Pirate's Cove

The Philadelphia Inquirer (reg req’d) has this blurb in a story about the big weenie (hat tip to Captain Ed)

And he’s been dogged by bloggers who want him to authorize the release of all his military records, to clear up questions raised in 2004. He told NBC on Jan. 30 that he would sign military form SF-180 to do so, but he hasn’t yet. Most of the heat has come from conservatives, but Democratic blogger Mickey Kaus also is on the case, urging party brethren to "remove this increasingly pathetic figure from our national stage." (The word in Washington is that Kerry will sign the form soon.)

Would have been nice for the PI to name one of the bloggers that have been dogging Kerry, but, that is neither here nor there. And, I will believe that Kerry will soon sign the form when he is signing it. John Kerry doesn’t exactly have the best track record when it comes to taking and holding a position.

However, I do have to take a little exception to something the good Captain has written:

No, this is a smart move by Kerry, one of the few he’s made. He will sign off on the release three years ahead of the start of the primary season, plenty of time for whatever bad news in the file to be assimilated and then discounted by the true believers.

snip

With three years between a revelation such as that and any voting, Kerry could eventually sell voters on the idea that the times in which that discharge occurred reflected the deep divisions in America, etc etc.

The first snippet is just for background, it is the second one that I take exception with. While the Leftazoids will certainly discount any damaging information that signing the 180’s may bring, particularly the long rumored information that he received a less then honorable discharge, then had that wiped out as one of Jimmy Carters first acts as "President."  However, there is nothing in Kerry’s past which would make me possibly thing that Kerry would do the smart thing and talk frankly about the issue, minimizing the damage himself. I truly do not believe he learned enough during the campaign: he seemingly learned little during his 18 years in the Senate (he is a United States Senator, for those who weren’t aware of it :)).

Kerry could have easily deflated the medals flap by discussing it, perhaps explaining that it was a different time and place, that he was much younger, let his passions get the best of him, etc. Instead, he used the opportunities given to him to attack Bush and others, with his ugly little after interview comments on ABC to Charlie Gibson and the GMA crew.

Kerry refused to take on the Swift Boat Vets in a manner that would put him on top, choosing to instead attack and smear, yet not defend himself. Rather then concentrate on who he is and what he stands for, he spent the better part of his campaign attacking his opponents. There is a long pattern of obfuscation in his history and rhetoric. In a business where changing positions is the norm, he earned the title of Flip Flopper, due to not only his ability to change positions at the drop of a hat, but his inability to ever explain why.

No, Kerry will never explain away any damaging information in the 180’s. He will attack anyone who questions him. He will muddy the waters. But he will not provide any explanation if his 180’s contain damaging information.

But, I also do not believe that he will ever sign them, no matter how many bloggers dog him. Even where the MSM’s to get involved, he may not sign them

Tuesday’s are a blogburst day to get Kerry to sign his 180’s. Check out one of these folks on Tuesday, and go to Cao’s casa if you want to join.