Kerry Grills Nominee Over Swift Boat (AP)

[Eugene]

Kerry Grills Nominee Over Swift Boat

By SAM HANANEL
The Associated Press
Tuesday, February 27, 2007; 8:40 PM

WASHINGTON -- A Senate hearing that began with glowing tributes to a St. Louis
businessman and his qualifications to become ambassador to Belgium turned bitterly
divisive Tuesday after he was criticized for supporting a controversial conservative
group.

Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., grilled nominee Sam Fox about why he donated $50,000
to the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth during the 2004 presidential race. The group
of Vietnam veterans made unsubstantiated allegations against Kerry _ then the
Democratic presidential nominee _ and charged that Kerry did not deserve the
medals he won in the Vietnam War.

-snip-

Fox, one of the nation's most generous contributors to Republican candidates and
causes, said he shared Kerry's concerns that politics "has become mean and
destructive."

Fox said he didn't recall who asked him to give to the group and blamed partisans
on both sides for contributing to so-called 527 groups that are not subject to
conventional campaign finance rules.

"So is that your judgment that you would bring to the ambassadorship, that two
wrongs make a right?" Kerry asked.

-snip-

Full article: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/02/27/AR2007022701545.html

Related Threads:
On Team Bush, Scumbags Become Ambassadors
BushCo Tries Pulling a Swiftie on the SFRC, Gets Smacked Down

[Zynx]

1. He was engaged in the support of slander.

He is not a fit representative for our country.

[mloutre]

3. Yeah. And besides that, Kerry kicked his ass in the hearing. And very deftly, too.

In the 'BuschCo Tries Pulling a Swiftie" thread, I posted a play-by-play account of the hearing itself. It was wicked awesome to watch. And there's linky info to the streaming video of the hearing that's up on the web now in another one of the posts, too. Very, very good political theatre it was this afternoon, totally finestkind. Otter gives it two paws up. Bring your popcorn.

[LittleClarkie]

2. Damn, I bet that felt good

Good for you, Senator.

[Unbowed]

4. The video is up too. I just watched it. Kerry was unrelenting.

It was a most enjoyable surgery. Kerry sliced and diced and Fox was a quivering puddle of spinelessness that somehow managed to hold form in a chair. He undoubtedly fell to the floor in pieces when he tried to stand after his ordeal. It couldn't happen to a nicer man. :sarcasm:

Fox is being used by Bush, no doubt. He hasn't a prayer of getting nominated. This was probably Bush's little tit for tat against Kerry for the "Set A Deadline" project Kerry has been engaged in. Vengeful creature, that Bush. Kerry turned the tables nicely though. It was fascinating to watch him in action. He was very professional in disassembling Fox.

[JI7]

6. where is the video at ?

link ?

[MH1]

7. Video (RealPlayer)

http://www.senate.gov/~foreign/archives/2007/archive022707.ram

[politicasista]

5. K&R

:kick:

[iilana X]

8. This was a good day for our side.

John Kerry was amazing. :loveya:

That scum can't get the nomination. He sat there and said he couldn't remember who asked him for FIFTY THOUSAND DOLLARS. Right. That RW slimeball probably knows where every dime he ever had went. Republicans and their money are not easily parted. They only give if it is going to hurt...someone else.

[catgirl]

9. Sweet revenge...

for us all. Thanks John Kerry!!

[The Count]

10. Another karmic moment this year. happy for Kerry.

[wisteria]

11. Senator Kerry deserves an award for his questioning of this idiot. n/t

[snowbear]

12. Yes, he does.. But so does Senator Obama in his response!!

===WOW===

Kerry was absolutely INCREDIBLE in his questioning, and Obama with his ending responses.. WOW, those two are amazing together!!!!!!

So now that I sat and watched that whole thing (BTW, Elizabeth Dole SUCKS )... buy anyway... where does it go from here?

Is there a chance Mr. Fox won't get the ambassadorship?? When will we know?

The guy (Mr. Fox) was such a LIAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[LeahD]

13. A few months ago, I was thinking that a great Dem ticket

would be Kerry/Obama. Perhaps Obama/Kerry now?

[JI7]

14. i recommend people watch this if they can

the first part of Kerry's questioning which wasn't about the Swift Boat Vets but simple questions regarding Belgium showed what an incompetent Fox was. that alone should disqualify him. i felt embarrassed for him. the guy is totally clueless.

and of course the 2nd part where JK asked about the swift vets. the articles make it seem as if it was just a few questions but it went on for some time.

and Obama putting Coleman's pathetic attempt to defend Fox to shame in his closing statements.

[snowbear]

15. I watched the entire thing...

It served as a great reminder of how professional Senator Kerry is. And you could tell that his previous lawyering days were coming out when he's was questioning that dipshit Mr. Fox; especially under these bizzaro circumstances!!

It felt good to see Kerry question face-to-face one of those who had funded (and heaftely funded I might add) such a lying, sleazy 527.

Kerry kept his cool and was incredible as he finally gets around to asking Mr. Fox about it.

You could tell from the start -- when only Coleman, Dole, Liebernann, etc., were asking him questions, Fox was thinking "this is easier than I thought"

And then he see's Senator Kerry walk in and sit down === the Party is over!

I absolutely loved how Senator Obama stood up for Senator Kerry --- he reminds me of Kerry when he speaks!

Thank you for sharing this!!!

[karynnj]

16. I agree with your summary

You can see why Kerry was such an excellent prosecutor. It amazed me how he kept the questioning so soft spoken, but tough and professional - but also intensely personal. That there was no element of rancor was amazing.

I was amazed that at one point he even mentioned how hard it must be on his kids who were there. I wonder if it registered with the kids what their father had done.