On November 1st…

La Shawn Barber cannot be said to be “in the tank” for John Kerry.

Nonetheless, she’s arguing that John Kerry made a faux pas; botched a joke; didn’t mean to insult the troops.

Now I read that Senator Kerry has issued an apology.

It was really all about Bush, he says.

It is certainly possible that someone wrote a speech for Mr. Kerry which contained witticisms directed at the President’s intellectual achievements… though both Mr. Kerry’s college record and his repeated rhetorical missteps suggest that, perhaps, he shouldn’t throw stones.

So… why am I not convinced?

Patterns of behavior.

Senator Kerry, after all, lied about his fellow troops in 1971 during the Senate hearings. He lied about his service in Cambodia. He accused American troops of Iraq of terrorizing children.

He’s done it before.

He also refused to apologize “out of the gate”; his first press conference was anything but apologetic.

Given that Senator Kerry is, to quote Ms. Barber,

… an arrogant, dishonest, unprincipled, pandering, condescending expensive suit. … a liar…

why should I believe that he didn’t mean to be arrogant, pandering, condescending?

I can believe his speechwriter didn’t mean to insult the troops. But I also believe Kerry read what his speechwriter believed… and said what HE believed.

Patterns of behavior.

UPDATE:  Eric isn’t convinced either, Ms. Barber.