Kerry, in Full

By Mark R. Levin

Some of my NRO colleagues seem sympathetic to John Kerry’s explanation that he was attacking President Bush not the troops in Iraq with his “botched” joke. They may think that, but they are unconvincing. The fact is that Kerry has a record of outrageous smears against our armed forces going back to 1971 when he lied before the Senate Foreign Affairs Committee ; or last year when he ripped the character of our troops in Iraq on Face the Nation. His slur against these same soldiers two days ago is consistent with three decades of contempt for our soldiers. This is Kerry’s pattern because these are Kerry’s beliefs.

Kerry speaks in defiance today not because he was misquoted, but because he was quoted accurately and it has hurt his party. In several close races, Democrats have spent a year claiming to support the troops while denouncing the war. They hope to create the impression that they are antiwar but pro-military. By demeaning our soldiers in Iraq, Kerry has undermined the strategy. But that doesn’t change the fact of his beliefs. Just because Kerry is now parsing his words doesn’t mean we have to.

The fact is that Kerry is a methodical (albeit not particularly bright) individual. Everything is calculated, from his support for the war when he thought it would help him gain the nomination in 2004, to his current opposition to the war, which he believes will help him win the nomination in 2008. Indeed, his denunciation of the military today, as his denunciation of the military 35 years ago, is aimed at a left-wing audience that has significant influence in the Democrat party — particularly in the nomination process. But it is damaging to several Democrat candidates in close races in the general election where the party has attempted to cultivate a tougher image. So, while Kerry meant to say what he said, as he is trying to outflank others on the far Left, it has caused a firestorm where Democrat candidates running close elections in traditionally red districts could pay the price. Hence, Kerry’s rhetorical smoke-and-mirrors in which he is attempting to divert the focus to Bush and away from the original target of his smear.

I have no doubt that when Kerry confides with his ideological soul-mates at the DailyKos and Moveon.org, or with Michael Moore and George Soros, his slanders against our troops are no different if not worse.