Kerry responds to Bush and Cheney
Senator John Kerry lashed back at President Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney tonight, saying that he would not remain quiet while his patriotism was being questioned by men who had not served in Vietnam and who had ``misled the nation into Iraq.''
Mr. Bush served in the Texas Air National Guard during the Vietnam era and did not go to war. Mr. Cheney obtained draft deferments, later saying that he had ``other priorities'' at the time. Mr. Kerry volunteered for two tours of duty in Vietnam, one aboard a ship offshore and the other commanding a gunboat in the Mekong Delta for four months, receiving a Silver Star, Bronze Star and three Purple Hearts for heroism and wounds received in combat. (+)
For the past week, they attacked my patriotism and my fitness to serve as commander in chief,'' Mr. Kerry said. ``Well, here's my answer. I'm not going to have my commitment to defend this country questioned by those who refused to serve when they could have and by those who have misled the nation into Iraq.