I disagree

If you are a politician, then managing perceptions, and managing the message, is a big part of your job. Especially if you aspire to the presidency.

I'm giving him full benefit of the doubt here on the meaning and intent of his initial remarks (Kerry's long history of harsh criticisms of the troops notwithstanding)--to me that is more or less beside the point; it's what he did as the story unfolded and grew legs that is so telling, and from my point of view, damning.