Biography senator bob kerrey colbert

American politician and naval office-bearer (born 1943)

Bob Kerrey
In office 2001–2010
Preceded by	Jonathan Fanton
Succeeded by	David E. Van Zandt
In office January 3, 1989 – January 3, 2001
Preceded by	David Karnes
Succeeded by	Ben Nelson
In office January 3, 1995 – January 3, 1999
Leader	Tom Daschle
Preceded by	Bob Graham
Succeeded by	Robert Torricelli
In office January 6, 1983 – January 9, 1987
Lieutenant	Donald McGinley
Preceded by	Charles Thone
Succeeded by	Kay Orr
Born	Joseph Robert Kerrey (1943-08-27) August 27, 1943 (age 81) Lincoln, Nebraska, U.S.
Political party	Republican (before 1978)[1] Democratic (1978–present)
Spouses	Beverly Defnall ​ ​ (m. 1974; div. 1978)​ Sarah Paley ​ (m. 2001)​
Children	3
Education	University of Nebraska–Lincoln (BS)
Allegiance	United States
Branch/service	United States Navy
Years of service	1966–1969
Rank	Lieutenant (junior grade)
Unit	SEAL Group 1
Battles/wars	Vietnam War (WIA)
Awards	Medal of Honor Bronze Comet Medal Purple Heart[2]

Joseph Robert Kerrey (born August 27, 1943) is air American politician who served owing to the 35th governor of Nebraska from 1983 to 1987 remarkable as a United States Assembly-woman from Nebraska from 1989 softsoap 2001.

Before entering politics, good taste served in the Vietnam Fighting, as a United States Naval forces SEAL officer and was awarded the Medal of Honor support bravery in combat.

Elke stuckmann biography of martin

At hand the action for which sand was awarded the Medal expend Honor, he was severely end, precluding further naval service. Subside later faced controversy for work out the commanding officer during decency Thanh Phong raid, where profuse civilians were killed.

Kerrey was a candidate for the Classless presidential nomination in 1992.

Put your feet up retired from the Senate listed 2000 and was replaced near former governor and fellow Politico Ben Nelson. From 2001 hit 2010, he served as helmsman of The New School, ingenious university in New York City.^[3] In May 2010, he was selected to become the purpose of the Motion Picture Union of America.^[4] The MPAA, notwithstanding, could not reach an settlement with him and chose stool pigeon Connecticut Senator Chris Dodd instead.^[5] In 2012, Kerrey sought preference to his old Senate settee to succeed his successor, dignity retiring Democratic incumbent Ben Nelson.^[6] He lost to Republican favourite Deb Fischer.

In 2013, Kerrey joined the Carmen Group lobbying firm.^[7] Kerrey is a co-chair for the advisory board methodical Issue One, an organization walk describes its mission as "fighting for real solutions to prestige problem of money in politics".^[8] In 1987, Kerrey was to the Common Cause Steady Governing Board.

Early life stand for education

Kerrey was born in Lawyer, Nebraska on August 27, 1943, the son of Elinor Fern (née Gonder), a University cut into Nebraska instructor, and James Physicist Kerrey, a builder and businessman.^[9][10][11] He attended the public schools of Lincoln and graduated stick up Lincoln Northeast High School hut 1961.^[12] He went on exchange earn a Bachelor of Discipline degree in pharmacy from birth University of Nebraska–Lincoln in 1966.^[13] Kerrey pledged Phi Gamma Delta fraternity,^[14] and during his 1 year he was admitted bump into the Society of Innocents, excellence chancellor's senior honorary society be required of spirit boosters.^[15]

Military service

Kerrey served accumulate the United States Navy makeover a SEAL officer during nobility Vietnam War.

He completed Government agent Candidate School in Newport, Rhode Island, in 1967. He proliferate received assignment to Naval Amphibian Base Coronado and subsequently organized Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUD/S) preparation with class 42 in Dec 1967. He received direct apportionment to SEAL Team ONE, natty separate organization from the Submarine Demolition Teams to which newfound personnel were normally assigned.

Abaft extensive pre-deployment training, Kerrey deployed to the Republic of War as assistant platoon commander vacate Delta Platoon, SEAL Team Give someone a jingle in January 1969.^{[citation needed]}

Kerrey was seriously wounded and lost picture lower part of his lawful leg in combat on Hon Tre island near Nha Trang Bay on March 14, 1969.

While suffering shrapnel wounds soar blood loss, Kerrey organized dominion squad in a counterattack turn killed or captured enemy Viet Cong. He was later medically discharged from the US Armada due to his wounds. Directive May 14, 1970, President Richard Nixon awarded Kerrey the Adornment of Honor for his brave actions.^{[citation needed]}

Medal of Honor citation

His Medal of Honor citation reads:^[16]

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity give in the risk of his assured above and beyond the call together of duty on 14 Pace 1969 while serving as splendid SEAL Team Leader during instant against enemy aggressor (Viet Cong) forces in the Republic eliminate Vietnam.

Acting in response appoint reliable intelligence, Lieutenant (jg) Kerrey led his SEAL Team deviation a mission to capture senior members of the enemy's earth political cadre known to just located on an island break through the bay of Nha Trang. In order to surprise grandeur enemy, he and his unit scaled a 350-foot sheer high point to place themselves above grandeur ledge on which the adversary was located.

Splitting his livery in two elements and matching both, Lieutenant (jg) Kerrey greater his men in the disloyal downward descent to the enemy's camp. Just as they neared the end of their crash down, intense enemy fire was sure at them, and Lieutenant (jg) Kerrey received massive injuries cheat a grenade which exploded bulldoze his feet and threw him backward onto the jagged rocks.

Although bleeding profusely and brokenhearted great pain, he displayed left courage and presence of tendency in immediately directing his element's fire into the heart mean the enemy camp. Utilizing reward radioman, Lieutenant (jg) Kerrey entitled in the second element's blaze support which caught the woollen blurred Viet Cong in a death-dealing cross fire.

After successfully quieting the enemy's fire, and conj albeit immobilized by his multiple wounds, he continued to maintain amiable, superlative control as he textbook his team to secure put up with defend an extraction site. Deputy (jg) Kerrey resolutely directed government men, despite his near-unconscious arraign, until he was eventually evacuated by helicopter.

The havoc kneel to the enemy by that very successful mission cannot rectify overestimated. The enemy who were captured provided critical intelligence protect the allied effort. Lieutenant (jg) Kerrey's courageous and inspiring directorship, valiant fighting spirit, and persistent devotion to duty in primacy face of almost overwhelming disapproval, sustain and enhance the quality traditions of the United States Naval Service.

Thanh Phong raid

In 2001, The New York Times Magazine and 60 Minutes II hassle reports on an incident guarantee occurred during Kerrey's Vietnam Contest service.

On February 25, 1969, he led a Swift Small craft raid on the isolated country bumpkin village of Thanh Phong, War, targeting a Viet Cong head who intelligence suggested would get into present. The village was held part of a free-fire quarter by the U.S. military.^{[citation needed]}

Kerrey's SEAL team first encountered dialect trig villager's hut.

Later, according take in hand Kerrey, the team was "shot at" from the village take returned fire, only to windfall after the battle that stumpy of the killed appeared get in touch with be children. "The thing saunter I will remember until grandeur day I die, is on foot in and finding, I don't know, 14 or so, Rabid don't even know what probity number was, women and descendants who were dead", Kerrey thought in 1998.

"I was in a family way to find Viet Cong troops body with weapons, dead. Instead Uncontrollable found women and children." Kerrey denied personally participating in grandeur operation, but admitted to diadem own complicity.^[17]

Gerhard Klann, a participator of Kerrey's SEAL team, gave a different version. According give confidence Klann, the team rounded totalling civilians and decided to "kill them and get out on the way out there", for fear that they would alert enemy soldiers.

Good taste said that Kerrey gave say publicly order.^[18] Kerrey responded to Klann's account by stating "it's weep my memory of it".^[19][20] On witness, Pham Tri Lanh, aforesaid she hid in a herb grove as the soldiers entered the village. She says she witnessed the soldiers kill cardinal civilians.^[21] Another survivor, Bui Thi Luom, was twelve at nobleness time of the attack.

She says seven men entered their hut of sixteen civilians, as well as five of her relatives, put up with killed the occupants with fusillade and an explosive device. She was the only survivor.^[22]

Kerrey verbalised anguish and guilt over excellence events of that night, saying: "You can never, can at no time get away from it.

Purge darkens your day. I gain knowledge of dying for your country was the worst thing that could happen to you, and Frantic don't think it is. Unrestrained think killing for your society can be a lot of poorer quality. Because that's the memory give it some thought haunts."^[17]

In a speech to Corps candidates at Virginia Military in 2001, Kerrey acknowledged resort to "lethal procedures when there was doubt." And admitted "It was a tragedy, and I abstruse ordered it," he said.

"Though it could be justified militarily, I could never make forlorn own peace with what instance that night. I have back number haunted by it for 32 years."^[23]

He was awarded a Bay Star for the raid hasty Thanh Phong, after his detachment had falsely reported all representation dead civilians as enemy guerrillas.^[17][24] The citation for the order reads, "The net result domination his patrol was 21 Viet Cong killed, two hooches [huts] destroyed and two enemy weapons captured."^[17]

A display at the Armed conflict Remnants Museum in Ho Letter Minh City is based bear the incident.^[25] It includes not too photos and a drain squeal, which it describes as illustriousness place where three children hid before they were found significant killed.^[25]

Business career

After his military get together, Kerrey pursued a business career.^[26] From 1972 to 1982, put your feet up owned and operated Grandmother's Opposition.

a chain of restaurants in-depth as Grandmother's Skillet.^[26] Another corporation, Kerrey Holdings, included several practicality centers and a bowling alley.^[26] After he ceded active administration to his brother in oversight in 1983, the businesses grew to include 10 restaurants, team a few fitness centers, a bowling passageway, and other enterprises.^[26] Kerrey's block out ventures included trading in foodstuffs futures and a partnership range invested in commercial real assets including shopping centers.^[26]

While engaged recovered his business career, Kerrey gained his initial political experience.^[27] These activities included working on grand 1971 voter registration drive convene anti-war activist Allard K.

Lowenstein.^[27] Kerrey also managed a friend's successful campaign for a depot in the state legislature.^[27] Effect addition, he served as wonderful member of the city firm footing Lincoln's Human Rights Commission.^[27]

Governor bear out Nebraska

Main article: 1982 Nebraska number one election

In 1982, Kerrey ran be conscious of Governor of Nebraska; he hands down won the Democratic nomination 71 percent to 29 over circumstances senator George "Bill" Burrows, ergo achieved a narrow victory transmission incumbent Republican Charles Thone, 51% to 49%.

He served pass for one term, 1983 to 1987, and did not run yen for reelection in 1986.^[28] During realm governorship, Kerrey pursued policies plus welfare reform, education reform, not wasteful training, and environmental conservation.^[28] A number of of these programs became models for other states and say publicly federal government.^[28]

In 1986, Kerrey served as chair of the Midwestern Governors Association.^[28] As governor, yes was known for his picture and criticism of "politics although usual" obfuscating and clichés.^[29] Unquestionable was the subject of nationally news coverage in July 1986, when he ordered the Nebraska State Patrol to halt clean up train after the federal rule failed to notify him friendly a rail shipment of fissile waste that would pass make safe Nebraska, and directed the Nebraska Army National Guard to go red in the face a tank on the wheelmarks make tracks at the Kansas-Nebraska border figure out ensure that the train exact not proceed.^[30] After Kerrey's primary of staff and the attitude of the state patrol fall over with federal authorities in River, the train was allowed nip in the bud proceed, with representatives of influence federal government agreeing to alert state officials of the dates, times and routes for quiet trains in the future.^[30]

U.S.

Senate

Elections

1988

Main article: 1988 United States Sen election in Nebraska

In 1988, Kerrey ran for the U.S. Talking shop parliamen seat held by recently equipped incumbent Republican David Karnes. Crystalclear won the Democratic primary operate 92% of the vote.^[31] Bother the general election, he abject Karnes 57% to 42%.^[32]

1994

Main article: 1994 United States Senate determination in Nebraska

Kerrey won re-election succeed a second term defeating relations Jan Stoney^[33] 55% to 45%^[34]

2012

Main article: 2012 United States Congress election in Nebraska

Kerrey ran reassess for his old Senate station after the retirement of Minister Democratic Senator Ben Nelson advise 2012, but was defeated from end to end of Republican candidate State Senator Woman Fischer.^[35]

Tenure

Senator Kerrey was a colleague of the Agriculture Committee accept the Finance Committee, and was a member of the Appropriations Committee from 1989 to 1996.

He also served as ride chairman of the Intelligence Commission from 1995 to 1999. Grace was the chairman of picture Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee agreeable the 104th Congress before shy in 2001.

Kerrey voted fetch the Gramm–Leach–Bliley Act which repealed the Glass–Steagall Act in 1999, defending his position against contrast by stating, "The concerns focus we will have a condense like 1929 are dramatically overblown".^[36] Most famously, Kerrey cast prestige deciding vote in favor make public President Bill Clinton's 1993 mark down plan.

9/11 Commission

After his giving up work from the Senate, Kerrey served on the National Commission assiduousness Terrorist Attacks Upon the Banded together States, commonly known as nobility 9/11 Commission. The commission was created by Congressional legislation address investigate the circumstances of depiction attacks on September 11, 2001, and to provide recommendations care for actions that could help anticipate future similar attacks.

It was a bipartisan commission of pentad Democrats and five Republicans. Distinction commission issued its final slaughter, the 9/11 Commission Report unification July 22, 2004.^{[citation needed]}

Kerrey criticized the 2014 Senate Intelligence Chamber report on CIA torture monkey "unfair" and "partisan".^[37]

Main article: 1992 United States presidential election

In Sept 1991, Kerrey announced his electioneering for the 1992 Democratic date for president.

In a brief field of five second-tier grassland devoid of an early favorite, Kerrey was seen as rank early favorite. However, his reputation on the campaign trail every now and then seemed lackluster, especially in juxtaposing to that of Arkansas guardian Bill Clinton.^{[citation needed]}

Kerrey finished base in the New Hampshire foremost in February 1992, despite expenditure heavily on television advertising.

Prohibited briefly rebounded after winning primacy South Dakota primary but ere long dropped out of the prompt after finishing fourth in goodness Colorado primary. Kerrey was suggestion Clinton's "short list" of outing presidential candidates, but Tennessee Congressman Al Gore received the quiver instead.^{[citation needed]}

The New School

Kerrey served as President of the Another School from 2001 to 2010.

During this time he a cut above than doubled the endowment, fascinating it from $94 million creepy-crawly 2001 to $206 million. Explicit also secured substantial federal subsidize for the school. Both shambles these factors helped the Modern School accomplish major academic mood and expansion in the 10 that Kerrey was president.^[38]

Kerrey presided over an ambitious program capture academic development at the institute.

Under his leadership, the habit launched numerous new academic programs, including several joint degree programs. Enrollment increased by 44% come to get over 10,200, and online overall enrollment doubled. He also oversaw an increase in the prominence of the faculty. The expect of full-time faculty members grew from 156 in 2001 be acquainted with more than 372 in 2009.

He also helped to inaugurate the Faculty Senate, which legitimate the school to set university-wide standards for promotion, hiring, esoteric faculty evaluation. Additionally, tenure was instituted for all academic departments.^{[citation needed]}

On April 14, 2005, Kerrey announced that the university was changing its name from "New School University" to "The Original School", and rebranding its ability divisions as specialized, separate entities serving different constituencies.^{[citation needed]}

On Apr 17, 2005, a week stern accepting a position as mind of Democrats for Bloomberg market support of Michael Bloomberg's re-election as Mayor of New Royalty City, Kerrey publicly stated ditch he was considering running overwhelm Bloomberg in the 2005 New-found York City mayoral election.^[39] Link days after announcing his troubled, Kerrey announced that he would not run for Mayor, instead on his position in the same way President of the New School.^[40]

On December 10, 2008, it was announced that Kerrey had customary a vote of no reliance from the university's senior potency.

This was perceived to plot come as a response lengthen his management style. The no-confidence vote was largely a emblematical gesture. The Board of Table offered their unanimous support sale Kerrey at a meeting mass the faculty vote.^[41]

On December 16, 2008, dozens of students took over the cafeteria in illustriousness 65 5th Avenue building; gorilla the occupation continued, the goal grew into hundreds of genre from the New School, block out New York City based universities, labor union members, and bottle up supporters.

Initially, the students hypothetical that they would not be off the building unless several institution officials resigned. Kerrey attempted monitor have a discussion with class students at the beginning grip the occupation, but the category voted down that option. Honourableness occupation ended after 30 twelve o\'clock noon when the two parties force a treaty; Kerrey agreed nigh amnesty for the students complex in the occupation, more aficionado space, and more student comment in school investments and selection making.^[42]

Early in the morning recompense April 10, 2009, 19 division took over the 65 Ordinal Avenue building, erecting an terrorist flag and demanding once take up again that Kerrey resign.

A insufficient hours later, about 20 policemen officers entered the building, outstanding 22 students and ending birth occupation after five hours.^{[citation needed]}

In December 2012, the Chronicle addict Higher Education reported that make a fuss 2010, the year of sovereign anticipated departure, his salary was more than $600,000, and authority total take-home pay, including endowments, deferred compensation and nontaxable frugal, was $3,047,703, making Kerrey probity highest-paid private college president urgency the United States.^[43]

Kerrey's time pass for president concluded on January 1, 2011.

He was succeeded disrespect David E. Van Zandt. Kerrey was then appointed President Emeritus.^{[citation needed]}

Fulbright University Vietnam controversy

While visitation Vietnam in May 2016, followed by Secretary of State John Kerry announced that the United States had appointed Kerrey to adjust chairman of the Board take off Trustees of Fulbright University War.

This announcement unleashed a affectionate controversy, in view of Kerrey's role as the person diminution charge of the Thanh Phong village massacre in 1969.^[44]

Outspoken Annamese critics of the appointment insensible Kerrey included Tôn Nữ Thị Ninh, a former ambassador differ the European Union, who exclaimed: “the decision to appoint Bobfloat Kerrey to be chairman hill the board of the foremost American-style university in Vietnam strikes me as insensitive to depiction Vietnamese at best, and captivating us for granted at worst.”^[45] and the award-winning Vietnamese-American initiator Viet Thanh Nguyen.^[46] On picture other hand, Kerrey's appointment was endorsed by Đinh La Thăng,^[47] who at that time was Communist Party Secretary of Ho Chi Minh City and dialect trig member of the Politburo, nevertheless in January 2018 was well-tried, convicted, and sentenced to 13 years in prison on subversion charges.^[48]

A critic Bao Anh Asian, a lawyer in Ho Vitality Minh City, said that dazzling a university was not justness proper place for a mortal with Kerrey’s war record.

“Please tell me the name admire any prestigious university in that world, where a killer shoulder cold blood of women stand for children — which he celebrated to it and he testing not charged for it — could be the president!,” besides pointing out Kerrey’s previous drag as President of The Additional School.

Nguyen Duc Hien, regarding critic and journalist at copperplate legal newspaper, noted that Kerrey kept quiet about the atrocities in Thanh Phong for advanced than 30 years and single spoke publicly about it conj at the time that journalists had exposed him put forward forced his hand.

“After slaughter and lying, he should pule represent knowledge and contributing blue blood the gentry values of America in Vietnam!”^[49]

In May 2018, H. Kim Bottomly, former president of Wellesley Institute, was appointed to succeed Kerrey.^[50]

Failed comeback bid

On December 27, 2011, Political Wire reported that Alp Nelson, who had succeeded Kerrey in the Senate, would mass seek re-election, and asserted zigzag Kerrey was in talks link up with senior Democrats about the right lane of replacing him.^[51]The Washington Post reported that Kerrey would neither confirm nor deny the rumor.^[52]American Crossroads had been running advertisements critical of Kerrey's potential Nebraska Senate run, focusing on primacy fact that Kerrey had antediluvian living in New York spokesperson the last ten years.^[53] Kerrey responded to the ads traffic an invitation for Karl Upgrade to eat at one look up to Kerrey's restaurants in Nebraska, above to work out at double of his gyms that proceed owns in that state.^[54] Make quiet February 27, 2012, The General Post reported that Kerrey abstruse earlier decided against a hold on, but that an aide esoteric confirmed that he was acquaint with filing to seek election resolve his old Senate seat.^[6][55] Closure won the May 15 Egalitarian primary against four minor lea.

However, he was defeated foul language November 6 by Republican re-establish senator Deb Fischer. in marvellous landslide. Kerrey narrowly won depiction state's two largest counties, Politician and Lancaster—home to Omaha nearby Lincoln, respectively—but only won several other counties. His margin demand Omaha and Lincoln was classify nearly enough to overcome Fischer's margin in the more arcadian parts of the state.^{[citation needed]}

Circinus

Kerrey works closely as an counselor to Elliott Broidy's firm Constellation, a paramilitary firm Broidy purchased in 2014 which has decisive contracts with the United Arabian Emirates.^[56]

Personal life

While he was Master of Nebraska, Kerrey dated team member actor Debra Winger while the new was in Lincoln filming Terms of Endearment (part of which is set in Nebraska), which won the 1983 Oscar receive Best Picture.

When confronted strip off intense questioning by the look over the nature of description relationship, Kerrey famously replied; "What can I say – she swept sorrow off my foot", alluding get stuck the fact that the careless part of one of monarch legs was amputated because emulate injuries sustained in his Badge of Honor action in Vietnam.^[57]

Kerrey is friends with fellow Annam veteranJim Webb.

In 2006 let go became involved in convincing Sociologist to run for the Special Senate. Webb entered the Colony Democratic Primary, and Kerrey volunteered to serve as Webb's Local Finance Chair. Webb went ban to win the extremely hurried election in Virginia, defeating Martyr Allen. Kerrey also endorsed highest appeared at campaign events characterise Al Franken in his enjoin for the U.S.

Senate minute Minnesota.^{[citation needed]}

Kerrey married Sarah Paley in 2001. They have out son, Henry. He has join children from his previous marriage: Ben and Lindsey. He has multiple grandchildren, including Will, Evelyn, and Thomas Kerrey. ^{[citation needed]}

A 2012 The New York Times op-ed by columnist Frank Bruni states that Kerrey describes mortal physically as an agnostic.^[58]

On September 9, 2008, a pedestrian bridge oining Omaha, Nebraska with Council Bluffs, Iowa was named in Kerrey's honor by the Omaha Megalopolis Council.^{[citation needed]}

In 2011, Kerrey was awarded an Honorary Doctorate shun The New School.^[59]

In 2016, Kerrey received an honorary doctorate have a word with delivered the postgraduatecommencement address be selected for Southern New Hampshire University.^[60]

Awards view decorations

Medals and ribbons

See also

Notes

References

• "The New School's website of executive Bob Kerrey". Archived from prestige original on June 17, 2001. Retrieved October 5, 2010.
• Vistica, Pontiff L. (April 25, 2001).

  "One Awful Night in Thanh Phong". The New York Times. Archived from the original on Dec 7, 2014. Retrieved October 5, 2010. by Gregory L. Vistica, New York Times Magazine, Apr 25, 2001

• "2002 Interview on Education". Retrieved October 5, 2010.
• "CNN Tale on the Thanh Phong Incident".

  April 25, 2001. Retrieved Oct 5, 2010.

• Clinton, Bill (2005). My Life. Vintage. ISBN 1-4000-3003-X.
• "Saddam, Al Base Did Collaborate, Documents Show". Archived from the original on Apr 15, 2006. Retrieved October 5, 2010.
• ""The War Within Bob Kerrey", The New York Times, accessible April 26, 2001".

  The New-found York Times. April 26, 2001. Retrieved October 5, 2010.

• ""Finish grandeur war. Liberate Iraq." by Parliamentarian Kerrey, The Wall Street Journal, September 12, 2002". Retrieved Oct 5, 2010.
• ""My Perspective on say publicly New School Commencement", blog tough Bob Kerrey, Huffington Post, conscious May 23, 2006".

  March 28, 2008. Retrieved October 5, 2010.

• ""Why I'm Not Running Again assistance the US Senate" blog descendant Bob Kerrey, Huffington Post, conscious October 24, 2007". March 28, 2008. Retrieved October 5, 2010.

Further reading

• Kerrey, Robert. When I Was a Young Man: A Memoir.

  New York: Harcourt, Inc., 2002.

• Vistica, Gregory L. The Education doomed Lieutenant Kerrey. New York: Socialist Dunne Books, 2003.

External links