Band of Bothers

Captain Ed finds some ghastly reporting at the Boston Glob.

Peter Canelos writes:

The mute testimony of the veterans ennobled Kerry, shining more light on his character than the loyal gazes of Nancy Reagan or Laura Bush could ever confer on their men. Kerry seemed to grow more formidable, and his sudden surge to the nomination coincided with the veterans' arrival at his side. [Really? It seemed to coincide with the wheels coming off Howard Dean - Ed.]

Now, Kerry mostly campaigns alone, with aides, local politicians, and a cranky, sleep-deprived press corps as his entourage. His much-decorated service in the Vietnam War has become a dry fact on his rsum (sic), something to be parsed and debated. The mystical bond with others who've seen combat is no longer palpable. It's vanished into the political haze.

Part of that is because it's a charade; as the upcoming open letter from a veritable flotilla of Kerry's former comrades attests, the ranks of Vietnam Veterans are far from closed behind Kerry.

But then there's this:

Bush is embracing veterans to link his ''war presidency" -- and the ongoing battles in Iraq -- to the ''good war" of his father's generation. Kerry's veterans offer standing testimony to how disputed wars can haunt the nation for generations. Whatever their individual views on Iraq, Kerry's veteran supporters apply a truth test to Bush, and remind voters of the sacrifices beneath Kerry's rich life of today.

So what will the average American think about this?

Forget the blue-state Americans who've drunk the Koolaid; for them, all war is bad unless Bill Clinton justified it.

To win this election, Kerry's going to have to keep every single voter that went for Algore, and win a bunch of red-staters.

What do they remember of Vietnam?

Immense sacrifices - all squandered by the elites that John Kerry represents.

(Via the Captain)

Posted by Mitch at May 4, 2004 08:01 AM