http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/061102/nyth279.html?.v=1THE VICE PRESIDENT: That is a great picture. (Applause.) Of course, he was their presidential nominee just two years ago. The titular head of the Democratic Party. Aren't we lucky he lost that election? (Applause.) I see you all remember John Kerry -- (laughter) -- the senator who voted for the $87 billion before he voted against it, the guy that was always lecturing us about "nuance." (Laughter.) He's the one, you'll recall, who last year said that American soldiers were terrorizing children in Iraq.
AUDIENCE: Booo!
THE VICE PRESIDENT: And just this week he took another swipe at the U.S. military. Here's what he said, word for word: "You know education, if you make the most of it, you study hard, you do your homework, and you make an effort to be smart, you can do well. If you don't, you get stuck in Iraq."
AUDIENCE: Booo!
THE VICE PRESIDENT: Of course, Senator Kennedy -- Kennedy, I'm sorry -- Senator Kerry -- (laughter and applause) -- come on, now. I've got to get through this speech. (Laughter.) Senator Kerry said he was just making a joke, and he botched it up. I guess we didn't get the nuance. He was for the joke before he was against it. (Laughter and applause.)
He has now apologized, and rightly so. All Americans realize that the men and women serving in Iraq aren't there because they didn't study hard or do their homework. The all-volunteer force represents the very best of this country. (Applause.) They are smart, patriotic, exceptionally well trained, and dedicated to their mission. They are heroes, and they are the pride of the United States of America. (Applause.)