Reply #20: Blatant bias and dishonesty in this statement

[karynnj]

He said: "John Kerry, who argued that Petraeus ought not be criticized." Kerry has personally criticized Petraeus. What he was against on this was the use of word play that attacked Petraeus' patriotism rather than his judgment or accuracy. Kerry has consistently come down against calling people's patriotism into question. (In fact, on MTP, he said that Petraeus headed the failed Iraqi training program and that 2 years ago he had told Kerry of the (100,000 - I can't remember exact number) that were ready. In the hearing, Kerry framed Petraeus' testimony as parallel to Westmoreland in 1967 and spoke of how half the names on the wall reflect deaths that occurred after that - when the generals knew the policy could not work. Think about that. Couple it with Kerry's many many statements that the current policy is not working and his comments that it is immoral to send people to die for a policy that is wrong.

Of course, to someone of Stoller's great intellect that is not criticism, engaging in the type of name calling by playing with the guy's name is.

Kerry praised Moveon.org for the grassroots work they have done - but drew the line on "general betray us". I would have been surprised if Kerry had said it was fair came to say General "betray us". He did not call a press conference to say this - he was asked the question and answered. It is consistent with the Senator's values that we all know. It is also true that as one of the people working on formulating the Democrats' strategy, he speaks with Petraeus - the military is not part of the Republican party.

Matt Stoller clearly has a problem with Senator Kerry - but he needs to be honest.