Ad Wars

Random thoughts on the "Swiftboat Veterans for Truth" ads on John Kerry.

- I'm amazed at the harsh media reaction to these ads. The mainstream media is in full attack mode on the veterans themselves.

- All of the furious reaction and activity in the media apparently doesn't include one thing: actually reading the book that the veterans have released to document their claims. According to the few who have, "Unfit for Command" is extensively documented and makes the case strongly. It was obvious in the Chris Matthews'interview / haranguing of Michelle Malkin that he not only had not read the book but that he wasn't even cognizant of the exact nature of the claims the veterans have made. He came unhinged and put words in her mouth that she didn't say and the book doesn't say.

For example, Malkin mention the allegation that at least one of Kerry's wounds was self-inflicted and therefore would not have been a legitimate basis for a purple heart. She didn't make that up. I've seen the veterans being interviewed making that claim. The claim that Kerry screwed up and misfired a grenade launcher and was hit from shrapnel that ricoheted from a nearby rock. No enemy fire is the point of the claim. And the on scene commander refused to sign a citation for that reason. But Matthews clearly didn't know the facts of the allegation. He seized on her words "self-inflicted" and turned it into "shot himself". He said "no one has made the claim that he shot himself". Chris, read the book before you interview people. Earn your salary.

- The new ad should be very effective. It shows ex-POW's stating that Kerry betrayed his country when he came back and alleged war crimes by his fellow soldiers. It's already been reported that Kerry's words were played over and over during torture in the Hanoi Hilton to get prisoners to sign confessions. It's an abomination. He's worse than Jane Fonda. There is no way he's fit to be the Commander in Chief. That's the message of the ad and it's true. Hopefully it gets played.

- The Democrats are countering with an ad by retired Air Force General Merril McPeak. McPeak claims that he supported Bush in 2000 but will now support Kerry because he has a "plan". Folks, let me tell you something. I served in the active duty Air Force when McPeak was the Air Force Chief of Staff during the first gulf war. I didn't have any respect for him then. He was a worthless Chief of Staff who regularly pissed off the enlisted force. He was an elitist snob jerk. No one even remembers his contribution during Desert Storm. The only thing he was known for was redesigning the dress blue uniform into the awful "Airline pilot's" uniform that it is today. It's the plainest service uniform and everyone hated the switch. Please, do not let this guy sway your opinion.