Kerry turns to the 'band of brothers'

[kskiska]

Republicans are keen to portray John Kerry as a limp-wristed liberal, but this genuine war hero has already tapped into the Vietnam generation, says Philip James

(snip)

Republicans are chomping at the bit to portray the former lieutenant governor to Michael Dukakis as a limp-wristed New England liberal, whose voting record mirrors Edward Kennedy's. They should not start salivating quite yet. Unlike Michael Dukakis, John Kerry wouldn't look silly atop a tank. And unlike GI George, you could frame him with an aircraft carrier without worrying that the photo-op might come back to haunt you.

Kerry has tapped into a previously under-exploited voting seam, the Vietnam-era generation. Now in their 50s, 60s and 70s, they represent a huge voting block, who've seen their retirement plans shrivel and the economy falter under George Bush.

Crucially, Vietnam is no longer the polarising issue of previous generations. It has now merged with the second world war and Korea in America's collective memory under a single "greatest generation" category. Kerry's use of the phrase "band of brothers" in his New Hampshire victory speech - referring to his Vietnam veteran phone bashers - was no accident. While US troops are in harm's way in Iraq, the nation has a deep respect for all Americans who put their country's uniform and went to war. Bush campaign advisers would be smart not to overplay the national security card against Kerry. The war hero is looking pretty good next to a commander in chief who never got his uniform dirty.

more…
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uselections2004/story/0,13918,1134148,00.html

[CalProf]

1. Nice to hear this

Too bad it's in an English paper...

I hope it makes it over here.

[Faygo Kid]

2. I'm in my 50s, and this resonates

Still for ABB, but I do remember very well Kerry's principled stand with Vietnam Veterans Against the War. I don't for or against candidates based on military service, but that was important to me then, and says something now.

[Old and In the Way]

3. Me too!

I credit Kerry and the VVAW with changing the public's preception on the war's morality and it's winability. I think it was an extremely courageous position for him to take back then.

I'm ABB, too, but I'd be proud to see Kerry win this election.