AP
Posted on 08/22/2004 1:09:36 AM PDT by Cincinatus' Wife
EAST HAMPTON, N.Y. (AP) -- Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry on Saturday night urged President Bush to "stand up and stop" what he called personal attacks on him over his combat record in Vietnam.
At a fund-raiser attended by about 750 people, Kerry said the attacks by a group of Vietnam veterans and former Swift Boat commanders have intensified "because in the last months they have seen me climbing in America's understanding that I know how to fight a smarter and more effective war" against terrorists.
"That's why they're attacking my credibility. That's why they've personally gone after me. The president needs to stand up and stop that. The president needs to have the courage to talk about it."
Swift Boat Veterans for Truth, a group funded in part by a top GOP donor in Texas, has been running ads featuring veterans who served in Vietnam at the same time as Kerry and question his wartime record.
The White House and the Bush campaign have denied any direct connection with the Swift Boat group. "The president has made it repeatedly clear that he wants to see an end to all" advertising from outside groups, said Brian Jones, a Bush campaign spokesman.
But on Saturday, a former POW, retired Col. Ken Cordier, resigned as a volunteer from the Bush campaign's veterans' steering committee after it was learned that he participated in an anti-Kerry ad sponsored by the Swift Boat group. The ad criticizes Kerry's congressional anti-war testimony in the 1970s alleging U.S. troops engaged in atrocities in Vietnam.
"Col. Cordier did not inform the campaign of his involvement in the advertisement," the Bush campaign said in a statement. "Because of his involvement (with the group) Col. Cordier will no longer participate as a volunteer for Bush-Cheney '04."
Earlier on Saturday, Kerry's campaign released a video comparing the controversy over Kerry's Vietnam service to attacks on John McCain during the 2000 Republican primaries.
The video, sent via e-mail to supporters, says, "George Bush is up to his old tricks" and shows then-Texas Gov. Bush and Arizona Sen. John McCain at a debate in February 2000.
McCain, sitting next to Bush, says that when "fringe veterans groups" attacked him at a Bush campaign function, Bush stood by and didn't say a word. McCain says a group of senators wrote Bush a letter that said: "Apologize. You should be ashamed."
McCain, also a Vietnam veteran, says Bush "really went over the line."
"I don't know how you can understand this, George, but that really hurts," McCain says.
The Swift Boat group also was being challenged by a Chicago Tribune editor who was on the Feb. 28, 1969, mission for which Kerry received the Silver Star. William Rood, 61, said he decided to break his silence about the mission because recent reports of Kerry's actions in that battle are incorrect and darken the reputations of veterans who served with Kerry.
"The critics have taken pains to say they're not trying to cast doubts on the merit of what others did, but their version of events has splashed doubt on all of us," Rood said in a 1,700-word first-person account published in Sunday's edition of the Tribune. "It's gotten harder and harder for those of us who were there to listen to accounts we know to be untrue, especially when they come from people who were not there."
Rood said the allegations that Kerry's accomplishments were overblown are untrue and that Kerry came up with an attack strategy that was praised by their superiors. According to the Tribune, Rood's recollection of what happened that day in South Vietnam was backed by military documents.
Rood wrote that Kerry recently contacted him and other crew members, requesting that they go public with their accounts of what happened.
"I can't pretend those calls (from Kerry) had no effect on me, but that is not why I am writing this," Rood said. "What matters most to me is that this is hurting crewmen who are not public figures and who deserved to be honored for what they did. My intent is to tell the story here and to never again talk publicly about it."
Kerry also picked up support from Wayne D. Langhofer, who told The Washington Post he was manning a machine gun in a boat behind Kerry's and saw firing from both banks of a river as Kerry dived in to rescue Special Forces soldier James Rassmann, the basis for Kerry's Bronze Star.
Until now, the Post noted on its Web site, Kerry's version of acting under fire had come from crewmen on his own boat. It quoted Langhofer as saying he was approached by leaders of Swift Boat Veterans for Truth several months ago but declined to join them in speaking against Kerry.
In Roanoke, Va., on Saturday, Democratic vice presidential candidate John Edwards also called on Bush to end the Swift Boat Veterans ads.
"This is a moment of truth for George W. Bush," Edwards said at a Democratic rally. "We're going to see what kind of man he is and what kind of leader he is. ... We want to hear three words: Stop these ads."
---
On the Web:
Kerry/Edwards campaign: http://www.johnkerry.com
Bush/Cheney campaign: http://www.georgewbush.com/
And the President cannot directly intervene with any 527s. That hasn't changed yet.
The FEC could do something... But Kerry missed his chance when Bush asked him earlier this year to combine to stop 527s spending of soft money to influence this election.
Kerry is such a cry baby.
the Bush campaign should tell hamster boy
"shove it"
John F*ckin's meltdown is under a way. A winning candidate doesn't have to demand the loser make attacks stop, now does he? Kerry's on the defensive and doesn't know how to respond to the Swiftees. Hugh Hewitt says today only a long press conference in which the Senator responds on all of his lies will stop what's now underway and he thinks the Senator doesn't have the stomach to level with the American people. Its full-fledged panic in Campaign Kerry this morning.
He don't look too happy, do he?
How is Bush battling over ads?? He has said nothing except that the law should be changed and that all 527's should knock it off.
of course, the media has done just the same amount of stories on Democrat 527's... right?? **crickets chirping**
I do not support any third party ads for or against myself or john kerry.
The swiftvets.com web site and the swift vets ads are not supported or funded by me or my campaign.
This hits two birds with one stone. It shows he's against third party ads but also gets swiftvets.com in print which gets them massive exposure !
The Old Media is using the Carville focus group tested phrases to imprint on the minds of their American subjects.
It ain't gonna work this time.
They've grabbed the tar baby.
He said all that in his interview with Larry King. But it wasn't the answer Larry was looking for.
Why doesn't Kerry also demand that Michael Moore and moveon.org stop their personal attacks on Bush?
Turn out the lights, the party's over!!!!!
Actually, he may be taking the Swiftee's side. The way his story is told, it supports the point of contention that the Swiftees are making, that Kerry did NOT attack a numerically superior enemy while under intense fire. But Rood, being smart, tossed out a smoke-bomb for the media to run with.
I bet he is heartbroken over this, and more than a little miffed at being leaned on by Kerry.
Ummmm ... Why is he talking about the Swiftboat Vets and the Terrorists in the same sentence???
"This is a moment of truth for George W. Bush," Edwards said at a Democratic rally. "We're going to see what kind of man he is and what kind of leader he is. ... We want to hear three words: Stop these ads."
Tell ya what Edwards .. since you're such a big guy and all
How about YOU take the first step and tell Movon.org to stop their attack ads??
Oh Come on Johnny .. you can say it .. it's just 3 words right??
Eat me, EFFIN!
And for a long time to come, the complicty of the old media "reporters" in not reporting Kerry's lies will be an exhibit in the history of the collapse of credibility of America's media elite.
Looks like Anthony Bates in Psyco and Tuh ray zuhs bout to get a knife in the back.
Someone with good photoshop should slip a blade in his hand.
Is it just me, or does this sentence make no sense?
If Bush told them to stop, and they stopped, wouldn't that be further circumstantial evidence of collusion?
Looks like Kerry is poised to stab Teresa in the back.
There is a reason he is so irritated about those claims...
Kerry still has NOT come clean on Cambodia or on VVWA. Rood couldn't help him there and the media knows he can't tell the truth, if it could save his political life. There needs to be a Geraldine Ferraro type press conference in which ALL questions get answered. Its the only way to get Kerry out of the defensive. And I'm betting cents to dollars, he won't since the truth is not on his side or he would have scheduled the presser already.
I'm sure we all remember when Fahrenheit 911 came out and Bush immediately held a press conference begging Kerry to make Michael Moore stop saying mean things.
He's in the Hamptons for the weekend?
>>Is it just me, or does this sentence make no sense?<<
That's how he talks.
Staggering figure. When we look back at this week, it will be marked as the moment the old media lost its power to manage the news forever. The Internet, the blogosphere and talk radio have finally come of age.
>>When we look back at this week, it will be marked as the moment the old media lost its power to manage the news forever. The Internet, the blogosphere and talk radio have finally come of age.<<
Indeed. Indeed.
No, he hasn't. In fact, he hasn't taken a single question. Nor have any of his Band of Brothers. Not one question. And the media doesn't jump up and say "The Kerry campaign refuses to answer questions." Bah. The mask is off, bigtime.
There needs to be a Geraldine Ferraro type press conference in which ALL questions get answered. Its the only way to get Kerry out of the defensive.
He can't. It would illuminate 30+ years of con built upon con built upon con. His best bet is to have a flare up of his prostate, and quietly disappear from the presidential campaign scene, reputation seriously tarnished, but Swiftee allegations left unvalidated by the MSM.
And yet, Kerry believes that George W. Bush is the ONLY PERSON IN THE WORLD powerful enough to stop this shadowy conspiracy of rogue Swiftboat Vets.
Hey Senator, how about if you show us how you can fight a smarter, more effective war against criticism?
There's still the question of which way people think the MSM is biased? Do Dems think the media is actually biased to the RIGHT while Pubbies think it's biased to the left? As crazy as it sounds to us, there are a lot of people who actually believe the MSM is biased to the right. Did this researcher say anything about the perceived direction of bias?
Mommy, please make them stop!!! Please!!!
I think O'Neil should challenge Kerry to another debate...ya think Kerry would show up?? ha
I think the First Amendment clashes with that idea.
I think that this ad with John McCain could do some damage. Did McCain have to give his approval for kerry to run with this? While in Phoenix Bush and McCain made a show of being such good buddies. I believe that Mc Cain is the head of the re-election commitee in Arizona.
With all his warts, he is their only hope of getting back into the White House. And, as with Bill Clinton, they will lie, omit, destroy and spin their socialist hearts out for him.
___________________________________________________________________
***..........They do it not because they are themselves corrupted through material rewards. The prospect of fame is not even what drives them. Think only of Harold Ickes, personally betrayed and brutally cast aside by Clinton, who nonetheless refused to turn on him, even after the betrayal. Instead, Ickes kept his own counsel and protected Clinton, biding his time and waiting for Hillary. Then joined her staff to manage her Senate campaign.
The idealistic missionaries in this true tale bite their tongues and betray their principles, rather than betray him. They do so because in Bill Clinton they see a necessary vehicle of their noble ambition and uplifting dreams. He, too, cares about social justice, about poor people and blacks (or so he makes them believe). They will serve him and lie for him and destroy for him, because he is the vessel of their hope.
Because Bill Clinton "cares," he is the vital connection to the power they need to accomplish the redemption. Because the keys to the state are within Clinton's grasp, he becomes in their eyes the only prospect for advancing the progressive cause. Therefore, they will sacrifice anything and everything-principle, friends, country-to make him succeed.
But Bill Clinton is not like those who worship him, corrupting himself and others for a higher cause. Unlike them, he betrays principles because he has none. He will even betray his country, but without the slightest need to betray it for something else-for an idea, a party, or a cause.* He is a narcissist who sacrifices principle for power because his vision is so filled with himself that he cannot tell the difference.
But the idealists who serve him-the Stephanopoulos's, the Ickes's, the feminists, the progressives and Hillary Clinton-can tell the difference. Their cynicism flows from the very perception they have of right and wrong. They do it for higher ends. They do it for the progressive faith. They do it because they see themselves as having the power to redeem the world from evil. It is that terrifyingly exalted ambition that fuels their spiritual arrogance and justifies their sordid and, if necessary, criminal means..........*** Source
Great question..I'd like to know the answer to that too!
It is something that has really been bothering me ever since I first saw the ad.
The Big Lie BUMP
Found this on McCains website, funny how strongly he objects to these 527's since the Swifties came out with their ads...didn't see him act like this when Moveon.org was airing theirs!
MCCAIN: FEC MUST DO ITS JOB ON 527S TOMORROW
For Immediate Release
Wednesday, Aug 18, 2004
U.S. Senator John McCain (R-AZ) released the following statement again calling for the Federal Election Commission to end the illegal use of soft money in federal elections by 527 groups:
“The Federal Election Commission has one last chance on Thursday to act responsibly and adopt regulations to prevent 527 groups from illegally spending soft money to influence federal elections.
“To date, a majority of FEC Commissioners, led by Chairman Brad Smith and Vice Chair Ellen Weintraub, have turned their back on the problems with 527 groups, ignored the nation's campaign finance laws and undermined the interests and rights of the American people.
“This kind of irresponsible conduct is contrary to law and cannot be allowed to continue. Commissioners Michael Toner and Scott Thomas put forward a bipartisan proposal to address the problems with 527 groups last May and have done so again. I continue to support their efforts to address this critical issue.
“Some Commissioners claimed earlier this year that they did not want to ‘change the rules’ in the middle of an election. While I think that argument is wrong-headed and legally unsupportable, the FEC General Counsel's current proposals before the Commission would not take effect until after the 2004 election. Accordingly, that excuse for FECdelay is no longer available.
“There is no conceivable justification for the FEC to fail to act on Thursday to make clear that 527 groups who are out to influence federal elections must comply with federal campaign finance rules.
“The proposal put forward by three obstructionist Commissioners yesterday, Commissioners Smith, Weintraub and David Mason, is a travesty. They would have the FEC continue to ignore the central legal question before the FEC--what groups qualify under existing law as federal political committees, and must therefore register and use hard money for their political activities.
“The FEC has had this question before it for over three years, and it is at the heart of the 527 issue. The law and binding Supreme Court precedent are indisputable--groups whose ‘major purpose’ is to influence federal elections must register as federal political committees and comply with federal campaign finance laws, including the restrictions on the contributions they can receive.
“For these three Commissioners to refuse yet again to define when a group has to register as a federal political committee is an abdication of their sworn responsibilities, and makes a mockery of the campaign finance laws. I hope they will come to their senses and do their jobs, out of embarrassment at their failure to be responsible public officials so far, if for no other reason.”
I guess that McCain is finding out that his idea of campaign finance reform had a little overlooked flaw.
I notice the media has really downplayed his FEC complaint about the ads, and his call for the book to be withdrawn from Regnery and from bookstores. I guess even the media realizes that he sounds like a censor there.
Bump!
ARTHUR: Be quiet! I order you to be quiet!WOMAN: Order, eh? Who does he think he is? Heh.
ARTHUR: I am your king!
WOMAN: Well, I didn't vote for you.
ARTHUR: You don't vote for kings.
WOMAN:Well, how did you become King, then?
ARTHUR: The Lady of the Lake,...
[angels sing]
...her arm clad in the purest shimmering samite, held aloft Excalibur from the bosom of the water signifying by Divine Providence that I, Arthur, was to carry Excalibur.
[singing stops]
That is why I am your king!
DENNIS: Listen. Strange women lying in ponds distributing swords is no basis for a system of government. Supreme executive power derives from a mandate from the masses, not from some farcical aquatic ceremony.
ARTHUR: Be quiet!
DENNIS: Well, but you can't expect to wield supreme executive power just 'cause some watery tart threw a sword at you!
ARTHUR: Shut up!
DENNIS: I mean, if I went 'round saying I was an emperor just because some moistened bint had lobbed a scimitar at me, they'd put me away!
ARTHUR: Shut up, will you? Shut up!
DENNIS: Ah, now we see the violence inherent in the system.
ARTHUR: Shut up!
DENNIS: Oh! Come and see the violence inherent in the system! Help! Help! I'm being repressed!
ARTHUR: Bloody peasant!
No kidding!
Imagine the headlines if the situation was reversed!
What, besides the flaw of being unconstitutional?
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