So far, John Kerry’s image is squeaky clean. In addition, he's done a couple of truly admirable things. Most obviously, he helped found Vietnam Veterans against the War and returned the medals he had won in the war.
Oddly enough, the second admirable thing, was going to Vietnam in the first place. True, by 1966 he should have known better, but in those days the country was not so polarized politically, economically or culturally. The expression, "Liberal Republican", referred to a real political faction, not a mere oxymoron. Even Allen Ginsburg chimed in: "America, I'm putting my queer shoulder to the wheel!"
The Vietnam War was more than a burning issue. For young American men, all of whom faced the draft, it was a matter of life and death. Really, no one wanted to go to Vietnam. Kerry was a rich kid; he could have gotten out of the war. He could have gone on endless student deferments, like Clinton. His father could have gotten him into the National Guard, like Bush or former VP Quayle. Once in the Army, he could have used his education to pull a non-combat assignment, like Al Gore. Instead, he chose to put his own life at risk.
If Kerry can accomplish even a fraction of the things he talks about, the world will be better off. True, no matter who gets elected in November, the rich will still be rich and the poor will still be poor. America will still have the largest army in the world and the largest prison population.
But, if the Left can't back the man who founded Veterans against the War, what politician is ever going to take risks to get our support? We've probably consigned ourselves to permanent marginal status in US politics. For once, a major party is offering a candidate you can vote for without holding your nose.
For whom would I vote? NEXT