Kerry Counterpunches on Who's Fit to Serve

[papau]

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-kerry3sep03.story
THE REPUBLICAN CONVENTION
Kerry Counterpunches on Who's Fit to Serve
By Matea Gold and Nick Anderson
Times Staff Writers

September 3, 2004

SPRINGFIELD, Ohio — After suffering bruising attacks on his national security credentials, Sen. John F. Kerry slammed back at his Republican critics late Thursday night by accusing them of ducking their own military service and misleading the country into war with Iraq.

In a biting and personal rebuttal to criticisms leveled at him during the Republican convention, the Democratic presidential nominee singled out Vice President Dick Cheney for seeking five deferments during the Vietnam War.

"For the past week, they have attacked my patriotism and even my fitness to serve as commander in chief," Kerry told thousands of supporters at a moonlit rally in this southwestern Ohio town. "Well, here's my answer to them. I will not have my commitment to defend this country questioned by those who refused to serve when they could have and who have misled America into Iraq.

"The vice president called me unfit for office last night," he added, referring to Cheney's convention speech. "Well, I'm going to leave it up to the voters to decide whether five deferments makes someone more qualified than two tours of duty."<snip>