Didn't Kerry do something like this once?

[MH1]

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=2488827&mesg_id=2488827

Or did I just imagine hearing about that?

(and I don't mean the hamster)

[emulatorloo]

1. Kerry saved a Republican

So some DU'ers probably don't like it.

http://www.lasvegassun.com/sunbin/stories/sun/2004/feb/06/516309920.html

<snip>

February 06, 2004
Former GOP Sen. Hecht owes life to Democratic candidate Kerry

By Kirsten Searer <[email protected]>
LAS VEGAS SUN

Former U.S. Sen. Chic Hecht of Nevada is a staunch Republican, but he thanks his lucky stars for Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts.

On July 12, 1988, Hecht was attending a weekly Republican luncheon when a piece of apple lodged firmly in his throat.

<snip>

[FreedomAngel82]

5. Yep!

And a republican too! So Kerry cares about everyone.

[TayTay]

2. Yup

Nevada Senator Praises Colleague for Saving Him
Associated Press, Sec. Washington News 07-13-1988
By CHRISTOPHER CALLAHAN

WASHINGTON

Sen. Chic Hecht, R-Nev., said Wednesday he owes his life to a Democratic colleague - working for his re-election defeat - who saved him from choking on an apple slice that rendered him blue and unconscious.

Sen. John F. Kerry, D-Mass., who stepped out of a Capitol elevator and found Hecht in istress Tuesday, dislodged the food after applying the Heimlich maneuver four times, witnesses said.

''I had the good fortune that John was there,'' Hecht said. ''My wife and children are forever grateful, as am I. ... He saved my life.'' The senator said his wife called Kerry on Wednesday to thank him personally and his children and sister are writing Kerry.

''It was clear to me I couldn't breathe,'' said the 59-year-old lawmaker. ''It's a sensation that I never had before. ... It's a horrible sensation.''

Hecht said he was seated at the Republican senators' weekly luncheon Tuesday and had the first bite of a fruit salad when a small apple slice caught in his throat.

Hecht said he went out to the hall, gasping for air. He said Sen. Christopher Bond, R-Mo., slapped Hecht on the back, but without effect.

At that point, Kerry stepped out of an elevator with his press secretary, Larry Carpman, saw Hecht was in trouble and applied the Heimlich maneuver.

''He's a strong guy, and I'm not too tall, about 5-5. He picked me right up and knew just what to do,'' said Hecht.

Carpman and Hecht said it took four thrusts to dislodge the apple enough to allow the senator to breathe again. But Hecht said the food was not removed for another 30 to 45 minutes by Capitol physicians.

''The realization is hitting me today how serious it was. I just came back down from seeing the doctor. My throat is very, very sore,'' Hecht said. He said he probably won't eat solid food for a few days.

Ironically, Kerry, as chairman of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, has targeted Hecht in his re-election bid.

''You know, that says something about America,'' said Hecht. ''That's the difference between America and another country. He's targeted me as No. 1 (to defeat), yet he saved my life. That's the story of America.''

Hecht is regularly rated as one of the most conservative members of the Senate, while Kerry is one of the most liberal.

Kerry had never used the life-saving maneuver before, Carpman said. He did not know where Kerry learned the procedure, adding, ''He just seemed to act very instinctively.''

Kerry played down the incident and instructed his aides not to publicize it. ''I think Dr. Heimlich deserves the credit,'' he said while appearing on NBC-TV's ''Today'' show to discuss presidential politics.

[MH1]

3. Thanks!

I'm going to drop this into that thread unless you get there before me.

It never hurts to remind folks of all the great things JK has done, IMO. The news media certainly won't do it.

[karynnj]

4. ALthough I saw the article on it in the Nevada papers in 2004

that were posted on the blog, I never saw this. I love Kerry's modesty in the last quote. I can't imagine another politician not publising something like this.

I liked the Hecht comment -

''He's a strong guy, and I'm not too tall, about 5-5. He picked me right up and knew just what to do,'' said Hecht."