Running On A War Record

Question: Why would Kerry choose to run on his war record when by his own words the war he fought in was filled with atrocities and some by his own hand? Just seems to me that he would want to distance himself from it or at least run on the fact that he had the balls to speak out about it and set the record straight.

Yeah im not sure what\'s going on with this. He is losing ground because of this, and it was his campaign that first started talking about it.

I think Kerry is in trouble on the war issue. Hopefully he cant take the lead again through the debates.

I would love to see Kerry take a stronger anti-war stance based on the pointlessness of the Iraq and Vietnam wars, but he won\'t do that as he would chance losing a portion of the moderate vote.

Im not sure what this willa ll result in, but Kerry needs to do something to show that the "War Record" won\'t decide this election.

I think this and the Max Cleland thread could be combined because it deals with the same thing.  

Anyway, Kerry wants it both ways - he wants to be a war hero and at the same time indirectly say he is a war criminal.  I guess he didn\'t think about the ramifications of his accusations back in 1970.

Kerry got a boost in the polls every time he mentioned something about him being a war hero so he beat it into the ground at every opportunity.

"I\'m. John. Kerry. And. I\'m. Reporting. For. Duty." Lamest thing ever.

What is really interesting is the fact that the GOP chose Kerry\'s war record as the main point to harp on. Especially considering the fact that fighting in Vietnam and getting no medals or injuries is still better than being AWOL in Alabama.

Kerry is the one who is harping on his record not the GOP. I am sure that the GOP doesn\'t mind at this point since he is only hurting himself.

Originally posted by GigaShadow
I think this and the Max Cleland thread could be combined because it deals with the same thing.

You might be right. I\'ve never used my mod powers. I guess now might be a good time.

^^^I know. I said that. I was talking about the GOP focusing on his war record instead of finding another talking point.

Kerry got a boost whenever "War Hero" was mentioned so being the douchebag he is he mentioned it every other word. I just thought the GOP would in essence "change the subject".

I agree with BS in that the GOP should have stuck to his post war actoins and not the time he was in Vietnam.  To me his attitude on towards his fellow soldiers is more damning of his character than what may or may not have happened in Vietnam.

It sure is and for most of the swift boat vets, it seems, they\'re doing this more because of that than the actual account of his service.

Well at least bush isnt using his war record as any type of crutch or platform
Helping Bush doge the draft

Why would Kerry choose to run on his war record when by his own words the war he fought in was filled with atrocities and some by his own hand?

Despite what Kerry has said/not said, at least he had the balls to go in the first place. He was a hero (more or less, probably less) for wanting to fight for his country in the first place (vs draft dodging), and being there changed how a lot of  people saw the war.

Its not really a great reference but if youve ever seen the movie "Born on the 4th of July" then you know what im talking about (not that you dont if you havent). I guess its the principle of going and not following protesters, that hes trying to use (appealing to the less liberal crowd). And then i guess using the fact that he saw and participated in these "atrocities" (and calls them that now signifying that he regrets what he did it) as a way to appeal to the liberals.

Its a good plan gone wrong basically.