Vietnam discussions only hurt Kerry now

[misterphelps]

Anyone who has not yet come to a conclusion about the character of these candidates will only greet new revelations with skepticism.

I don't think the answer to this election is in the five percent in the middle, it's the 50% that usually don't vote. The more of this back and forth your average nonvoter sees, the less likely they are to recognizing a difference between the two. It supresses turnout. Kerry must lay plain the differences between them. Must constantly harp on how important this is. Also hit hard on the Bush failures. He MUST encourage a large turn out on election day.

Don't you think scrub is thrilled that Vietnam is at the top of the news and not death in Iraq, or jobs, or healthcare? I swear this whole Vietnam service thing was written by Rove.

[Lefta Dissenter]

1. Well, I guess that's why

Kerry is continuing to talk about health care and other issues, while Dan Rather and some others are choosing to pursue questions about the Vietnam war.

[madmax]

2. I agree with you

but it will take more than just Kerry laying it out. Feet to the street - knock and drag. We're the foot soldiers. Register as many new voters as we can and get them and registered voters to the polls on Nov.2. That's the only poll that matters.

[friesianrider]

3. Well if turnout is suppressed that;s good for the GOP...

thus, their plan is working.

[Guaranteed]

4. Nope, we have to destroy his credibility. nt

[misterphelps]

5. ... his credibility in the war on terror

Not his credibility 30 years ago

I absolutely agree

[Guaranteed]

6. One and the same.

A man's character does not change.

[shraby]

10. Bush's character was, is and

always has been sleazy. He lied then and lies now. One can never ever trust a liar. People need to be shown what his character was then so they can understand what it is now. Unfortunately many haven't made the link because it hasn't jumped up and grabbed them in the ass.

[David Zephyr]

7. I Don't Agree, But Respect Your Point.

Essentially the swiftboat/AWOL arguments will settle in Americans minds as follows:

Did John Kerry dodge a hundred bullets or was it really just ninety while he was in harm's way in the actual war in Vietnam?

Did George Bush really go AWOL during his privileged Guard Duty which was arranged for him at the expense of some other poor kid's life or did he not go AWOL during his privileged Guard Duty which was arranged for him at the expense of some other poor kid's life?

That's the boil down in American's minds.

And then, of course, who should be allowed to continue to send young men and women into war in foreign lands?

[hansolsen]

8. There is a reason why Kerry's combat experience is relevant. Here it is.

Here is what I want him to say.

QUOTE
Fellow citizens, hear me: I served in Vietnam and experienced the combat of war. I saw people killed and I killed enemy soldiers. I learned some things from that experience that will profoundly effect the orders I will issue as Commander and Chief. I will keep our soldiers safe from the folly of war. I will not send them on combat missions with no clear objective. I will not send them into battle where they cannot tell friend from foe. I will not ask them to fight for people who will not fight for themselves. I will never send American soldiers on a combat mission with rules of engagement where they cannot fire unless fired upon. I will never ask young soldiers to risk their lives because old men in high places cannot admit their mistakes.

I will go to Baghdad myself and I will meet with the leaders of the Iraqi insurgency. I will end this war on Iraq. I will not fire another shot in that war. I will hold an immediate national referendum in Iraq to determine if the Iraqi people want us to stay. If the people of Iraq want us out of there, I will bring the troops home. If a clear majority of Iraqis want us to stay, I will demand they stand along side American troops and prove it. If they refuse or shirk that duty, I will still bring our troops home. If they want us to stay and will stand with us, I will keep American forces there as true peace keepers.

I believe that God helps those who help themselves, and so do I. That principle will guide my policy in iraq. Please give me your vote and your confidence. Please trust that what I learned in the rice fields of South Vietnam is relevant to what must be done now. I ask for your trust. Quote.

Fellow bloggers: Will this message resonate?

[alcuno]

9. Iraq = Vietnam. * went missing during his time of service and then later

took the nation into a similar foreign excursion. That's the connection.

[misterphelps]

11. This is strategy, not who's the hero

I know who the coward is. You know who he is.

The people who don't vote, or haven't decided just hear the drone of mud slinging. It is taking precious time away from issues that might actually motivate someone to vote or change their mind