A serious question: WHAT are John Kerry's national security credentials?

[krkaufman]

Ok, to preface my question, I'm a Clark supporter. But I am also a Democrat who is concerned about our putting the best candidate forward. Working from *MY* assumption that squelching the "weak on defense & national security" argument is a large component of the "electability" issue....

What, specifically, are John Kerry's military and national security credentials?

Here's a start:

• 4-years active duty in the Navy, as a Lieutenant
  
• Serving in Vietnam, Lieutenant Kerry earned three Purple Hearts, a Bronze Star and a Silver Star commanding what were known as swift boats, patrolling the rivers of the Mekong Delta;
  
• Currently serving on US Senate Committee on Foreign Relations
  
  • Ranking member of Sub-Committee on East Asian and Pacific Affairs
    
  • Sub-Committee on European Affairs (member)
    
  • Sub-Committee on Western Hemisphere, Peace Corps & Narcotics Affairs (member)
    
  
  

I checked the US Senate Select Committee on Intelligence website, but he's not a member. Was he in the past?

Is there some other committee(s) on which he is currently serving or has served in the past?

What else am I missing, now or in the past?

Thanks for your help on this...!


EDIT: Just the facts, Maam! (And related info, of course. I'd like to keep the thread lean.)

[Jim Sagle]

1. He has a really long, noble and serious face.

[DuctapeFatwa]

2. He can be trusted to implement current US foreign policy

and impose America's will on its properties around the globe.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

3. 18 years foreign relations, 6 years senate intelligence

[krkaufman]

4. Got links and year ranges?

Thanks for the feedback.

Where can I confirm this info, and get more on his duties during the relevant periods?

[rumguy]

5. he piloted a boat in 'Nam

if things really get tough he can go and commandeer another one and save us from the tersts

[La_Serpiente]

6. I mean, he only wrote a book in 1997 entitled "The New War'

Where it talks about the growing threat of terrorism that American will be facing.

The New War



It is about how we should be investing more in human intelligence instead of putting misssle defense shields. Things like hiring more Arabic translators, intelligence officials, things of that nature.

There are more committees he served on, but I have to look for them. I can't pull them off of the top of my head.

On Edit: In this book, Kerry pulls together information he gathered as chairman and ranking Democrat on the Subcommittee on Terrorism, Narcotics, and International Operations (1987^-97).

On 2nd Edit: Yes, he did serve on the Intelligence Committee.

http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/bio/kerry_bio.html

Committee Assignments:
Banking, Housing & Urban Affairs Committee
Commerce, Science & Transportation Committee
Foreign Relations Committee
Small Business Committee
Select Intelligence Committee
Democratic Steering Committee Chairman

I am not sure what time period he served on it, but I do know that a Senator cannot serve on it for more than 10 years. Bob Graham was an exception. He served for 12 I believe.

[krkaufman]

9. Good info... didn't know about the book

Excellent. Thanks. I'll look into that book.

The add'l committee info would be great if/when you can get to it. Thanks.

[rumguy]

10. wow, that is cool...

I'm gonna try and find that book tomorrow...

[Adjoran]

11. Is that why

he voted to CUT intelligence funding by $1.5 billion, then?

[La_Serpiente]

13. Please, cite your source

don't be flying numbers around as if I should, at face value, interpret your statement as fact.

[krkaufman]

15. Just the facts, please... with supporting links

Come on, let's keep it clean. Where'd this information come from? (A link to the real story would suffice.)

And any idea through which committee he proposed this?

[sandnsea]

20. Yep

Because we were spending too much money on technological intelligence and not enough on translators, human sources, and the things that really needed to be done. Turns out he was right.

[IndianaGreen]

7. According to Kerry himself, Kerry believed Bush and that is why he voted

for IWR.

Kerry also decided that the best way to protect the American people from terrorism was by stripping our civil liberties away, so he voted for the PATRIOT Act.

I'll say that Kerry flunks on national security!

[sandnsea]

8. *sigh*

Iran/Contra, Central American wars, Philippines, Cambodia, Vietnam, investigating gun and drug smuggling, international banking crime. He's just been involved with all of these war and international problems his whole life. As well as Kyoto and environmental negotiations, AIDS, trade treaties, etc. He's the whole package. Bush can't beat him on any front.

[krkaufman]

12. Thanks for the list; got more details on the relevant bits?

Hey Al,

Do you know where I can get more specific info on Senator Kerry's involvement in the following issues?

• Iran/Contra
  
• Central American wars
  
• Philippines
  
• Cambodia
  
• Vietnam
  
• investigating gun and drug smuggling
  
• international banking crime
  

Thanks.

[mb7588a]

16. some starting points

I'd go to kerry's senate website: kerry.senate.gov and see if they have a legislative timeline for the man.

Then dig in http://thomas.loc.gov for his intro'd bills/statements in the congressional record/votes on nat'l security stuff...

Then dig in the Foreign Relations and Intel. committee websites (all linked on senate.gov) looking for his opening statements on the various things you want.


And there you go. :) The basic lesson on researching a legislator's legislative history. Don't forget to use bookmarks, these sites all contain a horrendous amount of information. If you're REALLY REALLY interested, come ot D.C., I'll show you all the amazing research spots. :P

[sandnsea]

17. Google???

I'm sorry but these things are just too complex to try to put into a post. Except maybe for BLM who I think has stuff saved and maybe can post tomorrow.

I'm most impressed with Vietnam. It's like the first time in our history that we took a country we had been at war with and negotiated normal relations through peaceful means. It's not a perfect situation yet, but we're on the right path. It's a heck of alot better than another North Korea. Kerry took the lead on it and was primarily responsible for it happening at all.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

21. Here are some links that answer some of your questions

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=132&topic_id=195218

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=132&topic_id=200631

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=132&topic_id=132792

[Shanty Oilish]

14. Useful link

http://kerry.senate.gov/bandwidth/about/committee.html

[La_Serpiente]

18. We will keep this thread kicked

and add in more stuff within the next couple of days. You're asking for a lot of stuff that is why.

[sandnsea]

19. Calling BLM...

This is definitely where she shines.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

22. Judging by his IWR vote - his "credentials" are zip.

According to his supporters, he's stupid - "He believed bush."

or,

He willingly voted for the war knowing that bush was lying and aware that thousands would die.

So, he's either a moron or a sociopath.

Which is why I'll be voting Green if Kerry gets the nomination.

[La_Serpiente]

23. kick

:kick: