The American Spectator

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p> IN CHARACTER ; br> Re: R. Emmett Tyrrell, Jr.'s Judgment and Character : /p>

Bob Tyrrell's takedown of Kerry is, of course, spot on. However, I believe he is firing small caliber rounds, easily deflected, when he has a Hellfire available at the push of a button.

Nobody disputes that John Kerry, an officer, left Vietnam at the earliest possible moment permitted by the regs.

This is the most damning evidence of his utter unfitness to command. Or lead. Or, for that matter, dine in the company of decent folk.

A leader does not abandon his men in the field. A leader lies to the doctors about his wounds, severe though they may be, in order to stay with his men. A leader pulls the IV lines out of his arm back in the rear area hospital, sneaks out in the middle of the night and browbeats a copter pilot into flying him back to his unit. A leader's commitment to his people is to the bitter end.

John Kerry is, therefore, indisputably and by his own account, not a fit leader. The rest of the Vietnam tempest, though interesting and no doubt largely not in Mr. Kerry's favor, goes beyond the requirements of judgment.

p>He gamed the system to desert his men in the field. That's all anyone needs to know. br> -- Paul Kotik

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