John Kerry’s – Using Veterans for Political Gain?

Jeff Beatty, Republican Candidate for US Senate recently chastised incumbent John Kerry for his use of veterans as props for his political ambitions. Kerry’s spokesperson, Brigid O’Rourke, complained to the Globe that Beatty was using “Karl Rove” tactics, (Note: Apparently, the Kerry Campaign is concerned with the general election if this comparison is being drawn prior to the primary.) (Boston Globe article)


The Blog PolitikerMA.com initially reported on Beatty’s beef with Kerry’s use of veterans. Interestingly, the blog cited Thomas Dumm, a political scientist at Amherst College, as an expert. This in an obvious attempt to portray Beatty as the opportunist. According to the FEC Dumm has made substantial contributions to Senator Kerry’s Campaign, making his criticism of Beatty's stance somewhat suspect.

Having briefly met Jeff Beatty at an event in Chicopee, MA, (Beatty threw out the first pitch in an American Legion Championship game. The American Legion is a Veteran's organization), and having the opportunity to watch him interact with the crowd, most of whom were veterans, it appeared to be less of a campaign stop and more of a tribute to those who served. Who’s Fooling Who here?

While John Kerry steadfastly refuses to reveal his military records, Beatty has them proudly on display at his website – and as each poll is released Beatty’s numbers continue to improve. Ms. O’Rourke will most likely be comparing Jeff Beatty to George Bush next – invalid comparisons, lacking substance and merit, are what the Kerry campaign has given to date. Additionally, Blogs like PolitickerMA (owned by Observer Media) will continue to cite experts that, in all likelihood, have ties to the Senator. Are the people fooled? Not exactly. Is it any wonder that now when one Google’s John Kerry Mass. Senate Race, two names repeatedly appear in every single Bay State Newspaper Article - his opponents, and the words: “if” followed by John Kerry wins the primary.

In the interest of full disclosure, this blog is conservative feminist viewpoint and commentary on news items – that said, the author has been known to vote both sides of the aisle based upon job performance. Although Ed O’Reilly, John Kerry’s primary challenger holds some ideals that are not compatible to this blog, he is given fair treatment due to his background (non-elitist), a passionate approach to the campaign, as well as his unwavering stance on issues that may or may not be popular with all voters. In what we have seen so far, he appears to have the interests of his State and his Party in the right order - In other words, he is the ideal candidate for the Massachusetts Democratic Party.