THERE’S A NEW ANTI-KERRY AD FEATURING FORMER VIETNAM P.O.W.s that the Kerry campaign will find it hard to respond to, since it’s built around his 1971 Congressional testimony. It certainly seems to contradict the way he presented his Vietnam service at the Convention. And unlike the Purple Heart issue, there’s no dispute here about what happened. (Via Powerline).

And The Mudville Gazette offers background on the former P.O.W.s who appear in the ad. I think it’s going to be hard to spin this one away, though of course people will try. Basic problem: “This is devastating. The day after John Kerry complains about having his war service questioned, the new ad underscores how Kerry did far worse to thousands of vets. Kerry built himself up over the years into a brave captain traveling deep into Cambodian waters to run guns, drop off SEALs and CIA men (hatless) etc. He did so after condemning a generation of soldiers and Marines as war criminals.”

UPDATE: Roger Simon: “These veterans are furious with Kerry for implying, essentially, that they were all William Calleys. . . . Kerry’s words in the ad are extremely harsh. Now I wonder… even more than I previously did… why the Senator chose to base his campaign on his Vietnam service.”

ANOTHER UPDATE: These guys have to be working for Karl Rove:

HANOI, Vietnam (AP) — Vietnam veterans supporting John Kerry for president made their case Friday in the heart of what was once enemy territory.

Calling President Bush a draft dodger, the veterans in Hanoi donned T-shirts emblazoned with “Americans Overseas for Kerry” and showing Bush’s face with a line crossed through it.

This seems unlikely to benefit Kerry. Meanwhile, Beldar does some sleuthing! And here’s a Micah Wright sighting!