“The Republicans have tried to make a practice of attacking anybody who speaks out strongly by questioning their patriotism. I refuse to have my patriotism or right to speak out questioned. I fought for and earned the right to express my views in this country.” John Kerry presses the attack against the gaggle of GOP flaks (with no military experience) casting anti-American aspersions his way, and as a result is now screaming back up the Murphometer. Unlike Daschle, Kerry seems to have learned not to back down after stating the obvious. Let’s hope it’s the start of a trend among Democratic Presidential candidates. Update: Salon posts the text of Kerry’s speech: “I don’t need any lessons in patriotism from the likes of Tom DeLay.” Fellow Dems, this is cause for hope.