Dumb Move

So much is being made of John Kerry's grades from Yale, which he just released for the first time, along with his Navy records. The fact that his grades were lower than GWB's seems to be what the GOP'ers are all crowing about. What I can't understand is why it took him so long to release these transcripts. Part of what the public found so off-putting about Kerry, according to polls, was his perceived air of superior intellectualism. This information about his grades at Yale could only have helped his image.

What I REALLY can't understand is why it took Kerry so long to release his Navy records. When the Swift Boats Vets started in on Kerry, the best thing for him to have done would have been to release these records, as he was being called on by everyone to do. Instead, he dug in, stubbornly refusing to give in. This fueled claims by his opponents that he had something to hide in these records. He went on to lose the election. Now, the records show that his military career was as distinguished as he claimed it was, with no bombshells hidden in the file. Stupid move. Whoever advised Kerry not to release those records probably cost him the election.