For all the references to military service that we’ll hear this week in Boston (did you know James Carville was a marine?), the most remarkable reference to Vietnam in my book was this one from former President Clinton:

“During the Vietnam War, many young men — including the current President, the Vice President and me — could have gone to Vietnam but didn’t. John Kerry came from a privileged background and could have avoided it too. Instead he said, ‘send me.’”

Talk about boomer guilt! Still, the self-criticism made the point that much more powerful. Kerry certainly could have avoided the war if he had wanted to. The contrast between the paths that he and the current President chose clearly favors the Democrats. Now if only Kerry could convince active soldiers and their families that they should support his positions on defense. Hopefully, the campaign is making this a goal of the next few days.

Bill Clinton

Jim Wark, a Vietnam Vet (‘68-‘69) from Texas

In The Fray Contributor