[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 55 (Tuesday, April 27, 2004)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4384-S4385]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                ATTACK ON JOHN KERRY'S MILITARY SERVICE

  Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, over 35 years ago, John Kerry faced his 
enemies in Vietnam. There were enemies there who were involved in 
sniper fire against John Kerry, trying to take his life and kill him 
because he wore the uniform of the United States of America. Sadly, the 
Vietnam snipers are still trying to cause damage to John Kerry.
  The new Vietnam snipers come from the Bush-Cheney campaign: Karen 
Hughes, sadly the Vice President, and other campaign operatives who are 
now attacking John Kerry because he served our country. He wore the 
uniform of the United States of America. He volunteered and put his 
life on the line in Vietnam.
  This shameless exercise by the Bush-Cheney campaign must be called 
for what it is. Many of us did not serve in the military, even those of 
us in the Vietnam era. We did not volunteer for service as John Kerry 
did. We didn't wear the uniform of our country proudly as he did. We 
did not risk our lives. Included in this group is Vice President 
Cheney, who used his deferments to avoid military service, as he was 
legally allowed to do. Yet we now hear Vice President Cheney leading 
the attack against John Kerry, a man who

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volunteered, risked his life, and received awards from this country for 
his heroism.
  This is an outrageous campaign tactic by the Bush-Cheney campaign. 
The Republican attack machine on John Kerry has, frankly, criticized 
him for his two tours of duty in Vietnam. Apparently, that was not 
enough. The fact that John Kerry earned a Silver Star, a Bronze Star, 
and three Purple Hearts wasn't good enough for these Bush-Cheney 
campaign operatives who never miss a chance to attack John Kerry for 
his military record.
  Thank goodness, Senators of the stature of John McCain have stood up 
to defend his fellow Vietnam veteran, John Kerry. They have said that 
John's service is clear and unequivocal. He risked his life for 
America. I have met men who were in his crew, those who travel with him 
in his campaign, his so-called ``band of brothers.'' They are in their 
late fifties and early sixties. They give up what they are doing to 
join John McCain on the campaign trail. They tell the story. They tell 
the story of a young Navy lieutenant volunteering to serve this 
country, literally risking his life for those in his crew. They join 
him on the campaign trail, saying they are prepared to follow him into 
battle again.
  But listen to what is coming from the other side. To think that those 
who did not serve in the military are now criticizing John Kerry for 
his war record is reprehensible. It is time to put the cards on the 
table. John Kerry not only has nothing to apologize for when it comes 
to his military record, he can be very proud of that. For those who say 
when he came back after the war and was critical of our Vietnam policy, 
somehow that was wrong, once again, listen to Senator John McCain, a 
man who not only served in the U.S. Navy as well but was a prisoner of 
war. John McCain came forward and said John Kerry had every right to 
make the statements after the war about his disagreement with our 
foreign policy.
  What we face today is incredible--that the Bush-Cheney campaign is 
going to attack a decorated Vietnam war veteran, raise questions as to 
whether he was deserving of a Purple Heart. How could they stoop so 
low? How could they do this when so many other men and women who have 
served our country, who have been wounded in battle and received Purple 
Hearts, have given all we could ever ask of an American citizen? And 
now to disparage John Kerry and say that perhaps he doesn't deserve all 
of the recognition he has been given for his service in Vietnam is 
about as low as it gets.
  I have listened to these comments, and I am particularly disturbed 
that Vice President Dick Cheney has been the author of so many of these 
comments as well. Yesterday he was at Westminster College in Fulton, 
MO. He was supposed to give a speech on the foreign policy of the 
United States. Vice President Cheney was supposed to speak at 
Westminster College about foreign policy issues in Iraq. Instead, he 
went on the attack on John Kerry and his patriotism and defense of 
America. It was such an embarrassing moment that, when he left, the 
president of Westminster College e-mailed the students, staff, and 
faculty basically apologizing for what Vice President Cheney had said 
there.
  Vice President Cheney should know better. He should know that John 
Kerry served our country and served it with distinction and honor. 
While Vice President Cheney did not serve in the military, John Kerry 
did. It is time to end this shameful Bush-Cheney campaign tactic and to 
recognize the obvious: John Kerry led men into battle. He defended 
America. As President of the United States, he will do exactly the 
same.
  I yield the floor.
  The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The Senator from Oregon is 
recognized for 10 minutes.

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