Former commanding officer retracts criticism of Kerry

[pookastew]

http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2004/08/06/veteran_retracts_criticism_of_kerry

Veteran retracts criticism of Kerry
By Michael Kranish, Globe Staff  |  August 6, 2004

WASHINGTON -- A week after Senator John F. Kerry heralded his wartime experience by surrounding himself at the Democratic convention with his Vietnam ''Band of Brothers," a separate group of veterans has launched a television ad campaign and a book that questions the basis for some of Kerry's combat medals.

But yesterday, a key figure in the anti-Kerry campaign, Kerry's former commanding officer, backed off one of the key contentions. Lieutenant Commander George Elliott said in an interview that he had made a ''terrible mistake" in signing an affidavit that suggests Kerry did not deserve the Silver Star -- one of the main allegations in the book. The affidavit was given to The Boston Globe by the anti-Kerry group to justify assertions in their ad and book.

Elliott is quoted as saying that Kerry ''lied about what occurred in Vietnam . . . for example, in connection with his Silver Star, I was never informed that he had simply shot a wounded, fleeing Viet Cong in the back."

The statement refers to an episode in which Kerry killed a Viet Cong soldier who had been carrying a rocket launcher, part of a chain of events that formed the basis of his Silver Star. Over time, some Kerry critics have questioned whether the soldier posed a danger to Kerry's crew. Crew members have said Kerry's actions saved their lives.

EDITED BY ADMIN: COPYRIGHT

[luaneryder]

1. Hmmmmm

Isn't this the typical MO of the * cabal? They either go ahead with a smear and/or pressure others into it and count on the negative publicity to stick in the publics mind; not any later apology for a "mistake." One thing Elliott is correct on, he's "the one in trouble here." And I'm sure he's not the only one.

[gristy]

2. dupe

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x731904

[asthmaticeog]

3. So what?

The book's still out (or coming out) as is, right? So plenty of people are going to read it and probably not know that this guy has retracted his allegation. He put it out there, and out there it'll stay. Even if he campaigns HARD for Kerry and stays on top of this, he's a very literal flip-flopper now -- NOT the kind of guy John Kerry of all people needs in his corner.

[UTUSN]

4. Well, Well,Well-----------KICK! n/t

[kskiska]

5. Freeps' Response

(snip)

I'm sorry but if this is true, than even I have to question the crediibility of the entire book and ad. We were all eager to jump on board but maybe it was just wishful thinking that some miracle was going to happen to bring Kerry down quickly rather than Bush winning on his own record. I think the swiftvets have been brought down by a switchvet.

10 posted on 08/06/2004 6:57:57 AM PDT by tirednvirginia ((But things are looking up!))
< Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies >
------------------------
To: tirednvirginia

I want my $25 back

11 posted on 08/06/2004 7:01:51 AM PDT by bluecollarman
< Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies >

much more…
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1186235/posts

[Moderator]

6. pookastew

Per DU copyright rules
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DU Moderator

[pookastew]

7. Sorry...

...it was just too delicious to edit.

And sorry also for the dupe: I did look. The old one had gone by.

So anyway, do these guys suck or what? Can you imagine holding a right-wing grudge for 30 years?

Don't these freaking guys ever get LAID????

Sorry.