It has become part of liberal mythology; the tale of how in April of 1971 young John Kerry, called before the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs on short notice to represent the Vietnam Veterans Against the War during their protest in Washington, improvised a powerful speech denouncing America's war in Vietnam that stunned and impressed the Senators, and the nation. According to the Kerry campaign's web site: "By the time Senator Kerry returned home from Vietnam, he felt compelled to question decisions he believed were being made to protect those in positions of authority in Washington at the expense of...