Kerry On Vietnam, Antiwar Movement
Tells Dan Rather He's Proud Of Record As Soldier, Antiwar Leader
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Play CBS Video Video Kerry On Antiwar Past In an interview with Dan Rather, John Kerry reflects on his Vietnam War service and later role in the antiwar movement - admitting he finds jabs at his record irritating.
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Video Kerry's Bash Of Bush John Kerry sat down for a one-on-one interview with Dan Rather to discuss key election issues. The Democratic candidate was not shy in his criticism of President Bush.
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Sen. John Kerry, center, greets former crew mates Drew Whitlow, left, and Rev. David Alston at Veterans for Kerry rally at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, Friday, June 4, 2004. (AP)
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Kerry spoke with Dan Rather Wednesday, July 21 in Boston. (CBS)
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Interactive The Democrats A look at the Democratic convention in Boston: the candidates, platform, delegates and speakers.
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Interactive Their War Years Details of President Bush's Guard service and Sen. Kerry's naval career.
RATHER: What's the biggest mistake you've made in the campaign so far?
KERRY: I regret some of early things I did in politics which weren't very smart. I've learned from them.
RATHER: The antiwar movement leadership?
KERRY: No, not in the least. Very proud of it
RATHER: You hear people say, "Look John Kerry's a war hero" – and the record shows that you are. But can you be a war hero and be a leader of an antiwar movement?
KERRY: I was.
RATHER: And you're proud of that?
KERRY: You bet I am.
RATHER: Make any mistakes in that regard?
KERRY: Yes, some language that I used, I've said before, I think was a little reflective of a young man who was angry, a young man who felt disappointed in our government leaders who had lied to us. I regret that I wasn't perhaps more tuned into how something I said might affect somebody. But you learn. That's the beauty of life.
RATHER: Speaking of anger, have you ever had any anger at President Bush, who spent his time during the Vietnam War in the National Guard, running an effective campaign that does its best to diminish your service in Vietnam? You have to be at least irritated by that, or have you been?
KERRY: Yup, I have been. That's an honest answer. Those of us who served care enormously about the people we served with and the fact of our having put our lives on the line. And I think when others challenge that, it would be inhuman if it didn't grate a little bit. But I keep my eye on a larger target.
I'm running to be president of the United States because I believe in this country and I think the American people can see through those kinds of things. So I hold my breath and put my trust in the American people to look for something bigger and better than that kind of silly attack. But it does irritate, sure.
Part 1: Kerry On Iraq, Nader, Bush
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Michelle Obama tells how her role as the First Lady has changed her perspective.
