dxAce wrote:
No, it is not. One cannot 'dodge the draft' and be a member of the National
Guard at the same time.

However, when you petition your draft board for a deferment and get turned
down, so you're pretty sure you're going to get drafted, you can decide
to enlist in the Navy Reserves.

From the book: "John Kerry's service record indicates that on February 18,
1966, he enlisted in the United States Naval Reserves, status 'inactive',
not in the U.S. Navy. These details are conveniently left out of all
pro-Kerry biographies. Douglas Brinkley records that Kerry entered
Offer Candidate School in Newport, Rhode Island; however, again he fails
to note that Kerry was seeking to be an officer of the U.S. Naval Reserve."

--
Both Kerry and Edwards announced their candidacy near the beginning of September,
2003, so let's only count votes before then. From January, 2003, to August, 2003,
Senator Edwards didn't vote 69 out of 320 opportunities (~22%) and Senator Kerry
didn't vote 182 out of 320 opportunities (~57%). http://www.mwilliams.info/archives/001349.php