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EspañolSWIFT VETS AND POWS FOR TRUTH
(Redirected from Swift Boat Veterans for Truth)
'Swift Vets and POWs for Truth', formerly known as the 'Swift Boat Veterans for Truth' (SBVT), is a political group (527 group) of American Swift boat veterans and former prisoners of war of the Vietnam War, formed during the 2004 presidential election campaign for the purpose of opposing John Kerry's candidacy for the presidency. The group criticized Kerry's actions during and shortly after his military service. During the 2004 race, the group's ads were criticized as distortions of Kerry's military record; the group was also criticized because of the connections of some of its representatives and major donors to the Republican party and the 2004 Bush-Cheney presidential campaign.
SBVT asserted that Kerry was "unfit to serve" as President based upon his alleged "willful distortion of the conduct" of American servicemen during that war, and his alleged "withholding and/or distortion of material facts" as to his own conduct during that war.[1] This claim caused tremendous controversy during the election, particularly because some perceived the veterans as partisans who had not been in a place to assess Kerry,[2] while several other Vietnam veterans who served alongside Kerry or under his command disputed the criticisms and supported Kerry in his presidential aspirations.[3][4]
SBVT stated that "Kerry's phony war crimes charges, his exaggerated claims about his own service in Vietnam, and his deliberate misrepresentation of the nature and effectiveness of Swift boat operations compel us to step forward."[5] The group challenged the legitimacy of each of the combat medals awarded to Kerry by the U.S. Navy, and the disposition of his discharge. (See John Kerry military service controversy.) Further, SBVT said that Kerry's later criticism of the unpopular war was a "betrayal of trust" with other soldiers, and that by his activism he had caused direct "harm" to soldiers still at war. (See John Kerry VVAW controversy.)
SBVT, registered under Section 527 of the Internal Revenue Code, publicized its criticisms of Kerry during the election campaign in a book, in television advertisements that the group ran in swing states, and in the media coverage some members received. The group was the subject of several complaints to the Federal Election Commission (FEC).
After the election, the group was credited by some media and praised by conservatives as contributing to Kerry's defeat [6] while critics consider the group an example of a successful political smear campaign.[7]
SBVT was formed in 2004. Membership was initially limited to veterans of the Vietnam War who at some point served in a Swift boat unit, as did Kerry.
Of the 3,500 Swift boat sailors who served in Vietnam, the names of some 250 appeared on the group's statement against Kerry; most did not serve at the same time or in the same place as Kerry. Founding members of SBVT include Rear Admiral Roy Hoffmann (retired), a former commander of Swift boat forces; Houston attorney John O'Neill, an officer who became commander of Swift Boat PCF 94 several months after Kerry's departure in 1969 and who appeared opposite Kerry in a televised 1971 debate between them on ''The Dick Cavett Show''; and 13 other named veterans. Several of those who joined SBVT during the 2004 campaign were officers who had previously praised Kerry's conduct during the Vietnam War. These included Division Commander Grant Hibbard, who wrote positive evaluations of Kerry, and Commander George Elliott, who submitted Kerry for a Silver Star. SBVT counts, in total, 16 officers who served with Kerry in Coastal Division 11 as members.[8] Despite SBVT's statements that Kerry's "entire chain of command" belonged to the group,[9] neither Joseph Streuli, former commander of Coastal Division 13, nor Art Price, former commander CTF 116 who is described in ''Unfit for Command'' as part of Kerry's chain of command, are affiliated with the group.
The group's initial letter against Kerry stated "It is our collective judgment that, upon your return from Vietnam, you grossly and knowingly distorted the conduct of the American soldiers, marines, sailors and airmen of that war (including a betrayal of many of us, without regard for the danger your actions caused us). Further, we believe that you have withheld and/or distorted material facts as to your own conduct in this war."[10] However, Kerry had posted over 100 pages of his military records at his website nearly two weeks before the issuance of the SBVT letter, and had also made his military medical records available for inspection by reporters (and provided a summary from his doctor).[11][12][13]
Not all SBVT members said that they were signing the letter for the same reason. For example, from an interview published the day before the letter was made public: " '[Kerry] earned his medals, he did what he was supposed to do in Vietnam,' said retired Coast Guard Captain Adrian Lonsdale, who was in the chain of command above Kerry and oversaw various operations dealing with Navy swift boats of the type Kerry commanded. 'But I was very disappointed in his statements after he got out of the Navy.' "[14]
Of those who served in Kerry's boat crew, only Stephen Gardner joined SBVT. He was not present on any of the occasions when Kerry won his medals, including his Purple Hearts. Gardner appeared in two of the group's television advertisements.
All other living members of Kerry's crew supported his presidential bid, and some frequently campaigned with him as his self-described 'band of brothers'. Kerry crewmembers have disputed some of SBVT's various allegations: "totally false" (Drew Whitlow), "garbage" (Gene Thorson), and "a pack of lies" (Del Sandusky).[15][16][17]
No members of SBVT were aboard Kerry's boat during any of the incidents for which he was decorated. The only member of SBVT who was present at the Silver Star incident, Rood's crewmember Larry Clayton Lee, praised Kerry's tactics and stated that he earned his Silver Star; he stated that based on discussions with other SBVT members, he came to question whether Kerry deserved other medals for incidents at which he was not present.[18][19]
On September 29, 2004, SBVT announced that it was joining forces with a group of American prisoners of war who were held captive by the North Vietnamese during the war to form the new group, "Swift Vets and POWs For Truth".[20]
SBVT produced several television advertisements created by Stevens Reed Curcio & Potholm attacking Kerry's actions both in and after Vietnam. For a detailed discussion of SBVT's allegations about Kerry's service in Vietnam, see John Kerry military service controversy.
SBVT first went public with a May 4, 2004, press conference declaring opposition to Kerry. When the press conference garnered little attention, the organization decided to produce television advertisements. On August 5, 2004, SBVT began airing a one-minute television spot[21][22] in three hotly contested states in the ongoing presidential election. The advertisement, entitled "Any Questions?", was a collage of short clips of 13 SBVT members, many who stated they "served with John Kerry" or had direct contact with Kerry during his service in Vietnam. The veterans appearing in the ad said Kerry was dishonest, unreliable, unfit to lead, and had dishonored his country and fellow veterans. Only one of the men in the advertisement (Steve Gardner) served under Kerry, but some sailed alongside Kerry's Swift boat on multi-boat patrols.
On August 20, 2004, SBVT released a second television advertisement[23][24] featuring a portion of Kerry's , before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.[25] Kerry, testifying as a member of Vietnam Veterans Against the War (VVAW), had criticized U.S. policy in Vietnam. He had also described VVAW's 1971 Winter Soldier Investigation, in which more than a hundred soldiers and civilians said they had seen or committed atrocities carried out by U.S. forces in Vietnam. Kerry's Senate testimony presented a summary of these men's statements; he did not, however, say that he had any personal knowledge of these atrocities. The SBVT advertisement alternated clips of Kerry's summary of these statements with charges from Vietnam veterans, particularly former POW's, that Kerry's "accusations" had demoralized and "betrayed" soldiers in Vietnam.
A third television advertisement[26][27] began airing on August 26, 2004, attacking Kerry's past statements that he was in Cambodia on Christmas Eve, 1968. This advertisement featured Stephen Gardner stating, " I spent more time on John Kerry's boat than any other crew member. ... John Kerry claims that he spent Christmas in 1968 in Cambodia and that is categorically a lie. Not in December, not in January. We were never in Cambodia on a secret mission, ever."
However, Gardner was only part of Kerry's crew for a month and a half, from December 6, 1968 to approximately January 22, 1969; crew directories and first hand accounts indicate that other crewmembers served as long or longer under Kerry's command.[28][29]
In addition, Kerry had never said that the Christmas Eve incident was a "secret mission," but happened during a routine patrol; furthermore, he stated at least two weeks prior to the ad's appearance that he had been patrolling at or near the border at the time and subsequently ambushed.[30][31] The account of the patrol appears in Douglas Brinkley's "Tour of Duty," [pp. 209-219] and Cmdr. Elliott noted in Kerry's fitness report that his boat was ambushed during the Christmas truce of 1968.[32] Moreover, Kerry's biographer, Douglas Brinkley, has stated that Kerry "went into Cambodian waters three or four times in January and February 1969 on clandestine missions".[33][34]
On August 31, 2004, a fourth advertisement[35][36] was released by SBVT. The advertisement described Kerry as a man who "renounced his country's symbols," a reference to a Vietnam War protest where Kerry threw war decorations over the fence of the U.S. Capitol building on April 23, 1971. The advertisement also contained edited video clips of Kerry from a WRC-TV program called ''Viewpoints,'' in which he stated that he gave back "six, seven, eight, nine" (in response to a question: "How many did you give back, John?"); it then included a clip from another part of that interview where Kerry stated "and that was the medals themselves," although in the interview it was not in reference to the decorations he returned.[37]
SBVT founder and spokesman John O'Neill and Jerome Corsi are coauthors of the book ''Unfit for Command: Swift Boat Veterans Speak Out Against John Kerry'', published by Regnery Publishing, but the book was ghost written by SBVT webmaster Scott Swett. A best-seller upon its release in August 2004, it criticized Kerry's judgment in battle, his truthfulness, his entitlement to certain medals, and his later anti-war activities. The book was based in part on interviews with veterans who served in or with Kerry's division, and also on biographies of Kerry. Several members of Kerry's crew stated that O'Neill failed to interview them; some veterans who were interviewed asserted that their statements were edited to strip out material favorable to Kerry.[38] Neither O'Neill nor Corsi had any firsthand knowledge of Kerry's service. O'Neill served on the Swift boats after Kerry left Vietnam and Corsi never served in Vietnam.
After controversial statements made by Corsi became public, O'Neill said that Corsi was not a coauthor of the book, but only helped in its editing.[39] However, Corsi said he was "honored to be participating in bringing the case against John Kerry as co-author of UNFIT FOR COMMAND,"[40] and portions of the book[41] contain material also found in articles posted under Corsi's name at WinterSoldier.com, a website critical of John Kerry[42][43]
A major part of the SBVT controversy centered on the group's testimony. Among the first to question the first ad was Republican Senator John McCain, a Bush supporter, Vietnam veteran, and former POW. He said, "I condemn the [SBVT] ad. It is dishonest and dishonorable. I think it is very, very wrong".[44] As a naval aviator in Vietnam, McCain had no firsthand knowledge of Kerry's service. The SBVT statements were accompanied by sworn affidavits, although one affiant, Al French, later admitted he had no firsthand knowledge of what he had sworn to.[45]
The first SBVT ad was contradicted by the statements of several other veterans who observed the incidents, by the Navy's official records, and, in some instances, by the contemporaneous statements of SBVT members themselves.
Several major newspapers were also skeptical of the SBVT allegations. For example, a ''New York Times'' news article stated, "on close examination, the accounts of Swift Boat Veterans for Truth prove to be riddled with inconsistencies."[46] ABC News's ''The Note'' opined, "the Swift Boat ad and their primary charges about Kerry's medals are personal, negative, extremely suspect, or false."[47] Regarding the medal dispute, a ''Los Angeles Times'' editorial[48] stated, "Not limited by the conventions of our colleagues in the newsroom, we can say it outright: These charges against John Kerry are false." The editorial argued this position on the basis that "Kerry is backed by almost all those who witnessed the events in question, as well as by documentation." On August 22, 2004 ''The Washington Post'' reported: "An investigation by The Washington Post into what happened that day suggests that both sides have withheld information from the public record and provided an incomplete, and sometimes inaccurate, picture of what took place. But although Kerry's accusers have succeeded in raising doubts about his war record, they have failed to come up with sufficient evidence to prove him a liar."[49]
The ABC television show ''Nightline'' traveled to Vietnam and interviewed Vietnamese who were involved in the battle for which Kerry was awarded the Silver Star. These witnesses disputed O'Neill's charge that there "was little or no fire" that day; they said that the fighting was fierce.[50] SBVT supporters question whether these witnesses are reliable because they spoke "in the presence of a Communist official",[51] but their account of enemy fire is substantially the same as that previously given by another former VC to an AP reporter[1] and by the American witnesses, including the only SBVT member who was actually present that day, Larry Clayton Lee.[52][53][54][55]
Jerome Corsi has said that a picture of Kerry's 1993 visit to Vietnam hangs in the War Remnants Museum in Ho Chi Minh City as a gesture of "honor" by the Communists "for his contribution to their victory over [the] United States",[56][57] and John O'Neill has stated that Kerry "is in the North Vietnamese war museum as a hero. . . . one of the heroes who caused them to win the war in Vietnam".[58] The statement is also repeated in "Unfit for Command" (pp 167-174). However, Josh Gerstein of the ''New York Sun'' stated in this regard:
In this connection, the webpage Corsi and another anti-Kerry veteran originally published on the Kerry museum photo contained the picture of Robert McNamara's 1995 meeting with General Giap, who was misidentified as Mao Tse Tung.(Photo #10).
In addition, John O'Neill said that in 1971 John Kerry "wanted to abandon ship and leave the POWs [in Vietnam]" and that "[o]n the Dick Cavett show and elsewhere, John Kerry‘s position was that we should accept the Madame Binh seven-point proposal, which called for unilateral withdrawal, setting a date after which at some future time, we‘d negotiate the return of the POWs. So we would set a date. We would withdraw and then we would begin to discuss how to bring them home".[59] However, in the Cavett debate, Kerry actually said:
Early in the advertising campaign, ''Time'' magazine surveyed public credence in the SBVT advertisements among those who viewed them. The poll, conducted August 24 through 26, showed that about one-third of viewers believed there was at least "some truth" to the allegations. Among swing voters, about one-fourth felt there was any truth to the ads.[60]
More recently, an early member of the group, Steve Hayes, stated that he came to believe that the group was twisting Kerry's record, and broke with the group and voted for Kerry. Hayes told the ''New York Times'':
Hayes also told the ''New York Times'' that he provided a long interview to Kerry's supporters, backing their version of the incident for which Kerry received the Bronze Star.[61]
SBVT characterized itself as a non-partisan group both in the legal sense and in spirit, yet several prominent individuals who assisted SBVT also have had close ties to the Republican Party. According to information released by the IRS on February 22, 2005, more than half of the group's reported contributions came from just three sources, all prominent Texas Republican donors: Houston builder Bob J. Perry, a longtime supporter of George W. Bush, donated $4.45 million, Harold Simmons' Contrans donated $3 million, and T. Boone Pickens, Jr. donated $2 million. Other major contributors included Bush fundraiser Carl Lindner ($300,000), Robert Lindner ($260,000), GOP contributor Aubrey McClendon ($250,000), George Matthews Jr. ($250,000), and Crow Holdings ($100,000).[62][63][64]
The initial communications consultant for SBVT was Merrie Spaeth, a Reagan administration press officer and a volunteer consultant to Ken Starr in the Clinton impeachment; she was also a spokesperson for "Republicans for Clean Air," an anti-McCain 527 group formed during the 2000 primaries and funded by Bush supporters who also helped fund SBVT.[65][66] John E. O'Neill — the primary author of ''Unfit for Command'' and a key player in the formation of SBVT — donated over $14,000 to Republican candidates. He co-operated with the Nixon White House in opposing Kerry in 1971, and seconded Nixon's nomination at the 1972 Republican national convention.[67][68]
Retired Admiral William Schachte, a principal source for the SBVT allegations about Kerry's first Purple Heart, has donated to both of Bush’s presidential campaigns. Schachte was also a lobbyist for FastShip, a firm that recently announced it was receiving $40 million in federal funding for one of its projects. In addition, Schachte's lobbying firm associate, David Norcross, was chairman of the 2004 Republican convention.[69] Chris LaCivita, Political Director of the National Republican Senatorial Committee in 2002,[70] works as a private contractor providing media advice for SBVT.[71]
The SBVT postal address was registered to Susan Arceneaux, treasurer of the Majority Leader's Fund, a PAC closely tied to the former Congressional leader, Republican Dick Armey.[72]
Republican activist Sam Fox's donation of $50,000 to SBVT during the 2004 campaign[73] caused a controversy when Bush nominated him to the position of ambassador to Belgium. Because the Democratic members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee indicated that they would not support his nomination, Bush withdrew the nomination; he appointed Fox to the position on April 4th, 2007, while Congress was in recess.[74][75]
These ties, along with others (see below), led to suggestions in the popular press that SBVT was a front group for Republicans.[76][77]
The Bush campaign became part of the general SBVT controversy when McCain condemned the first SBVT ad, and said, "I hope that the president will also condemn it." The Bush campaign did not condemn SBVT or the SBVT ads. The campaign did not endorse the group either, stating "We have not and we will not question Senator Kerry's service in Vietnam."[78] Kerry was dismissive of this statement, saying, "Of course, the President keeps telling people he would never question my service to our country. Instead, he watches as a Republican-funded attack group does just that."[79] Kerry also alleged that SBVT was "a front for the Bush campaign. And the fact that the President won’t denounce what they’re up to tells you everything you need to know — he wants them to do his dirty work".[80] When pressed on the issue, President Bush called for an end to all 527 group political advertisements, and challenged Kerry to do the same.[81]
Critics and the Kerry campaign pointed to several specific connections between SBVT and the Bush campaign. The Kerry campaign asserted that Bush campaign headquarters in Florida distributed fliers promoting SBVT events, a charge the Bush campaign denied.[82] Kenneth Cordier, former vice-chair of Veterans for Bush/Cheney (in 2000) and volunteer member of the Bush campaign veterans steering committee, appeared in the second SBVT advertisement. The Bush campaign asked him to resign and stated that it had been unaware of his SBVT involvement.[83]
On August 25, 2004, Benjamin Ginsberg, the top election lawyer to the Bush campaign on campaign finance law, also resigned after it was learned that SBVT was one of his clients. Ginsberg stated that he was withdrawing to avoid being a distraction to the campaign. He declared that he had acted "in a manner that is fully appropriate and legal," arguing that it was not uncommon or illegal for lawyers to represent campaigns or political parties while also representing 527 groups. He also maintained that he did not disclose to the Bush campaign that he was simultaneously representing the SBVT group. After leaving the Bush campaign, Ginsberg retained his status as counsel to SBVT.
In January 2005, Governor Jeb Bush, the President's brother and Florida chairman for his 2004 campaign,[84] sent a letter to SBVT member and former POW Bud Day, thanking him for his "personal support of my brother in his re-election." In addition, Governor Bush said of the SBVT:
'FEC Cases #5511 and #5525'
On August 10, 2004, three campaign finance watchdog groups — Democracy 21, the Campaign Legal Center, and the Center for Responsive Politics — jointly filed an independent complaint with the FEC (Case #5511).[86][87] The complaint alleges that SBVT's sources of funding are in violation of federal election law in that "Swift Boat Veterans for Truth (SBVT) is registered with the IRS as a section 527 group but is not registered with the Commission as a political committee. However, SBVT is, in fact, a federal political committee."
On August 20, 2004, the Kerry campaign filed a complaint with the FEC (Case #5525)[88][89] alleging that SBVT and 20 additional named respondents had conducted campaign activity that "has been coordinated with the Bush campaign and the Republican Party from the outset." Under federal election law, SBVT, as a nonpartisan 527 group, was barred from coordinating with any political campaign. The complaint, citing the "ties" noted above, claimed a "web of connections to the Bush family, high-profile Texas political figures, and President Bush's chief political aide, Karl Rove".
The Bush campaign dismissed charges of ties and asserted there was no co-ordination between SBVT and the campaign. Editorial opinion on the evidence for co-ordination varied. ABC News' ''The Note'' stated, "There is no evidence that the Bush campaign is orchestrating the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth."[90] In contrast, the ''New York Times'' opined that the SBVT attacks were "orchestrated by negative-campaign specialists deep in the heart of the Texas Republican machine."[91]
'FEC Findings - Cases #5511 and #5525'
On December 13, 2006, in a consolidated finding, the FEC ruled against the Kerry campaign allegations (Case #5525)[92] finding that...
In addition, Kerry campaign complaints against 18 other respondents were relegated to "dismissed-other" and 2 relegated to "Reason To Believe/No Further Action" (RTB/NFA) status.
The FEC did, however, find ''for'' the joint complainants (Case #5511)[93] in that the SBVT failed to register and file disclosure reports as a federal political committees, and accepted contributions in violation of federal limits and source prohibitions. SBVT was assessed a fine of $299,500.
The conciliation agreement between the FEC and the SBVT also stated, in part:
In addition, as part of the conciliation agreement, SBVT stated that upon completing its obligations under the agreement, it "intends to cease operations as an IRC Section 527 organization and to donate the remainder of its funds to a charity supporting the families of U.S. servicemen and servicewomen killed or wounded in the War in Iraq."
During the campaign, SBVT criticized Kerry for not signing a Standard Form 180 authorizing general public access to his Navy personnel records.[94] Kerry responded that the documents were posted on his website.[95] On May 20, 2005, Kerry did sign the SF-180 form permitting release of his service records and medical records to reporters from the Boston Globe, the Los Angeles Times, and the Associated Press;[96] he refused a request by the New York Sun for access to the records.[97] The Boston Globe and Los Angeles Times reported that the records largely duplicated what Kerry had released during the campaign.[98][99]
SBVT members also criticized Kerry for not releasing his own private journals and letters. However, SBVT members themselves refused to release documents. For example, a journal by another of the Swift boat commanders and the relevant Navy records of some of the SBVT members involved in specific allegations have not been released.
The White House refused to release records detailing any Bush administration contacts with prominent individuals associated with SBVT. The denied Freedom of Information Act request was filed on August 24 by Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington. [2]
In July 2006, controversy arose over donations SBVT made to a non-profit organization, the Admiral Roy Hoffmann Foundation (aka Admiral Roy Hoffman Foundation), founded by the chairman of SBVT, Roy F. Hoffmann. The address and agent for service for the foundation is Political Compliance Services, the same consulting firm, and consultant - Susan Arceneaux - used by SBVT.[100]
According to reports and SBVT's own filings, SBVT donated $10,000 to the Hoffmann organization in 2005, and in early 2006 donated another $100,000 to the organization.[101][102][103] According to a website purporting to quote SBVT treasurer Weymouth Symmes, the latter donation was subsequently reimbursed by the foundation.[104]
According to that same website, the foundation is purportedly also financed from John O'Neill's proceeds from the publication of "Unfit for Command." In addition, T. Boone Pickens, a major contributor to SBVT during the 2004 campaign, announced that he had donated $1 million to the foundation in 2006.[105]
Since the 2004 election, the term "Swift Boating" (or "swiftboating") has become a common expression for a campaign attacking opponents by questioning their credibility and patriotism. The term is most often used with the pejorative meaning of a smear campaign, "The Swift Boating of Cindy Sheehan" Editorial by Frank Rich, August 21, 2005 ''New York Times'' but has also been used positively by conservatives.[106]
1. Letters to John Kerry
2. Republican-funded Group Attacks Kerry's War Record
3. Swift Boat Accounts Incomplete Michael Dobbs
4. Kerry returns home with 'band of brothers' Jim VandeHei
5. http://www.swiftvets.com
6. Conservatives Laud Swift Boat Veterans Kelley Beaucar Vlahos
7. Smear Boat Veterans for Bush Joe Conason
8. ‘Any Questions?’ cover letter for TV station managers
9. Swift Veteran Quotes
10. Swift Veterans Letter to John Kerry
11. Kerry Camp Posts His Military Records John M. Glionna
12. Kerry Doctor Issues Summary of Military Medical Records
13. Military Records, work=Official Kerry website
14. m ad campaign showcases Kerry's career
15. McCain assails attacks on Kerry wartime record
16. Vets group attacks Kerry; McCain defends Democrat
17. Kerry crewmates defend his record
18. Kentucky veteran involved in ambush backs Kerry account Joseph Gerth
19. Political Grapevine Brit Hume
20. Swift Boat Veterans Join Forces With POWs, SBVT website
21. Any Questions (script)
22. Any Questions (video)
23. Sellout (script)
24. Sellout (video)
25. John Kerry 1971 Senate Testimony (audio)
26. Gunner (script)
27. Gunner (video)
28. Coastal Squadron One Swift Boat Crew Directory
29. Heroism, and growing concern about war Michael Kranish
30. Kerry's Cambodia account challenged by ex-commander Scott Canon
31. Holiday in Cambodia
32. John Kerry Fitness Reports
33. Kerry's confusion over Cambodia David Rennie
34. Winter in Cambodia? Michael Barone
35. Medals (script)
36. Medals (video)
37. Discarded Decorations Videotape…
38. Friendly Fire: The Birth of an Anti-Kerry Ad
39. “John O'Neill Interview with Wolf Blitzer,” ''CNN'', 2004-08-11.
40. Free Republic posting Jerome Corsi
41. Excerpts from Unfit for Command
42. Communist Vietnamese honor John Kerry, the war protestor, as a hero in their victory over the United States in the Vietnam War -- Part II
43. Coordinating with the enemy: Vietnam Veterans Against the War in Paris and Hanoi
44. Morning Show Wrap
45. Vets call for resignation of Clackamas prosecutor in Swift Boat ad
46. Friendly Fire: The Birth of an Anti-Kerry Ad Kate Zernike
47. ABC News' The Note: Choosing up Sides
48. Battle Over Kerry's Record Continues
49. Swift Boat Accounts Incomplete Michael Dobbs
50. What Happened in Kerry's Vietnam Battles? Andrew Morse
51. ABC News or ABC spin Thomas Sowell
52. This is what I saw that day William B. Rood Registration required.
53. Kerry's Leadership Is Battle Tested Peter N. Upton
54. ''Tour of Duty'', pp. 290-292
55. ''John F. Kerry, The Complete Biography'', (Boston Globe), pp. 100-103
56. Kerry honored at communist museum
57. url is self-published
58. Nightline with Ted Koppel Self-published transcript URL.
59. Scarborough Country
60. Kerry Slips Slightly as GOP Heads for NYC Mark Schulman
61. Kerry Pressing Swift Boat Case Long After Loss Kate Zernike
62. Swift Vets Top Contributors, 2004 Cycle
63. ELECTION 2004 / 2 Texans dig deep for boat vet ads / Pair from Dallas kick in million for group's coffers John Frank Registration required.
64. Bob Perry - The Man Behind Swift Boat Veterans for Truth
65. Republicans for Clean Air
66. Bush urges end to TV attack ads by outside groups, whatever their target Pete Yost
67. Nixon targeted Kerry for anti-war views Brian Williams
68. After Decades, Renewed War On Old Conflict Michael Dobbs
69. A Swift Shift in Stories Dana Milbank
70. Republican Committees-Organization and Finances, 2002 Election Cycle Self-published?
71. Bush Campaign's Top Outside Lawyer Resigns Jim Rutenberg Registration required.
72. Sailing buddies
73. Swift Boat Vets and POWs for Truth "527" Political Organization Filing Information
74. Bush withdraws nomination after Swift Boat criticism
75. Dems call for review of Bush appointment Anne Flaherty
76. Republicans' Dishonorable Charge
77. Fighting a Phony War Eleanor Clift
78. Bush Advisors Say Campaign Won't Question Kerry's Service
79. Kerry Strikes Back Against Vietnam Criticism
80. Kerry accuses Bush of relying on front groups to 'do his dirty work' on Vietnam Ron Fournier
81. Bush urges Kerry to condemn attack ads
82. Volunteer links 'Swift Boat Veterans for Truth' flier to Bush
83. Bush Campaign Drops Swift Boat Ad Figure Dana Milbank
84. President George W. Bush-Campaign Organization, Florida
85. Dear Colonel Day
86. Complaint against Swift Boat Veterans for Truth (SBVT)
87. Campaign watchdog groups file complaint over anti-Kerry ad
88. Complaint against SBVT, President George W. Bush, etc.
89. Kerry files FEC complaint against swift boat group
90. The Note
91. Swift Boats and the Texas Nexus
92. Conciliation Agreement - MURs 5511 and 5525
93.
94. Frequently Asked Questions
95. Records indicate Kerry did his duty Rowan Scarborough
96. You saw them here first
97. Kerry Grants Three Reporters Broad Access to Navy Records Josh Gerstein
98. Kerry allows Navy release of military, medical records Michael Kranish
99. Kerry Makes His Military, Medical File Available Stephen Braun
100. Admiral Roy Hoffman Foundation Tax Exempt/NonProfit Organization Information
101. Form 8872 2006 First Quarterly Report
102. Swift Boat Contributions Floated To Foundations, Disney Resort
103. The Swiftboaters Are Back in the Water
104. Kerry “Patriot Project” Punks
105. Pickens plans to launch charity Elizabeth Souder
106. Former SEAL wages campaign to defeat Murtha William H. McMichael
★ Swift Vets and POWs for Truth - www.SwiftVets.com
★ SBVT anti-Kerry advertisement archive Swift1.he.net
★ "John Kerry in Vietnam" from his website
★ Jim Rassmann account from The Wall Street Journal.
★ William Rood account from The Chicago Tribune.
★ Peter Upton account, Silver Star, Hartford Courant
★ Jim Russell Letter to the Editor, Telluride Daily Planet.
★ William Schachte statement (National Review)
★ William Schatche interview with NBC News.
★ William Zaladonis interview with NBC News.
★ Larry Clayton Lee account, Silver Star incident, Louisville Courtier-Journal, reposted
★ Jerry Leeds interview, Silver Star
★ Charles R. Gibson account, Silver Star, Springfield Republican, September 5, 2004
★ Robert Lambert account, Bronze Star, Mail Tribune
★ Robert Lambert account, Bronze Star, Associated Press via MSNBC
★ Rich Baker interview, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
★ After Action Report on Silver Star incident .
★ "Swift Boat Veterans Condemn Kerry as Unfit to Command" May 4, 2004 — NewsMax.com
★ "Swift Boat Veterans for Truth Call on John Kerry to Stop Unauthorized Use of Photo" May 17, 2004 — PRNewswire
★ "Group's ad says Kerry lied" Aug. 5, 2004 — USA Today
★ "Can Voters See Through Sham Ads?" Aug. 6, 2004 — CBSNews.com
★ "Records Counter A Critic Of Kerry; Fellow Skipper's Citation Refers To Enemy Fire" Aug. 18, 2004 — Washington Post
★ "Fog of war, partisanship cloud Kerry's Vietnam record" Aug. 19, 2004 — USA Today
★ "Kerry comrades have credibility on their side" Aug. 20, 2004 — Boston Globe
★ "Kerry Says Group Is a Front For Bush" Aug. 20, 2004 — Washington Post (Staff Writers)
★ "Friendly Fire: The Birth of an Anti-Kerry Ad" Aug. 20, 2004 — New York Times
★ "Swift Boat Accounts Incomplete" Aug. 22, 2004 — Washington Post
★ "Bush calls for halt to Swift Boat veterans’ ads" Aug. 23, 2004 — MSNBC
★ "Kerry's Cambodia Whopper" Aug. 24, 2004; Washington Post
★ "Swift Boat Writer Lied on Cambodia Claim" Aug 25, 2004 — Associated Press
★ "Ex-President Bush Calls Charges of Swift Boat Group Compelling" Aug. 30, 2004. — New York Times
★ "A very Kerry Christmas" Aug. 30, 2004; U.S.News and World Report
★ "Kerry crewman slams claims of swift boat vets. Attacks make all 'who served with him a liar'" Aug 31, 2004. Lansing State Journal
★ "Raw Data: Swift Boat Veterans' Letter to Kerry"August 31, 2004 - AP via Fox News
★ "Two Anti-Kerry Vets Tapped for VA Panel" Sep. 3, 2004, Associated Press (reposted)
★ "Kerry Furious With Cahill Over Not Attacking Swift Boat Ads Sooner" Sept. 5, 2004 — Newsweek (reposted)
★ "Swift Boat Vets, Texans Battle for 'Truth'" Adweek.com - September 23, 2004
★ "Did Kerry write own report of disputed clash? " Chicago Sun-Times - October 1, 2004
★ "Unfriendly Fire" Story on Roy Hoffmann,Oct. 2, 2004 Washington Post
★ "Kerry's SWIFT meltdown" August 11, 2004 - Hugh Hewitt - WorldNetDaily.com
★ "Swift Boat Smears" August 12, 2004, Washington Post
★ "Politics as Usual" August 19, 2004, New York Times (reposted]
★ "Smear by veterans may hurt Bush" August 22, 2004 - Thomas Oliphant column in the ''Boston Globe''
★ "Kerry Camp Ignores Facts, Attacks Swiftees" August 24, 2004 - David Limbaugh column in ''Human Events Online''.
★ "Swift Boat Sniping" August 24, 2004, Washington Post
★ "Conflicting war stories" August 24, 2004, St. Petersburg Times
★ "Swift Boats and the Texas Nexus" August 25, 2004, New York Times (reposted}
★ "Bush's dirty work" August 25, 2004, Boston Globe
★ "Survey of recent editorials"August 25, 2004, Media Matters for America
★ "Nine more editorials" August 26, 2004, Media Matters for America
★ "Swift Boat Interview" August 27, 2004 - Robert Novak interviews Retired Rear Adm. William L. Schachte Jr.
★ "Swift Surge for Bush"Aug. 30, 2004 Larry Kudlow - National Review Online
★ "Call For Investigation Of Conduct By Swift Boat Veterans For Truth In Vietnam" Aug. 31, 2004 — ''Independent Media TV''.
★ "How 'Swift boat' book defames Kerry" Sept. 1, 2004 - John Dean in CNN.com
★ double standard clear in coverage of Swift Boat ads" Sept. 2, 2004 — Benjamin L. Ginsberg, Washington Post
★ "Swift boat vets prove devastating" Sept. 3, 2004 — Richard Medley - Business Day, NZ
★ "The Swift Boat saga" Sept. 5, 2004 — Ann Coulter via PittsburghLive.com
★ "Why has it taken 30 years to correct this so-called mistake?" Sept. 5, 2004 — Daniel J. Houton in the ''Boston Globe''.
★ "Question integrity of vets attacking Kerry" Sept. 6, 2004 - Albert M. Forget in the ''Seattle Post Intelligencer''.
★ Kerry's Vietnam ghosts won't go away October 24, 2004 - Robert J. Caldwell in ''The San Diego Union-Tribune''
★ Swiftboaters Are Back in the Water" July 17, 2006 - Dave Johnson,'' Huffington Post''
★ FactCheck.org's analysis of Swift Boat Veteran attack advertisements
★ John O'Neill's campaign contribution history
★ "Web of Connections" - Chart of SBVT and ties to Bush campaign [PDF]
★ "Swift Boat Veterans for 'Truth' v. The Truth" Eriposte analysis
★ "Who is Jerome Corsi, co-author of Swift Boat Vets attack book?" — Investigation by Media Matters for America
★ "Swift Boat Veterans for Truth" - SourceWatch article
★ Truth and ''Unfit for Command'' - a detailed analysis, with links to documentation
★ Interview With Swift Boat Vet Van Odell - Dean Esmay
★ Five Minutes vs. Five Years: Interview With Swift Boat Vet George Elliott- Dean Esmay
★ From Kerry's Own Boat: Interview With Swift Boat Vet Steve Gardner - Dean Esmay
★ CSPAN Search - Swift Boat Veterans for Truth Press Conference -- May 04, 2004
★ Harvard MBAs for Truth -- A parody of the SBVFT, with slight Republican bias.
★ CSPAN Search - C-Span Phone Interview - Larry Thurlow, Member, Swift Boat Veterans for Truth
★ "Peck Arrest" March 26, 2004, USDOJ press release re Tedd Peck arrest for tax violations
★ "Former Gardner Employer Responds to 11/29/04 Chicago Sun-Times Article"
★ "Transcript" Jan. 30, 2005; Meet The Press
★ Affidavits signed by Swift Boat Veterans
★ The Truth (with Jokes) novel by Al Fraken has an explanatory chapter of this whole Swift Boat affair.
★ O'Neill, John and Jerome Corsi, ''Unfit for Command: Swift Boat Veterans Speak Out Against John Kerry'', Regnery Publishing, 2004. ISBN 0-89526-017-4
★ Grandin, Greg The Swift Boating of America
'Swift Vets and POWs for Truth', formerly known as the 'Swift Boat Veterans for Truth' (SBVT), is a political group (527 group) of American Swift boat veterans and former prisoners of war of the Vietnam War, formed during the 2004 presidential election campaign for the purpose of opposing John Kerry's candidacy for the presidency. The group criticized Kerry's actions during and shortly after his military service. During the 2004 race, the group's ads were criticized as distortions of Kerry's military record; the group was also criticized because of the connections of some of its representatives and major donors to the Republican party and the 2004 Bush-Cheney presidential campaign.
Background
SBVT asserted that Kerry was "unfit to serve" as President based upon his alleged "willful distortion of the conduct" of American servicemen during that war, and his alleged "withholding and/or distortion of material facts" as to his own conduct during that war.[1] This claim caused tremendous controversy during the election, particularly because some perceived the veterans as partisans who had not been in a place to assess Kerry,[2] while several other Vietnam veterans who served alongside Kerry or under his command disputed the criticisms and supported Kerry in his presidential aspirations.[3][4]
SBVT stated that "Kerry's phony war crimes charges, his exaggerated claims about his own service in Vietnam, and his deliberate misrepresentation of the nature and effectiveness of Swift boat operations compel us to step forward."[5] The group challenged the legitimacy of each of the combat medals awarded to Kerry by the U.S. Navy, and the disposition of his discharge. (See John Kerry military service controversy.) Further, SBVT said that Kerry's later criticism of the unpopular war was a "betrayal of trust" with other soldiers, and that by his activism he had caused direct "harm" to soldiers still at war. (See John Kerry VVAW controversy.)
SBVT, registered under Section 527 of the Internal Revenue Code, publicized its criticisms of Kerry during the election campaign in a book, in television advertisements that the group ran in swing states, and in the media coverage some members received. The group was the subject of several complaints to the Federal Election Commission (FEC).
After the election, the group was credited by some media and praised by conservatives as contributing to Kerry's defeat [6] while critics consider the group an example of a successful political smear campaign.[7]
Membership
SBVT was formed in 2004. Membership was initially limited to veterans of the Vietnam War who at some point served in a Swift boat unit, as did Kerry.
Of the 3,500 Swift boat sailors who served in Vietnam, the names of some 250 appeared on the group's statement against Kerry; most did not serve at the same time or in the same place as Kerry. Founding members of SBVT include Rear Admiral Roy Hoffmann (retired), a former commander of Swift boat forces; Houston attorney John O'Neill, an officer who became commander of Swift Boat PCF 94 several months after Kerry's departure in 1969 and who appeared opposite Kerry in a televised 1971 debate between them on ''The Dick Cavett Show''; and 13 other named veterans. Several of those who joined SBVT during the 2004 campaign were officers who had previously praised Kerry's conduct during the Vietnam War. These included Division Commander Grant Hibbard, who wrote positive evaluations of Kerry, and Commander George Elliott, who submitted Kerry for a Silver Star. SBVT counts, in total, 16 officers who served with Kerry in Coastal Division 11 as members.[8] Despite SBVT's statements that Kerry's "entire chain of command" belonged to the group,[9] neither Joseph Streuli, former commander of Coastal Division 13, nor Art Price, former commander CTF 116 who is described in ''Unfit for Command'' as part of Kerry's chain of command, are affiliated with the group.
The group's initial letter against Kerry stated "It is our collective judgment that, upon your return from Vietnam, you grossly and knowingly distorted the conduct of the American soldiers, marines, sailors and airmen of that war (including a betrayal of many of us, without regard for the danger your actions caused us). Further, we believe that you have withheld and/or distorted material facts as to your own conduct in this war."[10] However, Kerry had posted over 100 pages of his military records at his website nearly two weeks before the issuance of the SBVT letter, and had also made his military medical records available for inspection by reporters (and provided a summary from his doctor).[11][12][13]
Not all SBVT members said that they were signing the letter for the same reason. For example, from an interview published the day before the letter was made public: " '[Kerry] earned his medals, he did what he was supposed to do in Vietnam,' said retired Coast Guard Captain Adrian Lonsdale, who was in the chain of command above Kerry and oversaw various operations dealing with Navy swift boats of the type Kerry commanded. 'But I was very disappointed in his statements after he got out of the Navy.' "[14]
Of those who served in Kerry's boat crew, only Stephen Gardner joined SBVT. He was not present on any of the occasions when Kerry won his medals, including his Purple Hearts. Gardner appeared in two of the group's television advertisements.
All other living members of Kerry's crew supported his presidential bid, and some frequently campaigned with him as his self-described 'band of brothers'. Kerry crewmembers have disputed some of SBVT's various allegations: "totally false" (Drew Whitlow), "garbage" (Gene Thorson), and "a pack of lies" (Del Sandusky).[15][16][17]
No members of SBVT were aboard Kerry's boat during any of the incidents for which he was decorated. The only member of SBVT who was present at the Silver Star incident, Rood's crewmember Larry Clayton Lee, praised Kerry's tactics and stated that he earned his Silver Star; he stated that based on discussions with other SBVT members, he came to question whether Kerry deserved other medals for incidents at which he was not present.[18][19]
On September 29, 2004, SBVT announced that it was joining forces with a group of American prisoners of war who were held captive by the North Vietnamese during the war to form the new group, "Swift Vets and POWs For Truth".[20]
Media activities
SBVT produced several television advertisements created by Stevens Reed Curcio & Potholm attacking Kerry's actions both in and after Vietnam. For a detailed discussion of SBVT's allegations about Kerry's service in Vietnam, see John Kerry military service controversy.
First television advertisement
SBVT first went public with a May 4, 2004, press conference declaring opposition to Kerry. When the press conference garnered little attention, the organization decided to produce television advertisements. On August 5, 2004, SBVT began airing a one-minute television spot[21][22] in three hotly contested states in the ongoing presidential election. The advertisement, entitled "Any Questions?", was a collage of short clips of 13 SBVT members, many who stated they "served with John Kerry" or had direct contact with Kerry during his service in Vietnam. The veterans appearing in the ad said Kerry was dishonest, unreliable, unfit to lead, and had dishonored his country and fellow veterans. Only one of the men in the advertisement (Steve Gardner) served under Kerry, but some sailed alongside Kerry's Swift boat on multi-boat patrols.
Second television advertisement
On August 20, 2004, SBVT released a second television advertisement[23][24] featuring a portion of Kerry's , before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.[25] Kerry, testifying as a member of Vietnam Veterans Against the War (VVAW), had criticized U.S. policy in Vietnam. He had also described VVAW's 1971 Winter Soldier Investigation, in which more than a hundred soldiers and civilians said they had seen or committed atrocities carried out by U.S. forces in Vietnam. Kerry's Senate testimony presented a summary of these men's statements; he did not, however, say that he had any personal knowledge of these atrocities. The SBVT advertisement alternated clips of Kerry's summary of these statements with charges from Vietnam veterans, particularly former POW's, that Kerry's "accusations" had demoralized and "betrayed" soldiers in Vietnam.
Third television advertisement
A third television advertisement[26][27] began airing on August 26, 2004, attacking Kerry's past statements that he was in Cambodia on Christmas Eve, 1968. This advertisement featured Stephen Gardner stating, " I spent more time on John Kerry's boat than any other crew member. ... John Kerry claims that he spent Christmas in 1968 in Cambodia and that is categorically a lie. Not in December, not in January. We were never in Cambodia on a secret mission, ever."
However, Gardner was only part of Kerry's crew for a month and a half, from December 6, 1968 to approximately January 22, 1969; crew directories and first hand accounts indicate that other crewmembers served as long or longer under Kerry's command.[28][29]
In addition, Kerry had never said that the Christmas Eve incident was a "secret mission," but happened during a routine patrol; furthermore, he stated at least two weeks prior to the ad's appearance that he had been patrolling at or near the border at the time and subsequently ambushed.[30][31] The account of the patrol appears in Douglas Brinkley's "Tour of Duty," [pp. 209-219] and Cmdr. Elliott noted in Kerry's fitness report that his boat was ambushed during the Christmas truce of 1968.[32] Moreover, Kerry's biographer, Douglas Brinkley, has stated that Kerry "went into Cambodian waters three or four times in January and February 1969 on clandestine missions".[33][34]
Fourth television advertisement
On August 31, 2004, a fourth advertisement[35][36] was released by SBVT. The advertisement described Kerry as a man who "renounced his country's symbols," a reference to a Vietnam War protest where Kerry threw war decorations over the fence of the U.S. Capitol building on April 23, 1971. The advertisement also contained edited video clips of Kerry from a WRC-TV program called ''Viewpoints,'' in which he stated that he gave back "six, seven, eight, nine" (in response to a question: "How many did you give back, John?"); it then included a clip from another part of that interview where Kerry stated "and that was the medals themselves," although in the interview it was not in reference to the decorations he returned.[37]
Book
SBVT founder and spokesman John O'Neill and Jerome Corsi are coauthors of the book ''Unfit for Command: Swift Boat Veterans Speak Out Against John Kerry'', published by Regnery Publishing, but the book was ghost written by SBVT webmaster Scott Swett. A best-seller upon its release in August 2004, it criticized Kerry's judgment in battle, his truthfulness, his entitlement to certain medals, and his later anti-war activities. The book was based in part on interviews with veterans who served in or with Kerry's division, and also on biographies of Kerry. Several members of Kerry's crew stated that O'Neill failed to interview them; some veterans who were interviewed asserted that their statements were edited to strip out material favorable to Kerry.[38] Neither O'Neill nor Corsi had any firsthand knowledge of Kerry's service. O'Neill served on the Swift boats after Kerry left Vietnam and Corsi never served in Vietnam.
After controversial statements made by Corsi became public, O'Neill said that Corsi was not a coauthor of the book, but only helped in its editing.[39] However, Corsi said he was "honored to be participating in bringing the case against John Kerry as co-author of UNFIT FOR COMMAND,"[40] and portions of the book[41] contain material also found in articles posted under Corsi's name at WinterSoldier.com, a website critical of John Kerry[42][43]
Controversy
Truth of allegations
A major part of the SBVT controversy centered on the group's testimony. Among the first to question the first ad was Republican Senator John McCain, a Bush supporter, Vietnam veteran, and former POW. He said, "I condemn the [SBVT] ad. It is dishonest and dishonorable. I think it is very, very wrong".[44] As a naval aviator in Vietnam, McCain had no firsthand knowledge of Kerry's service. The SBVT statements were accompanied by sworn affidavits, although one affiant, Al French, later admitted he had no firsthand knowledge of what he had sworn to.[45]
The first SBVT ad was contradicted by the statements of several other veterans who observed the incidents, by the Navy's official records, and, in some instances, by the contemporaneous statements of SBVT members themselves.
Several major newspapers were also skeptical of the SBVT allegations. For example, a ''New York Times'' news article stated, "on close examination, the accounts of Swift Boat Veterans for Truth prove to be riddled with inconsistencies."[46] ABC News's ''The Note'' opined, "the Swift Boat ad and their primary charges about Kerry's medals are personal, negative, extremely suspect, or false."[47] Regarding the medal dispute, a ''Los Angeles Times'' editorial[48] stated, "Not limited by the conventions of our colleagues in the newsroom, we can say it outright: These charges against John Kerry are false." The editorial argued this position on the basis that "Kerry is backed by almost all those who witnessed the events in question, as well as by documentation." On August 22, 2004 ''The Washington Post'' reported: "An investigation by The Washington Post into what happened that day suggests that both sides have withheld information from the public record and provided an incomplete, and sometimes inaccurate, picture of what took place. But although Kerry's accusers have succeeded in raising doubts about his war record, they have failed to come up with sufficient evidence to prove him a liar."[49]
The ABC television show ''Nightline'' traveled to Vietnam and interviewed Vietnamese who were involved in the battle for which Kerry was awarded the Silver Star. These witnesses disputed O'Neill's charge that there "was little or no fire" that day; they said that the fighting was fierce.[50] SBVT supporters question whether these witnesses are reliable because they spoke "in the presence of a Communist official",[51] but their account of enemy fire is substantially the same as that previously given by another former VC to an AP reporter[1] and by the American witnesses, including the only SBVT member who was actually present that day, Larry Clayton Lee.[52][53][54][55]
Jerome Corsi has said that a picture of Kerry's 1993 visit to Vietnam hangs in the War Remnants Museum in Ho Chi Minh City as a gesture of "honor" by the Communists "for his contribution to their victory over [the] United States",[56][57] and John O'Neill has stated that Kerry "is in the North Vietnamese war museum as a hero. . . . one of the heroes who caused them to win the war in Vietnam".[58] The statement is also repeated in "Unfit for Command" (pp 167-174). However, Josh Gerstein of the ''New York Sun'' stated in this regard:
In this connection, the webpage Corsi and another anti-Kerry veteran originally published on the Kerry museum photo contained the picture of Robert McNamara's 1995 meeting with General Giap, who was misidentified as Mao Tse Tung.(Photo #10).
In addition, John O'Neill said that in 1971 John Kerry "wanted to abandon ship and leave the POWs [in Vietnam]" and that "[o]n the Dick Cavett show and elsewhere, John Kerry‘s position was that we should accept the Madame Binh seven-point proposal, which called for unilateral withdrawal, setting a date after which at some future time, we‘d negotiate the return of the POWs. So we would set a date. We would withdraw and then we would begin to discuss how to bring them home".[59] However, in the Cavett debate, Kerry actually said:
Early in the advertising campaign, ''Time'' magazine surveyed public credence in the SBVT advertisements among those who viewed them. The poll, conducted August 24 through 26, showed that about one-third of viewers believed there was at least "some truth" to the allegations. Among swing voters, about one-fourth felt there was any truth to the ads.[60]
More recently, an early member of the group, Steve Hayes, stated that he came to believe that the group was twisting Kerry's record, and broke with the group and voted for Kerry. Hayes told the ''New York Times'':
''The mantra was just 'We want to set the record straight,' '' Mr. Hayes said this month. ''It became clear to me that it was morphing from an organization to set the record straight into a highly political vendetta. They knew it was not the truth.''
Hayes also told the ''New York Times'' that he provided a long interview to Kerry's supporters, backing their version of the incident for which Kerry received the Bronze Star.[61]
Connections with Republicans
SBVT characterized itself as a non-partisan group both in the legal sense and in spirit, yet several prominent individuals who assisted SBVT also have had close ties to the Republican Party. According to information released by the IRS on February 22, 2005, more than half of the group's reported contributions came from just three sources, all prominent Texas Republican donors: Houston builder Bob J. Perry, a longtime supporter of George W. Bush, donated $4.45 million, Harold Simmons' Contrans donated $3 million, and T. Boone Pickens, Jr. donated $2 million. Other major contributors included Bush fundraiser Carl Lindner ($300,000), Robert Lindner ($260,000), GOP contributor Aubrey McClendon ($250,000), George Matthews Jr. ($250,000), and Crow Holdings ($100,000).[62][63][64]
The initial communications consultant for SBVT was Merrie Spaeth, a Reagan administration press officer and a volunteer consultant to Ken Starr in the Clinton impeachment; she was also a spokesperson for "Republicans for Clean Air," an anti-McCain 527 group formed during the 2000 primaries and funded by Bush supporters who also helped fund SBVT.[65][66] John E. O'Neill — the primary author of ''Unfit for Command'' and a key player in the formation of SBVT — donated over $14,000 to Republican candidates. He co-operated with the Nixon White House in opposing Kerry in 1971, and seconded Nixon's nomination at the 1972 Republican national convention.[67][68]
Retired Admiral William Schachte, a principal source for the SBVT allegations about Kerry's first Purple Heart, has donated to both of Bush’s presidential campaigns. Schachte was also a lobbyist for FastShip, a firm that recently announced it was receiving $40 million in federal funding for one of its projects. In addition, Schachte's lobbying firm associate, David Norcross, was chairman of the 2004 Republican convention.[69] Chris LaCivita, Political Director of the National Republican Senatorial Committee in 2002,[70] works as a private contractor providing media advice for SBVT.[71]
The SBVT postal address was registered to Susan Arceneaux, treasurer of the Majority Leader's Fund, a PAC closely tied to the former Congressional leader, Republican Dick Armey.[72]
Republican activist Sam Fox's donation of $50,000 to SBVT during the 2004 campaign[73] caused a controversy when Bush nominated him to the position of ambassador to Belgium. Because the Democratic members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee indicated that they would not support his nomination, Bush withdrew the nomination; he appointed Fox to the position on April 4th, 2007, while Congress was in recess.[74][75]
These ties, along with others (see below), led to suggestions in the popular press that SBVT was a front group for Republicans.[76][77]
Connections with the Bush campaign
The Bush campaign became part of the general SBVT controversy when McCain condemned the first SBVT ad, and said, "I hope that the president will also condemn it." The Bush campaign did not condemn SBVT or the SBVT ads. The campaign did not endorse the group either, stating "We have not and we will not question Senator Kerry's service in Vietnam."[78] Kerry was dismissive of this statement, saying, "Of course, the President keeps telling people he would never question my service to our country. Instead, he watches as a Republican-funded attack group does just that."[79] Kerry also alleged that SBVT was "a front for the Bush campaign. And the fact that the President won’t denounce what they’re up to tells you everything you need to know — he wants them to do his dirty work".[80] When pressed on the issue, President Bush called for an end to all 527 group political advertisements, and challenged Kerry to do the same.[81]
Critics and the Kerry campaign pointed to several specific connections between SBVT and the Bush campaign. The Kerry campaign asserted that Bush campaign headquarters in Florida distributed fliers promoting SBVT events, a charge the Bush campaign denied.[82] Kenneth Cordier, former vice-chair of Veterans for Bush/Cheney (in 2000) and volunteer member of the Bush campaign veterans steering committee, appeared in the second SBVT advertisement. The Bush campaign asked him to resign and stated that it had been unaware of his SBVT involvement.[83]
On August 25, 2004, Benjamin Ginsberg, the top election lawyer to the Bush campaign on campaign finance law, also resigned after it was learned that SBVT was one of his clients. Ginsberg stated that he was withdrawing to avoid being a distraction to the campaign. He declared that he had acted "in a manner that is fully appropriate and legal," arguing that it was not uncommon or illegal for lawyers to represent campaigns or political parties while also representing 527 groups. He also maintained that he did not disclose to the Bush campaign that he was simultaneously representing the SBVT group. After leaving the Bush campaign, Ginsberg retained his status as counsel to SBVT.
In January 2005, Governor Jeb Bush, the President's brother and Florida chairman for his 2004 campaign,[84] sent a letter to SBVT member and former POW Bud Day, thanking him for his "personal support of my brother in his re-election." In addition, Governor Bush said of the SBVT:
"As someone who truly understands the risk of standing up for something, I simply cannot express in words how much I value their willingness to stand up against John Kerry."[85]
FEC Filings
'FEC Cases #5511 and #5525'
On August 10, 2004, three campaign finance watchdog groups — Democracy 21, the Campaign Legal Center, and the Center for Responsive Politics — jointly filed an independent complaint with the FEC (Case #5511).[86][87] The complaint alleges that SBVT's sources of funding are in violation of federal election law in that "Swift Boat Veterans for Truth (SBVT) is registered with the IRS as a section 527 group but is not registered with the Commission as a political committee. However, SBVT is, in fact, a federal political committee."
On August 20, 2004, the Kerry campaign filed a complaint with the FEC (Case #5525)[88][89] alleging that SBVT and 20 additional named respondents had conducted campaign activity that "has been coordinated with the Bush campaign and the Republican Party from the outset." Under federal election law, SBVT, as a nonpartisan 527 group, was barred from coordinating with any political campaign. The complaint, citing the "ties" noted above, claimed a "web of connections to the Bush family, high-profile Texas political figures, and President Bush's chief political aide, Karl Rove".
The Bush campaign dismissed charges of ties and asserted there was no co-ordination between SBVT and the campaign. Editorial opinion on the evidence for co-ordination varied. ABC News' ''The Note'' stated, "There is no evidence that the Bush campaign is orchestrating the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth."[90] In contrast, the ''New York Times'' opined that the SBVT attacks were "orchestrated by negative-campaign specialists deep in the heart of the Texas Republican machine."[91]
'FEC Findings - Cases #5511 and #5525'
On December 13, 2006, in a consolidated finding, the FEC ruled against the Kerry campaign allegations (Case #5525)[92] finding that...
''Following an investigation, the Commission concluded that Swiftvets did not unlawfully coordinate its activities with, or make excessive in-kind contributions to, any federal candidate or political party committee''.
In addition, Kerry campaign complaints against 18 other respondents were relegated to "dismissed-other" and 2 relegated to "Reason To Believe/No Further Action" (RTB/NFA) status.
The FEC did, however, find ''for'' the joint complainants (Case #5511)[93] in that the SBVT failed to register and file disclosure reports as a federal political committees, and accepted contributions in violation of federal limits and source prohibitions. SBVT was assessed a fine of $299,500.
The conciliation agreement between the FEC and the SBVT also stated, in part:
'' Indeed, the Commission has never alleged that the SwiftVets acted in knowing defiance of the law, or with the conscious recognition that their actions were prohibited by law, made no findings or conclusions that there were any knowing and willful violations of the law in connection with this matter, and, thus, does not challenge SwiftVets' assertion of its good faith reliance on its understanding of the law.''
''Solely for the purpose of settling this matter expeditiously and avoiding litigation, without admission with respect to any other proceeding, and with no finding of probable cause by the Commission, SwiftVets agrees not to contest the Commission's conclusions ... .''
In addition, as part of the conciliation agreement, SBVT stated that upon completing its obligations under the agreement, it "intends to cease operations as an IRC Section 527 organization and to donate the remainder of its funds to a charity supporting the families of U.S. servicemen and servicewomen killed or wounded in the War in Iraq."
Disclosure of documents
During the campaign, SBVT criticized Kerry for not signing a Standard Form 180 authorizing general public access to his Navy personnel records.[94] Kerry responded that the documents were posted on his website.[95] On May 20, 2005, Kerry did sign the SF-180 form permitting release of his service records and medical records to reporters from the Boston Globe, the Los Angeles Times, and the Associated Press;[96] he refused a request by the New York Sun for access to the records.[97] The Boston Globe and Los Angeles Times reported that the records largely duplicated what Kerry had released during the campaign.[98][99]
SBVT members also criticized Kerry for not releasing his own private journals and letters. However, SBVT members themselves refused to release documents. For example, a journal by another of the Swift boat commanders and the relevant Navy records of some of the SBVT members involved in specific allegations have not been released.
The White House refused to release records detailing any Bush administration contacts with prominent individuals associated with SBVT. The denied Freedom of Information Act request was filed on August 24 by Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington. [2]
Relationship to Admiral Roy Hoffmann Foundation
In July 2006, controversy arose over donations SBVT made to a non-profit organization, the Admiral Roy Hoffmann Foundation (aka Admiral Roy Hoffman Foundation), founded by the chairman of SBVT, Roy F. Hoffmann. The address and agent for service for the foundation is Political Compliance Services, the same consulting firm, and consultant - Susan Arceneaux - used by SBVT.[100]
According to reports and SBVT's own filings, SBVT donated $10,000 to the Hoffmann organization in 2005, and in early 2006 donated another $100,000 to the organization.[101][102][103] According to a website purporting to quote SBVT treasurer Weymouth Symmes, the latter donation was subsequently reimbursed by the foundation.[104]
According to that same website, the foundation is purportedly also financed from John O'Neill's proceeds from the publication of "Unfit for Command." In addition, T. Boone Pickens, a major contributor to SBVT during the 2004 campaign, announced that he had donated $1 million to the foundation in 2006.[105]
"Swift Boating"
Since the 2004 election, the term "Swift Boating" (or "swiftboating") has become a common expression for a campaign attacking opponents by questioning their credibility and patriotism. The term is most often used with the pejorative meaning of a smear campaign, "The Swift Boating of Cindy Sheehan" Editorial by Frank Rich, August 21, 2005 ''New York Times'' but has also been used positively by conservatives.[106]
References
1. Letters to John Kerry
2. Republican-funded Group Attacks Kerry's War Record
3. Swift Boat Accounts Incomplete Michael Dobbs
4. Kerry returns home with 'band of brothers' Jim VandeHei
5. http://www.swiftvets.com
6. Conservatives Laud Swift Boat Veterans Kelley Beaucar Vlahos
7. Smear Boat Veterans for Bush Joe Conason
8. ‘Any Questions?’ cover letter for TV station managers
9. Swift Veteran Quotes
10. Swift Veterans Letter to John Kerry
11. Kerry Camp Posts His Military Records John M. Glionna
12. Kerry Doctor Issues Summary of Military Medical Records
13. Military Records, work=Official Kerry website
14. m ad campaign showcases Kerry's career
15. McCain assails attacks on Kerry wartime record
16. Vets group attacks Kerry; McCain defends Democrat
17. Kerry crewmates defend his record
18. Kentucky veteran involved in ambush backs Kerry account Joseph Gerth
19. Political Grapevine Brit Hume
20. Swift Boat Veterans Join Forces With POWs, SBVT website
21. Any Questions (script)
22. Any Questions (video)
23. Sellout (script)
24. Sellout (video)
25. John Kerry 1971 Senate Testimony (audio)
26. Gunner (script)
27. Gunner (video)
28. Coastal Squadron One Swift Boat Crew Directory
29. Heroism, and growing concern about war Michael Kranish
30. Kerry's Cambodia account challenged by ex-commander Scott Canon
31. Holiday in Cambodia
32. John Kerry Fitness Reports
33. Kerry's confusion over Cambodia David Rennie
34. Winter in Cambodia? Michael Barone
35. Medals (script)
36. Medals (video)
37. Discarded Decorations Videotape…
38. Friendly Fire: The Birth of an Anti-Kerry Ad
39. “John O'Neill Interview with Wolf Blitzer,” ''CNN'', 2004-08-11.
40. Free Republic posting Jerome Corsi
41. Excerpts from Unfit for Command
42. Communist Vietnamese honor John Kerry, the war protestor, as a hero in their victory over the United States in the Vietnam War -- Part II
43. Coordinating with the enemy: Vietnam Veterans Against the War in Paris and Hanoi
44. Morning Show Wrap
45. Vets call for resignation of Clackamas prosecutor in Swift Boat ad
46. Friendly Fire: The Birth of an Anti-Kerry Ad Kate Zernike
47. ABC News' The Note: Choosing up Sides
48. Battle Over Kerry's Record Continues
49. Swift Boat Accounts Incomplete Michael Dobbs
50. What Happened in Kerry's Vietnam Battles? Andrew Morse
51. ABC News or ABC spin Thomas Sowell
52. This is what I saw that day William B. Rood Registration required.
53. Kerry's Leadership Is Battle Tested Peter N. Upton
54. ''Tour of Duty'', pp. 290-292
55. ''John F. Kerry, The Complete Biography'', (Boston Globe), pp. 100-103
56. Kerry honored at communist museum
57. url is self-published
58. Nightline with Ted Koppel Self-published transcript URL.
59. Scarborough Country
60. Kerry Slips Slightly as GOP Heads for NYC Mark Schulman
61. Kerry Pressing Swift Boat Case Long After Loss Kate Zernike
62. Swift Vets Top Contributors, 2004 Cycle
63. ELECTION 2004 / 2 Texans dig deep for boat vet ads / Pair from Dallas kick in million for group's coffers John Frank Registration required.
64. Bob Perry - The Man Behind Swift Boat Veterans for Truth
65. Republicans for Clean Air
66. Bush urges end to TV attack ads by outside groups, whatever their target Pete Yost
67. Nixon targeted Kerry for anti-war views Brian Williams
68. After Decades, Renewed War On Old Conflict Michael Dobbs
69. A Swift Shift in Stories Dana Milbank
70. Republican Committees-Organization and Finances, 2002 Election Cycle Self-published?
71. Bush Campaign's Top Outside Lawyer Resigns Jim Rutenberg Registration required.
72. Sailing buddies
73. Swift Boat Vets and POWs for Truth "527" Political Organization Filing Information
74. Bush withdraws nomination after Swift Boat criticism
75. Dems call for review of Bush appointment Anne Flaherty
76. Republicans' Dishonorable Charge
77. Fighting a Phony War Eleanor Clift
78. Bush Advisors Say Campaign Won't Question Kerry's Service
79. Kerry Strikes Back Against Vietnam Criticism
80. Kerry accuses Bush of relying on front groups to 'do his dirty work' on Vietnam Ron Fournier
81. Bush urges Kerry to condemn attack ads
82. Volunteer links 'Swift Boat Veterans for Truth' flier to Bush
83. Bush Campaign Drops Swift Boat Ad Figure Dana Milbank
84. President George W. Bush-Campaign Organization, Florida
85. Dear Colonel Day
86. Complaint against Swift Boat Veterans for Truth (SBVT)
87. Campaign watchdog groups file complaint over anti-Kerry ad
88. Complaint against SBVT, President George W. Bush, etc.
89. Kerry files FEC complaint against swift boat group
90. The Note
91. Swift Boats and the Texas Nexus
92. Conciliation Agreement - MURs 5511 and 5525
93.
94. Frequently Asked Questions
95. Records indicate Kerry did his duty Rowan Scarborough
96. You saw them here first
97. Kerry Grants Three Reporters Broad Access to Navy Records Josh Gerstein
98. Kerry allows Navy release of military, medical records Michael Kranish
99. Kerry Makes His Military, Medical File Available Stephen Braun
100. Admiral Roy Hoffman Foundation Tax Exempt/NonProfit Organization Information
101. Form 8872 2006 First Quarterly Report
102. Swift Boat Contributions Floated To Foundations, Disney Resort
103. The Swiftboaters Are Back in the Water
104. Kerry “Patriot Project” Punks
105. Pickens plans to launch charity Elizabeth Souder
106. Former SEAL wages campaign to defeat Murtha William H. McMichael
External links
SBVT and Kerry websites
★ Swift Vets and POWs for Truth - www.SwiftVets.com
★ SBVT anti-Kerry advertisement archive Swift1.he.net
★ "John Kerry in Vietnam" from his website
Firsthand accounts
★ Jim Rassmann account from The Wall Street Journal.
★ William Rood account from The Chicago Tribune.
★ Peter Upton account, Silver Star, Hartford Courant
★ Jim Russell Letter to the Editor, Telluride Daily Planet.
★ William Schachte statement (National Review)
★ William Schatche interview with NBC News.
★ William Zaladonis interview with NBC News.
★ Larry Clayton Lee account, Silver Star incident, Louisville Courtier-Journal, reposted
★ Jerry Leeds interview, Silver Star
★ Charles R. Gibson account, Silver Star, Springfield Republican, September 5, 2004
★ Robert Lambert account, Bronze Star, Mail Tribune
★ Robert Lambert account, Bronze Star, Associated Press via MSNBC
★ Rich Baker interview, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
★ After Action Report on Silver Star incident .
News articles about SBVT
★ "Swift Boat Veterans Condemn Kerry as Unfit to Command" May 4, 2004 — NewsMax.com
★ "Swift Boat Veterans for Truth Call on John Kerry to Stop Unauthorized Use of Photo" May 17, 2004 — PRNewswire
★ "Group's ad says Kerry lied" Aug. 5, 2004 — USA Today
★ "Can Voters See Through Sham Ads?" Aug. 6, 2004 — CBSNews.com
★ "Records Counter A Critic Of Kerry; Fellow Skipper's Citation Refers To Enemy Fire" Aug. 18, 2004 — Washington Post
★ "Fog of war, partisanship cloud Kerry's Vietnam record" Aug. 19, 2004 — USA Today
★ "Kerry comrades have credibility on their side" Aug. 20, 2004 — Boston Globe
★ "Kerry Says Group Is a Front For Bush" Aug. 20, 2004 — Washington Post (Staff Writers)
★ "Friendly Fire: The Birth of an Anti-Kerry Ad" Aug. 20, 2004 — New York Times
★ "Swift Boat Accounts Incomplete" Aug. 22, 2004 — Washington Post
★ "Bush calls for halt to Swift Boat veterans’ ads" Aug. 23, 2004 — MSNBC
★ "Kerry's Cambodia Whopper" Aug. 24, 2004; Washington Post
★ "Swift Boat Writer Lied on Cambodia Claim" Aug 25, 2004 — Associated Press
★ "Ex-President Bush Calls Charges of Swift Boat Group Compelling" Aug. 30, 2004. — New York Times
★ "A very Kerry Christmas" Aug. 30, 2004; U.S.News and World Report
★ "Kerry crewman slams claims of swift boat vets. Attacks make all 'who served with him a liar'" Aug 31, 2004. Lansing State Journal
★ "Raw Data: Swift Boat Veterans' Letter to Kerry"August 31, 2004 - AP via Fox News
★ "Two Anti-Kerry Vets Tapped for VA Panel" Sep. 3, 2004, Associated Press (reposted)
★ "Kerry Furious With Cahill Over Not Attacking Swift Boat Ads Sooner" Sept. 5, 2004 — Newsweek (reposted)
★ "Swift Boat Vets, Texans Battle for 'Truth'" Adweek.com - September 23, 2004
★ "Did Kerry write own report of disputed clash? " Chicago Sun-Times - October 1, 2004
★ "Unfriendly Fire" Story on Roy Hoffmann,Oct. 2, 2004 Washington Post
Editorial and opinion
★ "Kerry's SWIFT meltdown" August 11, 2004 - Hugh Hewitt - WorldNetDaily.com
★ "Swift Boat Smears" August 12, 2004, Washington Post
★ "Politics as Usual" August 19, 2004, New York Times (reposted]
★ "Smear by veterans may hurt Bush" August 22, 2004 - Thomas Oliphant column in the ''Boston Globe''
★ "Kerry Camp Ignores Facts, Attacks Swiftees" August 24, 2004 - David Limbaugh column in ''Human Events Online''.
★ "Swift Boat Sniping" August 24, 2004, Washington Post
★ "Conflicting war stories" August 24, 2004, St. Petersburg Times
★ "Swift Boats and the Texas Nexus" August 25, 2004, New York Times (reposted}
★ "Bush's dirty work" August 25, 2004, Boston Globe
★ "Survey of recent editorials"August 25, 2004, Media Matters for America
★ "Nine more editorials" August 26, 2004, Media Matters for America
★ "Swift Boat Interview" August 27, 2004 - Robert Novak interviews Retired Rear Adm. William L. Schachte Jr.
★ "Swift Surge for Bush"Aug. 30, 2004 Larry Kudlow - National Review Online
★ "Call For Investigation Of Conduct By Swift Boat Veterans For Truth In Vietnam" Aug. 31, 2004 — ''Independent Media TV''.
★ "How 'Swift boat' book defames Kerry" Sept. 1, 2004 - John Dean in CNN.com
★ double standard clear in coverage of Swift Boat ads" Sept. 2, 2004 — Benjamin L. Ginsberg, Washington Post
★ "Swift boat vets prove devastating" Sept. 3, 2004 — Richard Medley - Business Day, NZ
★ "The Swift Boat saga" Sept. 5, 2004 — Ann Coulter via PittsburghLive.com
★ "Why has it taken 30 years to correct this so-called mistake?" Sept. 5, 2004 — Daniel J. Houton in the ''Boston Globe''.
★ "Question integrity of vets attacking Kerry" Sept. 6, 2004 - Albert M. Forget in the ''Seattle Post Intelligencer''.
★ Kerry's Vietnam ghosts won't go away October 24, 2004 - Robert J. Caldwell in ''The San Diego Union-Tribune''
★ Swiftboaters Are Back in the Water" July 17, 2006 - Dave Johnson,'' Huffington Post''
Other
★ FactCheck.org's analysis of Swift Boat Veteran attack advertisements
★ John O'Neill's campaign contribution history
★ "Web of Connections" - Chart of SBVT and ties to Bush campaign [PDF]
★ "Swift Boat Veterans for 'Truth' v. The Truth" Eriposte analysis
★ "Who is Jerome Corsi, co-author of Swift Boat Vets attack book?" — Investigation by Media Matters for America
★ "Swift Boat Veterans for Truth" - SourceWatch article
★ Truth and ''Unfit for Command'' - a detailed analysis, with links to documentation
★ Interview With Swift Boat Vet Van Odell - Dean Esmay
★ Five Minutes vs. Five Years: Interview With Swift Boat Vet George Elliott- Dean Esmay
★ From Kerry's Own Boat: Interview With Swift Boat Vet Steve Gardner - Dean Esmay
★ CSPAN Search - Swift Boat Veterans for Truth Press Conference -- May 04, 2004
★ Harvard MBAs for Truth -- A parody of the SBVFT, with slight Republican bias.
★ CSPAN Search - C-Span Phone Interview - Larry Thurlow, Member, Swift Boat Veterans for Truth
★ "Peck Arrest" March 26, 2004, USDOJ press release re Tedd Peck arrest for tax violations
★ "Former Gardner Employer Responds to 11/29/04 Chicago Sun-Times Article"
★ "Transcript" Jan. 30, 2005; Meet The Press
★ Affidavits signed by Swift Boat Veterans
★ The Truth (with Jokes) novel by Al Fraken has an explanatory chapter of this whole Swift Boat affair.
Further reading
★ O'Neill, John and Jerome Corsi, ''Unfit for Command: Swift Boat Veterans Speak Out Against John Kerry'', Regnery Publishing, 2004. ISBN 0-89526-017-4
★ Grandin, Greg The Swift Boating of America
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