Jim Rassmann: Make It Clear We Will Not Tolerate Swift Boat Smears
January 20th, 2006
Days before the Iowa caucus in the 2004 primaries, Jim Rassmann emerged from the political sidelines to step up to a podium and announce his support for John Kerry. Kerry had saved Rassmann’s life in Vietnam (we all know the story), it was time, he felt to “tell the American people about John Kerry, about his wisdom and courage, about his vision and leadership.”
Writing in today’s Pittsburgh Post Gazette on the recent Swift Boating of John Murtha, Rassmann reflects on the 2004 election cycle and says, “Watching the assault on his (Kerry’s) military record by partisan operatives armed with falsehoods was a shock.” We “shouldn’t have tolerated” the Swift Boat attacks in 2004, and we must “make it clear that we will not tolerate such smears today.”
Perhaps I was naive. Watching those same tactics used against another decorated Vietnam veteran, Rep. John Murtha of Johnstown, has been a reminder of not just why I felt compelled to get involved, but why I must remain involved. I can’t in good conscience remain silent in the face of the “Swift Boating” of Jack Murtha for daring to challenge President Bush’s policy in Iraq.
Today I see that the very same smear tactics the “Swift Boat Veterans for Truth” used against John Kerry are now being unleashed against Rep. Murtha, a retired Marine colonel who served in Vietnam.
MORE & LINKS -
http://blog.thedemocraticdaily.com/?p=1706