Kerry settles scores in 2004 do-over

0 Comments | AFP, August, 2008

DENVER, Colorado (AFP) — John Kerry reported for duty four years after his mauling by Republicans on Wednesday to settle a string of unpaid scores with a withering attack on Senator John McCain.

Had the 2004 nominee shown such fight during his own race, he might have been in Denver at the Democratic National Convention seeking renomination for another four years in the White House.

But he seemed desperate to make sure that 2008 White House nominee Barack Obama would not make the same mistake -- by failing to fight off attacks on his patriotism and character which doomed his own campaign.

He also laid into his old friend and Republican presidential candidate McCain, with whom he forged a bond as both are Vietnam war veterans.

"John McCain voted with...