poll #s are great! Of course, I wonder how Kerry can get even 17-18%, but I guess there are some deluded souls in every human organization.... how can we get this info disseminated in the news media??? Kerry and Edwards portray themselves as sooooo concerned about the troops, but it truly is important and newsworthy that the troops don't return the favor.
Thanks for your service and for your thoughts! I always find Kerry's behavior in the early '70s detestable and unbelievable, not so much opposing the war (which many did then), but all of the lies and idiocies he spewed which helped to trash the entire war effort, US military, and yes the good people of South Vietnam.
Yet, one thing I still wonder about is what SHOULD have been done differently - even 30 years later I never see anyone who can say in detail how that war could have been won (I think it was winnable, but the US leaders certainly lost their way). I'd be very interested in your thoughts on what should have been done instead of the disastrous policies promoted by Kerry and the Democratic Congress.
C'mon, Nevada FREEPers...is it that close in your state??
huynh.........That was a very nice post, appreciated and I am sure it was difficult for you.
Thank you for your post and yes, for many, the pain never stops.
Thanks for the post! Welcome to FR!
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