DKSuddeth
Senior Member
Iowa Senator Calls Cheney 'Coward'
Sen. Tom Harkin says Vice President Dick Cheney's questioning of John Kerry's war record and his ability to protect America is "cowardly."
The Iowa Democrat, a former Navy fighter pilot, says it outrages him that someone who got five deferments that allowed him to skip serving in Vietnam and said he had "other priorities" at that time would make that kind of comment.
Harkin said he had seen clips of the vice president saying in Iowa last week that Kerry lacks a basic understanding of the war on terrorism and couldn't make America safer.
Harkin says it makes his "blood boil" to hear criticism of Kerry from Cheney. Cheney has recently been mocking John Kerry for calling for a "more sensitive war on terror."
"When I hear this coming from Dick Cheney, who was a coward, who would not serve during the Vietnam War, it makes my blood boil," said Harkin. "He'll be tough, but he'll be tough with someone else's kid's blood."
Harkin accused President George W. Bush and his vice president of "resorting to dirty attacks on John Kerry's war record.
Harkin said Bush and Cheney are running scared because John Kerry has a war record and they don't. And he called Cheney's statements cowardly.
Harkin, a 20-year veteran of the Senate, was a Navy flier from 1962-67, including stints at Atsugi Naval Air Station in Japan and Guantanamo Bay. He served 1968-74 in the Reserves.
A spokesman for the Republican National Committee dismissed Harkin's criticism as "shrill, negative attacks."
NBC5i
Sen. Tom Harkin says Vice President Dick Cheney's questioning of John Kerry's war record and his ability to protect America is "cowardly."
The Iowa Democrat, a former Navy fighter pilot, says it outrages him that someone who got five deferments that allowed him to skip serving in Vietnam and said he had "other priorities" at that time would make that kind of comment.
Harkin said he had seen clips of the vice president saying in Iowa last week that Kerry lacks a basic understanding of the war on terrorism and couldn't make America safer.
Harkin says it makes his "blood boil" to hear criticism of Kerry from Cheney. Cheney has recently been mocking John Kerry for calling for a "more sensitive war on terror."
"When I hear this coming from Dick Cheney, who was a coward, who would not serve during the Vietnam War, it makes my blood boil," said Harkin. "He'll be tough, but he'll be tough with someone else's kid's blood."
Harkin accused President George W. Bush and his vice president of "resorting to dirty attacks on John Kerry's war record.
Harkin said Bush and Cheney are running scared because John Kerry has a war record and they don't. And he called Cheney's statements cowardly.
Harkin, a 20-year veteran of the Senate, was a Navy flier from 1962-67, including stints at Atsugi Naval Air Station in Japan and Guantanamo Bay. He served 1968-74 in the Reserves.
A spokesman for the Republican National Committee dismissed Harkin's criticism as "shrill, negative attacks."
NBC5i
