| Line 3: |
Line 3: |
| | |image=Unfit.jpeg | | |image=Unfit.jpeg |
| | | | |
| − | |party=[[Democrat]] | + | |party=[[Democrat]]f |
| | |spouse=Julia Thorne (divorced)<br/>Teresa Heinz | | |spouse=Julia Thorne (divorced)<br/>Teresa Heinz |
| | |religion=[[Roman Catholic]] | | |religion=[[Roman Catholic]] |
| Line 91: |
Line 91: |
| | ==2004 Presidential election== | | ==2004 Presidential election== |
| | :''Main article:'' [[United States presidential election, 2004]] | | :''Main article:'' [[United States presidential election, 2004]] |
| − | During his 2004 campaign for President, several groups were formed, most notably the [[Swift Boat Veterans for Truth|Swift Vets and POWs for Truth]],<ref>[http://www.swiftvets.com/index.php Swift Vets and POWs for Truth]</ref> to counter the charges of "[[war crimes]]" Kerry repeatedly made against Vietnam veterans (see below) and to call Kerry's military record into question, accusing him of inflicting his own wounds,<ref>[http://www.learnedhand.com/kerryunfitepilogue.htm John Kerry - Unfit For Command]</ref> going to unusual lengths to obtain his Purple Hearts,<ref>[http://www.archive-news.net/Articles/FD040830.html ''Forging a Paper Hero: The Mystery of Kerry’s Medals]</ref> and attacking unarmed civilians. Swift Boat Veterans for Truth had been criticized, firstly because no member of the group served on the actual boat that Kerry commanded and secondly for perceived contradiction. As an example, Kerry's commanding officer, George Elliott, signed an affidavit for the Swift Boat veterans claiming that with the information he had now, he would not have recommended Kerry for the military honor, but later repudiated his affidavit, stating that Kerry had deserved the honor.<ref>[http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2004/08/06/veteran_retracts_criticism_of_kerry/]</ref> In 2006, after the election bid, he proceeded to appear on ''Real Time with Bill Maher'', and joked about assassinating President Bush where he said, in response to Bill Maher's comment about how he could have gone to New Hampshire and killed two birds with one stone, "Or, I [Kerry] could have gone to 1600 Pennsylvania and killed the real bird with one stone.", with him being shameless enough in the joke that he posted it on his own website. As further indication of [[Liberal bias]], this joke was ignored by the mainstream media, despite their demanding a [[Secret Service]] investigation of GOP senator [[Jesse Helms]] for a similar joke regarding then-President [[Bill Clinton]] in 1994.<ref>http://maroonedinmarin.blogspot.com/2006/10/john-kerry-jokes-about-assassinating.html</ref> Similarly, the joke was also largely ignored, yet, when [[Ted Nugent]] inferred during a press conference that he'd end up either "dead or in jail" if Obama asked him to serve in the military, the latter ended up sending the [[Secret Service]] to pay Nugent a visit.<ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g5HE26mMmkQ</ref> | + | During his 2004 campaign for President, several groups were formed, most notably the [[Swift Boat Veterans for Truth|Swift Vets and POWs for Truth]],<ref>[http://www.swiftvets.com/index.php Swift Vets and POWs for Truth]</ref> to counter the charges of "[[war crimes]]" Kerry repeatedly made against Vietnam veterans (see below) and to call Kerry's military record into question, accusing him of inflicting his own wounds,<ref>[http://www.learnedhand.com/kerryunfitepilogue.htm John Kerry - Unfit For Command]</ref> going to unusual lengths to obtain his Purple Hearts,<ref>[http://www.archive-news.net/Articles/FD040830.html ''Forging a Paper Hero: The Mystery of Kerry’s Medals]</ref> and attacking unarmed civilians. Swift Boat Veterans for Truth had been criticized, firstly because no member of the group served on the actual boat that Kerry commanded and secondly for perceived contradiction. As an example, Kerry's commanding officer, George Elliott, signed an affidavit for the Swift Boat veterans claiming that with the information he had now, he would not have recommended Kerry for the military honor, but later repudiated his affidavit, stating that Kerry had deserved the honor.<ref>[http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2004/08/06/veteran_retracts_criticism_of_kerry/]</ref> In 2006, after the election bid, he proceeded to appear on ''Real Time with Bill Maher'', and joked about assassinating President Bush where he said, in response to Bill Maher's comment about how he could have gone to New Hampshire and killed two birds with one stone, "Or, I [Kerry] could have gone to 1600 Pennsylvania and killed the real bird with one stone," with him being shameless enough in the joke that he posted it on his own website. As further indication of [[Liberal bias]], this joke was ignored by the mainstream media, despite their demanding a [[Secret Service]] investigation of GOP senator [[Jesse Helms]] for a similar joke regarding then-President [[Bill Clinton]] in 1994.<ref>http://maroonedinmarin.blogspot.com/2006/10/john-kerry-jokes-about-assassinating.html</ref> Similarly, the joke was also largely ignored, yet, when [[Ted Nugent]] inferred during a press conference that he'd end up either "dead or in jail" if Obama asked him to serve in the military, the latter ended up sending the [[Secret Service]] to pay Nugent a visit.<ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g5HE26mMmkQ</ref> |
| | | | |
| | ===Violation of election laws=== | | ===Violation of election laws=== |
| | :{{See also|Democrat election fraud}} | | :{{See also|Democrat election fraud}} |
| − | In 2007 the [[Federal Election Commission]] fined the Kerry campaign $1.3 million for spending more than federal rules allow during his 2004 Presidential bid. In order to receive public funds, Kerry, a former Democrat senator from Massachusetts, and his running mate, former North Carolina Sen. [[John Edwards]], agreed to spend $74.6 million or less on their general election campaign against President Bush.<ref>https://www.politico.com/news/stories/0507/4269.html</ref><ref>[https://www.fec.gov/agenda/2007/mtgdoc07-37.pdf Agenda Document No. 07-37], Federal Election Commission, Washington, D.C., May 21, 2007.</ref> In 2009 the FEC fined a [[George Soros]]-backed group $775,000 for its unregulated spending during the 2004 election on behalf of [[Democrat]]s, including Democratic Presidential candidate John F. Kerry.<ref>https://www.cbsnews.com/2100-501563_162-3222390.html</ref> | + | In 2007, the [[Federal Election Commission]] fined the Kerry campaign $1.3 million for spending more than federal rules allow during his 2004 Presidential bid. To receive public funds, Kerry, a former Democrat senator from Massachusetts, and his running mate, former North Carolina Sen. [[John Edwards]], agreed to spend $74.6 million or less on their general election campaign against President Bush.<ref>https://www.politico.com/news/stories/0507/4269.html</ref><ref>[https://www.fec.gov/agenda/2007/mtgdoc07-37.pdf Agenda Document No. 07-37], Federal Election Commission, Washington, D.C., May 21, 2007.</ref> In 2009, the FEC fined a [[George Soros]]-backed group $775,000 for its unregulated spending during the 2004 election on behalf of [[Democrat]]s, including Democratic Presidential candidate John F. Kerry.<ref>https://www.cbsnews.com/2100-501563_162-3222390.html</ref> |
| | | | |
| | ==U.S. Senate== | | ==U.S. Senate== |
| Line 102: |
Line 102: |
| | Kerry voted to give President George W. Bush the authority to go to [[Iraq War|war with Iraq]] in 2002, although in his 2004 Presidential bid he campaigned as being opposed to the war, and later said regarding his vote to give the President that authority, "There's nothing - nothing - in my life in public service I regret more, nothing even close. We should all be willing to say: I was wrong, I should not have voted for the Iraq War Resolution."<ref>https://www.huffingtonpost.com/john-kerry/mistakes-and-responsibili_b_31482.html</ref> Kerry's initial vote on the matter and subsequent revision on the topic caused many to label him a "flip-flopper" during his 2004 presidential bid.<ref>[http://www.washtimes.com/op-ed/20040716-083945-7626r.htm Kerry’s skewed priorities], ''The Washington Times'', July 16, 2004.</ref> | | Kerry voted to give President George W. Bush the authority to go to [[Iraq War|war with Iraq]] in 2002, although in his 2004 Presidential bid he campaigned as being opposed to the war, and later said regarding his vote to give the President that authority, "There's nothing - nothing - in my life in public service I regret more, nothing even close. We should all be willing to say: I was wrong, I should not have voted for the Iraq War Resolution."<ref>https://www.huffingtonpost.com/john-kerry/mistakes-and-responsibili_b_31482.html</ref> Kerry's initial vote on the matter and subsequent revision on the topic caused many to label him a "flip-flopper" during his 2004 presidential bid.<ref>[http://www.washtimes.com/op-ed/20040716-083945-7626r.htm Kerry’s skewed priorities], ''The Washington Times'', July 16, 2004.</ref> |
| | | | |
| − | On October 30, 2006, eight days before the 2006 elections, Kerry was a headline speaker at a campaign rally being held for unsuccessful Democrat [[California]] gubernatorial candidate Phil Angelides at Pasadena City College in Pasadena, California. Speaking to an audience composed mainly of college students, Kerry said, " | + | On October 30, 2006, eight days before the 2006 elections, Kerry was a headline speaker at a campaign rally being held for unsuccessful Democrat [[California]] gubernatorial candidate Phil Angelides at Pasadena City College in Pasadena, California. Speaking to an audience composed mainly of college students, Kerry said, |
| | {{Cquote|You know, education, if you make the most of it, you study hard, you do your homework and you make an effort to be smart, you can do well. If you don't, you get stuck in Iraq.}} | | {{Cquote|You know, education, if you make the most of it, you study hard, you do your homework and you make an effort to be smart, you can do well. If you don't, you get stuck in Iraq.}} |
| − | After being criticized by President Bush and other leaders, in an effort to be funny Kerry stated "Let me make it crystal clear, as crystal clear as I know how. I apologize to no one for my criticism of the president and of his broken policy." | + | After being criticized by President Bush and other leaders, in an effort to be funny Kerry stated, "Let me make it crystal clear, as crystal clear as I know how. I apologize to no one for my criticism of the president and of his broken policy." |
| | | | |
| − | After two days, Kerry wrote an apology on his [[blog]], claiming to be sorry if anyone 'misinterpreted his comments'. | + | After two days, Kerry wrote an apology on his [[blog]], claiming to be sorry if anyone 'misinterpreted his comments.' |
| | | | |
| | ==Military career == | | ==Military career == |
| | Kerry enlisted in the U.S. Naval Reserve in February 1966 and began active service that August as Ensign aboard the USS Gridley, a Guided Missile Frigate deployed in the [[Gulf of Tonkin]]. During his tour of duty, Kerry requested his second tour be in Vietnam, listing his preferred position as commanding a Fast Patrol Craft (PCF) or "Swift Boat." His request was granted, and on November 17, 1968, he reported to Cam Ranh Bay for a month of training. | | Kerry enlisted in the U.S. Naval Reserve in February 1966 and began active service that August as Ensign aboard the USS Gridley, a Guided Missile Frigate deployed in the [[Gulf of Tonkin]]. During his tour of duty, Kerry requested his second tour be in Vietnam, listing his preferred position as commanding a Fast Patrol Craft (PCF) or "Swift Boat." His request was granted, and on November 17, 1968, he reported to Cam Ranh Bay for a month of training. |
| | | | |
| − | The Swift Boats had been considered to be a safe place to be during the war, but during that time their role was changed to become more dangerous and combat oriented. During his few months of service, Kerry recommended himself for the [[Silver Star]], the [[Bronze Star]], and three [[Purple Heart]]s. After his third minor injury, he was permitted to request reassignment as per Navy instruction 1300.39 and left Vietnam on April 2, 1969, less than 5 months after arriving. | + | The Swift Boats had been considered to be a safe place to be during the war, but during that time their role was changed to become more dangerous and combat-oriented. During his few months of service, Kerry recommended himself for the [[Silver Star]], the [[Bronze Star]], and three [[Purple Heart]]s. After his third minor injury, he was permitted to request reassignment as per Navy instruction 1300.39 and left Vietnam on April 2, 1969, less than 5 months after arriving. |
| | | | |
| | Upon returning stateside, he served as personal aide to Rear Admiral Walter Schlech until March 1970, when his active duty obligation had ended. Kerry continued serving in the Naval Reserves until February 1972. | | Upon returning stateside, he served as personal aide to Rear Admiral Walter Schlech until March 1970, when his active duty obligation had ended. Kerry continued serving in the Naval Reserves until February 1972. |