Posted on 08/26/2004 8:06:56 AM PDT by NormsRevenge
It's not a matter of believing the AP. It's more a matter of "who" and "what". The "who" is "Bush" and the "what" is another brainless idea. Therefore, it has credence.
Well, there are lots of ignorant posters here that confuse the public, making it dificult for the public to make an informed decsion, so perhaps political posts 60 days prior to an election should be prohibited, for the public good.
The above the what Kerry, McCain and now Bush what?
If I recall correctly, our President is one heck of a poker player. My guess he is creating a situation where the democrats will have to oppose shutting down the 527's. President Bush will then ruefully agree that it is best to permit as much free speech as possible.
Then the volume on the squealing from the left increases as they realize they have been outfoxed once again.
RileyD, nwJ
The folly of CFR should demonstrate to everyone that McCain is a nutcase. CFR was his baby and yet it created an even bigger mess - in their eyes anyway. McCain should not be involved in drafting any legislation! And W should stop trying to placate him.
I'm beginning to think McCain is the pinsetter for Bush's strike. By calling for legislative reform, Bush can wash his hands clean of connection to Swift. McCain, it seems to me, is creating the discussion/environment in which Bush can publicly respond to the debate without responding directly to the Kerry campaign and dignifying their attacks.
Stupid Bush and backstabbing McCain. All of a sudden McCain is concerned about 527s. This is a joke they signed the legislation, they knew what was in it and they didnt say a word when Soros et.al. were spreading their hate. Note to Bush/McCain re. the Swifties: Shut up this isnt about you, let these honorable men speak and say what they want. They have the right to defend their thoughts on the highest office in the world.
Of course he does. He also knows that no matter what they do, nothing will happen in time for this election. By agreeing to work with McCain they will end up with a law that requires full disclosure and doesn't need to restrict these groups because people will be giving their money to the politicians who will be held accountable for the content. Just as it should be.
McCain started this, and he's got to be the one to fix it. It appears that the Swifties are fixing more things than just John Kerry. God bless them.
I don't want to see Kerry in the Whitehouse. But you're a fool if you think the "compassionate" conservative will fix CFR.
"What's so hard to understand?"
Isn't that the same Amendment which includes the "separation of church and state"? Go ahead and read the whole amendment - - you'll see it in there somewhere. Or maybe not. In which case that would certainly show you what the scumbag politicians think about the Constitution of the United States, wouldn't it?
Bush signed CFR, he is an ememy of free speech, the attack continues.
I agree. Bush is playing a game with the media after all their handringing over these negative ads. The media led the charge for CFR. They are leading the charge of Dem's that Bush is behind this and won't denounce them. With this move, they either have to play up the censorship angle , which A) they supported by encouraging CFR or b) admitting the Swifties have a right to speak out, themselves supported, or they have admit he is again showing leadership while JFK tries to play both sides again, "I supported 527's before I was against them."
Were Bush to play the free speech card and abolish CFR now, it would be played up as condoning negative ads and allowing the Dem's spin to continue to dominate. He knows full well nothing is going to change by his, McCain's or anyone's actions.
Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Texas-style politics. Dubya gave Kerry enough rope, and now Hanoi John has hanged himself with the Swift Vets and 527s. I expect Dubya and McCain will come out and call on Kerry to join them in shutting down ALL 527s...meaning no more MoveOn, no more ANSWER, no more Soros money helping Kerry. If Kerry is unwilling to do this, then Dubya can crank out an ad of his own saying Kerry has flip-flopped again on yet another issue. Either way, Dubya wins.
Besides, the damage has already been done to Kerry with the Swift Vets, and the book is at #1, will continue to stay at #1 through Election Day, and there is no way that either camp can force O'Neill NOT to make public appearances or go on talk shows. All of the oxygen has been completely sucked out of the Kerry campaign as he is dogged by these vets daily while Dubya can come out of the GOP convention with a decent bounce and then it's a sprint to the finish line on November 2nd.
Hell, even the FEC said it's not going to take a stance on how 527s are being used until after this election cycle. You think any sort of court action, no matter how expedidted, is going to impact said ads between now and November?
Pretty unlikely, but the Pres gets (a) the positive press that comes with taking the bold and decisive action that John Kerry, apparently, can't muster up himself to bring the MoveOn.orgs of the world to heel and (b) it's a great segue into a phase of the campaign that is John McCain-intensive.
I've said it before, I'll say it again: the parameters of the debate as they have unfolded make John McCain standing at GW's side and promoting his re-election one of the most important and effective weapons BC '04 has in it's arsenal.
He'll play a real part in winning this election, mark my words.
Interesting...you may be right...I tend to agree with another poster, that Bush is setting up the rats...condemn all 527's...the ball is now in the rats court.
It's not of consequence. There won't be a new law passed in time for the election. It's called "having an unimpeachable position." By law, Bush can't stop the Swift Boat ads. In the meantime, there's a whole lot of attention being focused on the sheer jackpot being used by the Dem 527's to oust Bush. In fairness to ABC and "Nightline", despite the fact they tried to pillory Ginsberg last night, their report spelled out CLEARLY that John Kerry has benefited astronomically more than Bush in terms of funding and frequency of negative advertising...
re: your post #67
Very well said!
Some people around here have difficulty recognizing smart politics when it smacks them in the face.
Wish I were as sanguine as you. McCain won't go for something like this. Remember that CFR restricted money to political parties. In McCain's mind IT'S ALL ABOUT RESTRICTING MONEY. He doesn't give a crap about disclosure. I see nothing good coming out of another McCain led campaign reform effort.
I think you are correct. But it irks me that he was and is willing to "play with fire" regarding freedom of speech.
That only id's him to the 2% of the population that looks at such things, to the other 98% he is the staunch republican he claims to be with his mouth, if not with his votes(and other actions).
Actually the phrase 'seperation of church and state' doesn't appear in the 1st Amendment nor anywhere else in the Constitution.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.