It's official. John Kerry didn't learn anything from his failed run for the presidency. He continues to flip and flop and try to "nuance" his way out of the simplest, most straight forward questions.
Does SF-180 sound familiar? Standard Form 180 permits reporters or anyone else to write the Defense Department to ask for an individual's military records.
The Swift Boat Vets for Truth pounded John Kerry during the 2004 campaign, demanding that he sign SF-180.
Flashback to January 30, 2004, when Kerry appeared on the Meet the Press. Tim Russert brought up the issue of Kerry's caginess about his military records.
MR. RUSSERT: Many people who've been criticizing you have said: Senator, if you would just do one thing and that is sign Form 180, which would allow historians and journalists complete access to all your military records. Thus far, you have gotten the records, released them through your campaign. They say you should not be the filter. Sign Form 180 and let the historians...
SEN. KERRY: I'd be happy to put the records out. We put all the records out that I had been sent by the military. Then at the last moment, they sent some more stuff, which had some things that weren't even relevant to the record. So when we get--I'm going to sit down with them and make sure that they are clear and I am clear as to what is in the record and what isn't in the record and we'll put it out. I have no problem with that.
MR. RUSSERT: Would you sign Form 180?
SEN. KERRY: But everything, Tim...
MR. RUSSERT: Would you sign Form 180?
SEN. KERRY: Yes, I will. But everything that we put in it, Tim--everything we put in--I mean, everything that was out was a full documentation of all of the medical records, all of the fitness reports. And I'd call on those who have challenged me, let's see their records. I want to see the records of each of those people who have put up a challenge, because some of them have some serious questions in them, and it hasn't been appropriate...
MR. RUSSERT: So they should sign Form 180s for themselves as well?
SEN. KERRY: You bet.
Hell froze over last Friday. On May 20, 2005, Kerry signed SF-180.
Joan Vennochi, in her Boston Globe column, "The Caveat Emperor," writes:
AT THIS POINT it comes as no surprise. John Kerry is releasing all his military records -- but then again, he isn't.
During an interview yesterday with Globe editorial writers and columnists, the former Democratic presidential nominee was asked if had signed Form SF 180, authorizing the Department of Defense to grant access to all his military records.
"I have signed it," Kerry said. Then, he added that his staff was "still going through it" and "very, very shortly, you will have a chance to see it."
The devil is usually in the details. With Kerry, it's also in the dodges and digressions. After the interview, Kerry's communications director, David Wade, was asked to clarify when Kerry signed SF 180 and when public access would be granted. Kerry drifted over to join the conversation, immediately raising the confusion level. He did not answer the question of when he signed the form or when the entire record will be made public.
Several e-mails later, Wade conveyed the following information: On Friday, May 20, Kerry obtained a copy of Form 180 and signed it. "The next step is to send it to the Navy, which will happen in the next few days. The Navy will then send out the records," e-mailed Wade...
Six months after Kerry's loss to George W. Bush, it feels somewhat gratuitous to point out how hard it can be to get a clear, straight answer from Kerry on this and other matters. But as long as the Massachusetts senator is thinking about another presidential run, the candor gap remains on the table, because he puts it there.
Kerry fielded questions on a broad range of issues with Globe staff. In Vennochi's view, the accusations from his Vietnam band of brothers still plague him.
The campaign waged against him by the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth arouses Kerry's greatest passion. "What they said was untrue," he said. He considered, but decided against, filing suit against the group, which alleged that he did not deserve his Vietnam military honors.
Kerry insists "The truth in its entirety will come out . . . the truth will come out."
Signing Form 180 is the first step. Releasing his entire military record to the public is the second.
It doesn't get any plainer than that.
I agree. It doesn't get any plainer.
It's crystal clear that Kerry cannot give a clear answer.
Kerry signed SF-180. NOW, he needs to send it to the Navy. NO KIDDING! This guy is unbelievable.
He signed it; but he hasn't taken that crucial next step--returning it!!!
What was that his mother said? Oh, yes.
INTEGRITY, INTEGRITY, INTEGRITY.
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