Cleland Defends Kerry

Max Cleland defends Kerry at Huffington Post from attacks from John (Swift Boat Liar) O’Neil:

Yet, many high military leaders agree with the John Kerry’s position. Lt. Gen. Ricardo S. Sanchez, while serving as chief commander of allied forces in Iraq, said using American troops in raids could be counterproductive. “I started to get multiple indicators that maybe our iron-fisted approach to the conduct of ops was beginning to alienate Iraqis,” Sanchez said, referring to military operations.

I think Sanchez is right. I think we owe it to John Kerry, for all his service and sacrifice for this country, to judge him on his own words. Accountability keeps our soldiers safe. Questioning the actions of our government defines patriotism. As my friend and fellow veteran, Republican Senator Chuck Hagel said so eloquently, “To question your government is not unpatriotic — to not question your government is unpatriotic.” John O’Neill just doesn’t believe in that kind of dissent.

I’ve known John Kerry for a long time. He speaks out of love for our troops and out of an understanding of what it’s like to be an American soldier fighting in a distant land. He speaks with the same candor today that he spoke with 34 years ago when he came home from the Vietnam War.

Like many other Vietnam veterans, John Kerry does not want to see the same movie replayed over again. It is time to focus on a redeployment plan which guarantees the safety and stability of Iraq and brings our troops home.