Kerry to Bush on Guard Service: " Prove it" [View All]

[G_j]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,1280,-4026009,00.html

Kerry Demands Bush Prove Guard Service

Tuesday April 27, 2004 1:01 PM


By NEDRA PICKLER

Associated Press Writer

WHEELING, W.Va. (AP) - John Kerry, a decorated Navy veteran criticized by Republicans for his anti-war activities during the Vietnam era, lashed out at President Bush on Monday for failing to prove whether he fulfilled his commitment to the National Guard during the same period.

Conservative critics have questioned whether Kerry deserved his three Purple Hearts for battle wounds, an issue the Democratic presidential candidate sought to put to rest last week by releasing his military records. On Sunday, a top Bush adviser criticized Kerry for leading anti-war protests after he returned from the battlefield.

``If George Bush wants to ask me questions about that through his surrogates, he owes America an explanation about whether or not he showed up for duty in the National Guard. Prove it. That's what we ought to have,'' Kerry told NBC News in an interview. ``I'm not going to stand around and let them play games.''

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