WASHINGTON — Demands for Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry to apologize directly to U.S. troops for his "stuck in Iraq" comment crossed the political aisle into his own party Wednesday, adding fuel to the growing firestorm that has sent the senator into a self-imposed campaign exile.
North Carolina Democrats "absolutely disassociate ourselves from any criticism of our troops, misunderstood or otherwise," said state party chairman Jerry Meek.
Speaking to military families in New York, Sen. Hillary Clinton called Kerry's comments Monday "inappropriate."
"Whatever the intent, Senator Kerry was wrong to say what he said," Tennessee Democratic Senate hopeful Rep. Harold Ford Jr. said. "He needs to apologize to our troops"
Ford, who is locked in a heated battle with Republican Bob Corker, spoke as GOP candidates across the country called out their Democratic opponents, demanding that they take a public stand on Kerry's comments.
"Sen. Cantwell is Sen. Kerry's host in our state," reads a press release from Mike McGavick, the Republican challenger to incumbent Washington Sen. Maria Cantwell. "She has evaded comment time and time again in this campaign. Not this time. Sen. Cantwell owes Washington's veterans and soldiers an explanation. She has taken Sen. Kerry's money. Does she also accept his comments?"
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