Kerry Puts Bush Nominee/Swift Boat Funder on the Hot Seat

[BurtWorm]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/02/27/AR2007022701596.html?nav=rss_politics

A MOMENT
Kerry Puts GOP Donor On Defensive

By Mary Ann Akers
washingtonpost.com Staff Writer
Wednesday, February 28, 2007; Page A17

Not that Sen. John F. Kerry (D-Mass.) was out for revenge or anything. But he did seem to enjoy at least a small measure of satisfaction in making mega-GOP-donor Sam Fox squirm during yesterday's Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing to consider Fox's nomination to be ambassador to Belgium.

Fox contributed $50,000 to fund the infamous Swift Boat Veterans for Truth ads that sought to smear Kerry's Vietnam War record in the 2004 presidential campaign.

The panel did not vote on Fox yesterday, but committee member Kerry got in his say. He walked in a bit late and explained that he did not intend "to play some sort of 'gotcha' game," but he wanted to know: How does the nominee feel about the level of "personal destruction" in politics these days?

Fox replied that he was "very concerned" that politics have become too "mean and destructive," especially with the participation of independent "527" groups such as Swift Boat Veterans. He tried not so subtly to redirect Kerry's line of questioning by saying, "Sir, you're a hero," adding that no 527 group "can take that away from you."

Why then, given Fox's dim views of 527s, did he give such a large chunk of money to help Swift Boat? Kerry asked.

Fox explained that he and his wife donate generously to GOP political causes. "When we're asked, we generally give," he said. He said he could not recall who asked for the Swift Boat donation but explained that he thought it was important to give to a 527 working on behalf of Republicans because a 527 "on the other side" was stooping to such low levels as comparing President Bush to Adolf Hitler.

"So two wrongs make a right?" Kerry asked.

Fox said he thought the dirty work of 527 ads was "disgraceful," but "that's the world we live in."

[SCRUBDASHRUB]

1. That Fox is some weasel.

[TahitiNut]

2. The only reason they object to comparing Bush to Hitler ...

... is that Junior comes off looking even more stupid and corrupt. :shrug: Ol' Adolf actually served in a war zone.

[Botany]

3. Kerry should have decked the guy.

In 2004 I got to meet one of the people who served with Kerry
on his Swift Boat.

John Kerry while bleeding from a shrapnel wound had his boat
turn around and he pulled one of his men out of the water as he was being
shot at from the jungle. Fact

[karynnj]

5. I think Kerry's demeanor and behavior were perfect

decking this weasely guy would have only hust Senator Kerry's reputation.

I think demanding accountability of these people, respected in their own communities, who funded the SBVT is wonderful. Next, Kerry needs a forum where he can ask the same of a media person who played it as even handed, when all the records, proof and believablity were on one side. These people need to be forced to see what they did. Without these people a step or two away from the SBVT, the lies wouldn't have spread. Yet they want to act innocent - they aren't.

It must have been nice meeting one of Kerry's crew - I was amazed at how loyal they were to the Senator and how there seemed to be so much real mutual respect and affection. They were also victims of these creeps and they seemed far more vulnerable than the Senator is. A video of the premiere of Hidden Wounds, a NECN documentary on PTSD included Del S. along with Senators Kerry and Cleland and the people who had a National Guard program for PTSD. Del's description of what they went through was eye opening. It was clear how angry he was at the SBVT.

[AndyA]

4. The comparison of George Bush to Adolf Hitler is a valid one, in my opinion.

The comparisons between the two people are stunning.

Except Adolf was more intelligent, and had a better grasp of his native language.

Both men can be described as evil and destructive. And both were in positions of power so that they could execute their evil deeds upon society.

No doubt both will spend eternity in Hell. (For those of us who believe in Hell.)

[karynnj]

6. Not to mention there was NO ad campaign that made this comparison

[mod mom]

7. Just watched the exchange on C & L. Did they confirm this unapologetic ass?

[mod mom]

10. Here's the link to C & L:

http://www.crooksandliars.com/2007/02/28/senator-kerry-confronts-swift-boat-funder/

[Cha]

8. KNR!

"The world we live in"?

That's the world he lives..I don't want to live in that world and I'm trying to DO something about it!

[SoCalDem]

9. Let me guess? They approved him anyway?

:puke: