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September 05, 2004

This guy ought to change his name. . .

The candidate tries to keep the press at bay.

John ought to consider changing his name . . . to Job.

Just when it looked like Kerry could see the end in sight of the worst week in his sputtering campaign, this happens.

Navy probes Kerry medals

The Pentagon has ordered an investigation into the awarding of Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry's five Vietnam War decorations.

The highly unusual inquiry is to be carried out by the Inspector-General's Office of the US Navy. Senator Kerry served as a Swift boat captain for four months in 1968, serving two tours of duty in Vietnam. . .

Last week the Kerry campaign attempted to leave the Vietnam debate behind, as signs appeared that the controversy was damaging Senator Kerry's standing in the polls.

But to the consternation of campaign strategists, the navy has agreed to a request by Judicial Watch, a bipartisan lobby group, for a full inquiry. . .

In an August letter to the Pentagon, group president Tom Fitton requested an inquiry into the "determination and final disposition of the awards granted to Lieutenant (junior grade) John Forbes Kerry, US Naval Reserve", in response to the Swift boat veterans' allegations.

Confirming the inquiry, a naval spokesman said: "It is the responsibility of all personnel to correct errors in official records." Another official said privately: "There's a feeling that it's time to deal with this thoroughly, once and for all."

Among the records to be examined is a citation of Senator Kerry for bravery that was apparently signed by former navy secretary John Lehman and contributed to the awarding of his Silver Star.

The glowing citation states: "By his brave actions, bold initiative and unwavering devotion to duty, Lieutenant Kerry reflected great credit on himself."

But Mr Lehman denies all knowledge of the commendation. "It's a total mystery to me," he said last week. "I never saw it, I never signed it and I never approved it."

The inquiry will also investigate other reports and citations leading to the awarding of Senator Kerry's medals.

Mr Lehman endorsed the investigation, saying that the navy records needed to be "thoroughly researched and the facts established".

Mr Fitton said: "We hope this is the beginning of an actual investigation of the legitimacy of Senator Kerry's awards by the navy and the Pentagon."

In an angry statement from Kerry campaign headquarters, senior Kerry adviser Michael Meehan condemned the navy inquiry as an expensive waste of Pentagon resources.

"The facts are clear," Mr Meehan said. "The navy awarded John Kerry the Silver Star, a Bronze Star . . . and three Purple Hearts. This is a waste of taxpayers' dollars and the Pentagon's time, especially during wartime."

News of the inquiry came at the end of the worst week of Senator Kerry's campaign. The first opinion poll released since the end of the Republican Convention held in New York last week showed an 11-point lead by President George Bush.

Of course, you had to look in an Australian newspaper to find the story.

Posted by Mike Lief at September 5, 2004 03:19 PM | TrackBack