How does Kerry's piloting a boat in 'Nam make him strong on nat. security?

[rumguy]

I don't get this at all. That was a long time ago. What are his actual plans, are they better than what Edwards is offering?

People are buying into a myth. As if Kerry will suit up and commandeer a boat and go out and round up the tersts like he did in 'Nam...

Edwards has solid plans. That's what is important.

And Clark's experience does qualify him for the "strong on national security" label.

That's why I saw Edwards/Clark in '04!

[NewYorkerfromMass]

1. It shows that he puts his beliefs into action

and has consistently done so his whole life. It makes him more authentic and quantifiable for a lot of folks out there.

[loudnclear]

25. Because the media said so!

Now stop asking!

[creativelcro]

32. It's easy to argue that" it's called revisionist history

Even Bush can claim that...

[polpilot]

33. He believed in the Viet Nam war??

I think he was tricked like he was tricked by Chimpy on the IWR.

Dean '04...

[emulatorloo]

2. www.johnkerry.com

[sangha]

3. It doesn't,, and I haven't heard anyone says it would

I have heard some people say that his military background will convince some people that his NatSec credentials are good, but no one has argued that his military background shows he's good on NatSec

[poopyjr]

4. For one thing, Kerry sort of LOOKS manly.

Plus I bet his campaign will put a bunch of pictures of him in 'Nam out there. His story will become widely known. He is an American hero IMO. The Dukakis comparisons are silly. I think Kerry will win many more white male votes than Gore.

[AP]

5. It's all about symbols, That Kerry put his life on the line for America

is a powerful symbol.

However, what makes him strong on nat'l security is that he's seen the issue from all sides, and has been involved in it as a politician for years.

[arcane1]

6. qualifies him more than going AWOL from the TANG

at least.... the question is what in BUSH's credentials qualify HIM?

[Raya]

7. Wait! Kerry has been on Senate Foreign Affairs Commitee for 18 years.

[Native]

29. Finally, an informed post. Thanks for staunching the flow.

[blm]

8. How about Kerry's 97 book The New War, which alerted on terrorism and its

funding? How about the negotiations that helped transfer power peacefully in the Philippines? Cambodia? Normalization of relations with Vietnam?

His 10 year efforts crafting the Kyoto Protocol with other world leaders?

[rumguy]

11. those are good points...

[bigtree]

24. Some experience

Anti-war hero: Founded Vietnam Veterans Against the War and was the chief veteran to testify before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, at age 27.

· As U.S. senator, he served for 18 years on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, including investigating the Iran-Contra and BCCI scandals, and chairing the Senate Select Committee on POW/MIA Affairs, which opened full diplomatic relations between the U.S. and Vietnam. Ranking Democrat on the East Asian and Pacific Affairs Subcommittee and chairman of the Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Terrorism, Narcotics and International Operations.

· Wrote The New War (1997) on national security issues of the 21st century and unjust wars, and has made numerous trips over the past 20 years to discuss international issues with world leaders, including at the United Nations and in the Middle East.

[MoonRiver]

9. Image is everything.

I hope Clark wins the nomination, but if Kerry does and his Vietnam experience helps him beat *, more power to him!

[poopyjr]

10. I can hear Kerry in the debates with Bush: "When I was in Vietnam...."

It will be awesome.

[killbotfactory]

12. It doesn't

But if other people think it does, that's all that matters.

[lastknowngood]

13. He was also anti Vietnam war after he came back

I know a lot of Viet vets who are extremely angry to this day at anyone who opposed that damn war. I have heard them call Kerry the T word for "turning against the troops in the field". Not my words but believe their a lot of them out there.

[NewYorkerfromMass]

16. he never "turned against the troops in the field" that is false

No one of conscience would ever do that. In fact, most knew that the protestors back home were doing it for them.

[sandnsea]

14. Do you think Kerry has no plans???

I mean, that's the implication. He's just running around talking about Vietnam and has never said a word about what he's going to do. Please take the time to read some of this, especially the speeches. Vietnam doesn't have anything to do with the man's intelligence, vision, character, just pure ability to do the job. Well, Vietnam does have to do with it, but that's for people to figure out I guess.

Foreign Policy
http://johnkerry.com/issues/foreignpolicy/

Iraq Plan
http://johnkerry.com/issues/iraq/

Most Important:
CFR Speech
http://johnkerry.com/pressroom/speeches/spc_2003_1203.html

More Speeches:
http://johnkerry.com/pressroom/speeches/index.html

[rumguy]

19. thanks, those are good ideas, and others have plans just as good, if

not better...IMO

[blm]

20. Gary Hart disagrees with you.

The Hart-Rudman report ring a bell?

Joe Wilson ring a bell?

[rumguy]

23. explain

[blm]

35. What's to explain?

The Hart-Rudman report on terrorism that was worked on for 2 1/2 years and handed over to Bush in Jan.2001 doesn't ring a bell with you?

Joe Wilson, who blew the whistle on the bad intel on Iraq and his CIA agent wife was outed by WH, doesn't ring a bell?

They endorsed Kerry and are on his team.

[bearfartinthewoods]

15. it's the whole deal of resume

crazy ain't it?

[jpgpenn]

17. It doesnt, Kerry will use personal moments for political gain!

This is very much a character issue with me. If someone is capable of things like this, just imagine what else they would do when things got worse!

[poopyjr]

18. Are you new to politics? <nm>

[Name removed]

21. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[WiseMen]

22. Ridiculous post. Factually off base and rather pointless. Google!

You will find that Kerry is noted authority on National Security Issues.

[Exgeneral]

26. really?

Did he run a NATO command too?

[OneBlueSky]

27. it doesn't . . . but . . .

19 years on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee just might . . .

[DoNotRefill]

28. Because he's actually killed people...

I guess....

[polpilot]

34. Remove this post!! You KNOW if Kerry could go back in time he would

not have killed people in a crazy war like Vietnam. He was young then and can't be held accountable. He was doing what he thought he should do. Now he's grown and knows he participated in an unjust war. Give him a break. He's CERTAINLY not proud of that time in his life.

Dean '04...

[Hippo_Tron]

30. Kerry has fought in war therefore he understands the consequences...

Not that I believe a president HAS to be have had military service. My main criticism of Bush's foreign policy is not that he's never served but that his top two people in the defense department have never served, either.

[WhoCountsTheVotes]

31. He'll bring a cameraman along to film him fighting the terrorists

For his re-election commercials? :eyes: