Reply #17: Don't you see that that was exactly what people

[karynnj]

thought about Kerry's service - where he was a hero.

Clark's service being longer would not have protected him in 2004 and he was no more prepared for it than Kerry. If anything, Kerry had fought mud slinging in campaigns before, Clark hadn't.

The good thing for 2008 (and 2006) is that Kerry allies have set up a PAC (I don't remember the type- but it's not a 527), it's charter is to defend veterans attacked dishonestly. If Clark is the candidate in 2008, the very existance of this PAC that can and will respond will help. Clark will also likely benefit from the media's current embarrasment of what happened.

The quote from "Lapdogs" a new book on the media behavior in 2000 and 2004, ennumerates how enormous the media support was for the SBVT. The official records, which were on Kerry's web site, showed the charges were lies. Beyond that Kerry people proved people already home from VN claimed to witness things, some media stories actually said "the truth will never be known." Nice way to repay Kerry for risking his life.

Clark may also face mudslinging in the primaries, as started in 2008, if he is seen as a threat.