Kerry’s False Claims

Hugh Hewitt lists all the mainstream media sources compiled by the RNC that point out Kerry’s erroneous claims that General Shinseki was “fired” by President Bush:

CNN PENTAGON CORRESPONDENT JAMIE MCINTYRE: “[T]he fact that the Army chief of staff was not fired or forced to retire early is just that, Judy. It is a fact.” (CNN's “Inside Politics,” 9/24/04)

KERRY KEEPS REPEATING FALSE CLAIM

October 7, 2004: Kerry Claimed “I Will Do What The Generals Believe We Need To Do Without Having Any Chilling Effect As The President Put In Place By Firing General Shinseki.” (Sen. John Kerry, Press Conference, Englewood, CO, 10/7/04)

October 5, 2004: Kerry Claimed President “Fired His Own Army Chief Of Staff [Eric Shinseki] When His Army Chief Of Staff Said How Many Troops He'd Need [In Iraq].” (Sen. John Kerry, Press Conference, Tipton, IA, 10/5/04)

THE FACTS

In Fact, Shinseki’s Retirement Was Announced In April 2002, Long Before He Testified About Potential Conduct Of Iraq War. “[Defense Sec. Rumsfeld] and Army Secretary Thomas White have settled on Gen. John M. Keane, Army deputy chief of staff, to succeed the current chief, Gen. Eric Shinseki. Gen. Shinseki does not retire for more than a year. Sources offer differing reasons for the early selection.” (Bill Gertz and Rowan Scarborough, “Inside The Ring,” The Washington Times , 4/19/02)

It Was Not Until Late February 2003, More Than Ten Months Later, That Shinseki Said “Several Hundred Thousand” Troops Would Be Required For “Post-Hostilities Control” In Iraq. SEN. CARL LEVIN (D-MI): “General Shinseki, could you give us some idea as to the magnitude of the Army's force requirement for an occupation of Iraq following a successful completion of the war?” ARMY CHIEF OF STAFF ERIC SHINSEKI: “ In specific numbers, I would have to rely on combatant commander's exact requirements . But I think …” LEVIN: “How about a range?” SHINSEKI: “I would say that what's been mobilized to this point, something on the order of several hundred thousand soldiers, are probably, you know, a figure that would be required.” (Committee On Armed Services, U.S. Senate, Hearing, 2/25/03)

MEDIA CORRECTS THE RECORD

Shinseki “Completed His Full Term Of Chief Of Staff And Retired On Schedule.” BRIT HUME, FOX NEWS ANCHOR: “John Kerry insisted today, as he has repeatedly over the past year, that the Army's former Chief of Staff General Eric Shinseki was forced into early retirement for saying, in the run up to the war for Iraq, that not enough troops were set to be deployed to the region. Kerry said Shinseki is among the administration officials who, quote, ‘lost their jobs for telling the truth.’ But Shinseki was not forced out. He completed his full term of chief of staff and retired on schedule. However, his successor's name did come out a year ahead of the time, which his supporters say diminished Shinseki's influence in his final year.” (Fox News’ “Special Report With Brit Hume,” 9/20/04)

Shinseki’s Retirement Was Announced Well Before He Criticized Iraq Troop Levels. WILLIAM SCHNEIDER, CNN SENIOR POLITICAL ANALYST: “Kerry also said General Shinseki was forced to retire as a result of his criticism of troop levels in Iraq, but his retirement was announced in April of 2002, and he made the statement, his criticism of troop levels, in 2003.” (CNN’s “NewsNight,” 10/1/04)

John Kerry’s Assertion That Shinseki Was Fired Is “Factual Mistake.” ED HENRY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: “Also, there was at least one factual mistake in the speech. John Kerry noted at one point that General Shinseki, the former Army chief of staff, was fired for not providing the right answers that President Bush was looking for in terms of troop levels, but, in fact, Shinseki retired on his own.” (CNN’s “News From CNN,” 9/8/04)