Kerry Medal Controversy: More Waffles
From ABC NewsContradicting his statements as a candidate for president, Sen. John Kerry claimed in a 1971 television interview that he threw away as many as nine of his combat medals to protest the war in Vietnam.
"I gave back, I can't remember, six, seven, eight, nine medals," Kerry said in an interview on a Washington, D.C., news program on WRC-TV called Viewpoints on Nov. 6, 1971, according to a tape obtained by ABCNEWS.
Throughout his presidential campaign, Kerry has denied that he threw away any of his medals during an anti-war protest in April 1971.
Calling it a "phony controversy" instigated by the Republican party, Kerry said on Good Morning America today that he has always accurately said what took place. "I threw my ribbons. I didn't have my medals. It is very simple."
But Kerry told a much different story on Viewpoints. Asked about the anti-war veterans who threw their medals away, Kerry said "they decided to give them back to their country."
Kerry was asked if he gave back the Bronze Star, Silver Star and three Purple Hearts he was awarded for combat duty as a Navy lieutenant in Vietnam. "Well, and above that, [I] gave back the others," he said.
The statement directly contradicts Kerry's most recent claims on the disputed subject to the Los Angeles Times last Friday. "I never ever implied that I did it, " Kerry told the newspaper, responding to the question of whether he threw away his medals in protest.
"I'm proud of my medals. I always was proud of them," he told Jennings in December, adding that he had only thrown away his "ribbons" and the medals of two other veterans who could not attend the protest.
Mark's Remarks
OK, Johnny Boy, which is it? Really, this doubletalk pandering you call nuancing is getting old!This man has no core. Back in 1971, when it was hip to be a rebel throwing away medals, he said he did it. Now, years later, when it looks bad, nope, I didn't throw 'em away....then he changes the reasons for why he didn't throw the Medals away....it was either 'I was proud of them' or ' they were in New York and I couldn't drive back to get them'.....
This guy is spineless, and he is a panderer. Either he betrayed his fellow protesters by telling them he threw away his medals when he did not, or he betrayed his own integrity by claiming medals he threw were his when they were not. Which is it?
We cannot trust this guy to get his own story straight. How can we expect him to run a country?
Matt's Chat
Personally, I don't think this is an "issue" worth spending a whole lot of time on... Let me be direct: I appreciate Kerry's service to his country when he was in Vietnam. I loath his disservice when he returned. I really could care less if he threw his medals, ribbons, or somebody elses. I just don't.On the other hand, Kerry seems to make a lot out of his service in Vietnam. I really don't think Kerry's performance thirty years ago has any bearing on this campaign. Nor do I believe his performance in Vietnam has any bearing on the issues. His political career does.
Kerry, since returning from Vietnam, has been a leftist, anti-war, anti-military hack. I'd rather spend my time exposing Kerry's Senate record. But we can't really do that because Terry McAwful and Kerry's cronies seem to think that is attacking Kerry's patriotism. Whatever...I would think smearing the President with false allegations of desertion and AWOL would be more akin to attacks on patriotism.
Note to Democrats: caveat emptor. Let the buyer beware. You folks had the opportunity to put up several guys who had a better chance and you blew it. Not that I mind much...
