Swift Boat

"Swift Boat" refers to a group of U.S. Navy veterans who served in Vietnam and became known for their political activism during the 2004 presidential election. They questioned the war hero status of Democratic candidate John Kerry, who also served in Vietnam. Their controversial ads claimed that Kerry exaggerated his military service and discredited veterans. This became a significant issue in the election, with the "Swift Boat Veterans for Truth" group challenging Kerry's reputation and integrity. The episode highlighted the intense political polarization of the time and the influence of veteran narratives in political discourse.