John Forbes Kerry Refuses to Release Military Records

What is this man hiding? Clark released them. Bush released them. But in typical elitist fashion, Forbes Kerry can't release them. Nope! No sir, you can't see them. Nevermind that little conversation I had on national televsion on Sunday. You can't see them! Something is veeeeerrryyy fishy here... Might be some skeletons in that little ol' closet of his!

Kerry refuses to release more records
By Michael Kranish, Globe Staff | April 20, 2004
Boston Globe

WASHINGTON -- The day after John F. Kerry said he would make all of his military records available for inspection at his campaign headquarters, a spokesman said the senator would not release any new documents, leaving undisclosed many of Kerry's evaluations by his Navy commanding officers, some medical records, and possibly other material.

Kerry, in an interview Sunday on NBC's "Meet The Press," was asked whether he would follow President Bush's example and release all of his military records. "I have," Kerry said. "I've shown them -- they're available for you to come and look at." He added that "people can come and see them at headquarters."

But when a reporter showed up yesterday morning to review the documents, the campaign staff declined, saying all requests must go through the press spokesman, Michael Meehan. Late yesterday, Meehan said the only records available would be those already released to this newspaper.

"He is releasing all military records he has released to The Boston Globe," Meehan said in a telephone interview. In a follow-up e-mail, Meehan said it was those particular records to which Kerry was referring on "Meet the Press."

Kerry has not released the formal evaluations from superior officers, although his campaign has given a letter from a commanding officer that recommended him for service aboard Navy patrol boats and also reports for the Silver and Bronze stars that laud Kerry's actions in combat. By comparison, retired Army General Wesley K. Clark released hundreds of pages of his records during the Democratic primary campaign, including all evaluations of him by his superiors.

Bush earlier this year released 300 pages of documents after media outlets raised new questions about the extent of his National Guard service. Those records, which Bush promised during a Feb. 8 appearance on "Meet the Press" to make available, included many military evaluations and medical records.

White House communications director Dan Bartlett, in a telephone interview, contrasted Bush's action with that of Kerry's. "The president made a pledge before the American people, and he made his complete file available to the media and the public," Bartlett said. "They were able to review all of his medical records, and we fully released the remainder of his military files, including evaluations and performance sheets as well as days served. The president lived up to his commitment he made to the public, and we should expect the same from his opponent."

The question about Kerry's military records came up when Tim Russert, the moderator of "Meet The Press," asked the Massachusetts senator about a story in the Globe last week that quoted Kerry's former commanding officer, Lieutenant Commander Grant Hibbard, as saying that he raised questions about Kerry's first Purple Heart. Hibbard said that he had heard from others in the office that there were questions about whether Kerry and his crew took enemy fire, and Hibbard observed that Kerry's wound was minor, resembling a fingernail scrape. Purple Heart regulations say nothing about the severity of the wound. The campaign earlier this year showed the Globe a record verifying that Kerry was treated for the wound and that shrapnel was removed. That document was cited in last week's story, which was based on the forthcoming book, "John F. Kerry: The Complete Biography," written by a team of Globe reporters.

Meehan said yesterday that the campaign would show that document to what he called "legitimate" news organizations. He said other records previously shared with the Globe -- including documents describing Kerry's actions when he was awarded the Silver and Bronze stars -- would be shared with other reporters. Asked whether Kerry would release his evaluations, as Clark did during the primaries, Meehan responded: "We don't have Wesley Clark's evaluations." Asked directly whether Kerry would release all of his own evaluations, Meehan repeated that the campaign would release only the records already made available.

Meehan similarly said no new records would be released when asked if the campaign would make public other medical records besides the one related to the first Purple Heart.

Michael Kranish can be reached at kranish@globe.com

 

You would think that Forbes Kerry would *jump* at the chance to boast of his military accomplishments. What is he hiding? What good reason does he have for not releasing his records? He called on Bush to do so, and Bush did....yet Forbes Kerry won't?

That's funny, the liberals seemed to be eager to see Bush's 30 year old records...

Yes, the tax information is also horrible and a slap in the face to voters across this great nation. What was Forbes Kerry saying about "the most secretive administration ever'.... Huh.

America needs a steady hand, in this war time. Forbes Kerry has proven repeatedly that he is not a man of principle and a flip flopper.

 

That's a very very good question. Why won't Forbes Kerry release them? Is there some deep dark secret that he doesn't want let out?

It's also a good point about respecting the Reserves. Far too many liberals look down upon good, honorable service in the Reserves. We should be proud of all of our troops, not just some of them. The Reserves are a vital part of our nation's defense.

 

Chump, there have been numerous instances of liberals ridiculing Bush's service in the Texas Air Guard. These liberals imply that serving America at home is less honorable that serving overseas.

I can specifically recall RocketmanTex making references to Bush "patrolling the skies of Texas" while others were in Vietnam. This type of reference is really representative of an entire mindset for many of the most rabid liberals. Don't say you don't know anything about it. You certainly do. Guard service is honorable service, no matter what the liberals say. Period.

 

So you are not denying it? I knew you wouldn't.

Without the search function, finding your quote would take hours. Time is money.

 

The military records *released* by Bush contradict this view. The United States Military disagrees with your assessment and the liberals' assessment, Chump.

....next...

 

Of course they were made. That's why RocketmanTex isn't denying it.