POLITICS: John McCain Condemns Anti-Kerry Ad

John Kerry's military service in Viet Nam has recently been criticized by an attack ad and a book produced by a group called Swift Boat Veterans for Truth. Although members of this group claim to have served with Kerry, only one of them ever served on the same boat with Kerry. The leader of the group, John O'Neill, came to Viet Nam two months after Kerry left. Now Senator John McCain, a war hero himself, is denouncing this anti-Kerry ad, and calling on the White House to do the same.




Please read the links to news stories for additional information about Kerry's military record and the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth. Of the eleven men who actually served on the same boat with Kerry, only one, Steven Gardner, is a member of the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth. All the rest of Kerry's shipmates support him and make positive statements about his war record. As mentioned, the leader of the group, John O'Neill, arrived in Viet Nam two months after Kerry left. He has no first-hand knowledge of Kerry's military service. You can read about O'Neill in the Salon link below.

As stated in the primary news story, McCain has condemned the ad, and called on the White House to repudiate it. McCain stated the ad was dishonest and dishonorable, and that none of the men in the ad actually served on the same boat with Kerry.


Related News Links:
www.johnkerry.com
www.snopes.com
www.salon.com
www.mediamatters.org


Related AboveTopSecret.com Discussion Threads:
Swift Boat Veterans Oppose Kerry
New Vietnam Veteran Anti-Kerry Ad

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Of course they aren't going to say that they are true. This is expected. Who is correct? It's hard to tell without digging into war records. Still this is going to be a huge problem for Kerry if not dealt with properly. Kerry will now be on the defensive instead of the offense against Bush.

I am glad there is one Level headed man in Washington.

I hope if Kerry gets in he gives John McCain a top job.

He see through all this politics.

Originally posted by dbates
Of course they aren't going to say that they are true. This is expected. Who is correct? It's hard to tell without digging into war records. Still this is going to be a huge problem for Kerry if not dealt with properly. Kerry will now be on the defensive instead of the offense against Bush.

Well, all the White House has said is that they will not question Kerry's service. They have not specifically repudiated the ad by Swift Boat Veterans for Truth. Instead, they are calling for an end to all 527 advertising. Of course, they would love that!

Swift Boats Veterans for Truth is just another part of the vast right-wing slime machine. At least some of the funding is coming from big-time Republican political contributors. John O'Neill, the driving force behind the group, has connections with Republican dirty tricks going all the way back to the Nixon administration.

It's important to note that McCain was condemning the tactic employed by the ad. It was a reaction to his own political bad experience:

In 2000, Bush's supporters sponsored a rumor campaign against McCain in the South Carolina primary, helping Bush win the primary and the nomination. McCain's supporters have never forgiven the Bush team.

Whether the money to back the ad comes from Republican supporters is irrelevant. To say it is relevant, one must admit to the same fact irt the Democrats' supporters such as George Soros.

Just my centrist .02

Originally posted by donguillermo
Swift Boats Veterans for Truth is just another part of the vast right-wing slime machine. At least some of the funding is coming from big-time Republican political contributors. John O'Neill, the driving force behind the group, has connections with Republican dirty tricks going all the way back to the Nixon administration.

Throwing stones in our glass house again eh?. Both side have benifited from outside groups running attack adds on the opponent. The bonus is not having to get ones hands dirty. Please the Left wing slime machine is just as active and just as adept at spinning things to thier point of view as well. The Dems have been doing the same things for just as long.

You and I rarely argee on anything, but I will say the 527 groups should be legislated out.

Hey, lets criticize Bush's war record. Oh wait he was too busy dodging the war. At least Kerry had the balls to go over and fight.