[NormsRevenge]

President Bush (news - web sites) salutes a Marine guard as he exits Marine One, while leaving the airport in Waco, Texas Thursday Aug. 26, 2004 after spending a week at his home in Crawford, Texas. Bush opens seven days of nonstop campaigning leading up to the Republican convention in New York, competing for attention in New Mexico with John Kerry (news - web sites)'s running mate, John Edwards (news - web sites).(AP Photo, Jerry Larson)

[KansasGirl]

Politicians should not be regulating free speech.

[ladtx]

They can start cleaning up this mess by deep sixing the McCain-Feingold fiasco.

[BufordP]

Just heard this reported on KFI radio. (Listening on the internet.) They said Bush plans on going after the SwiftVets for Truth. That cannot be right!?

[TommyDale]

If McCain has a problem with the political climate this year, he needs to look in the mirror to find the blame. He and Russ Feingold are 100% at fault. I suggest that McCain and Feingold go back and re-think this ridiculous legislation, and come back with a new bill that provides for full disclosure.

[NeoCaveman]

John McCain. I wish he was on our side.

[dawn53]

From everything I've heard and read, absolutely nothing will be done about the 527's this year.

Good news, we get to keep seeing the Swiftvet ads...bad news, we have to watch the Dem celebrity bits, LOL.

[Eva]

This is the dumbest move that Bush has made. You cannot silence the 527s, you can only get rid of the campaign finance reform, which in itself would not eliminate the 527s. It's too late. Censorship is for dictators of all stripes, not democracies.

[TomGuy]

GWB needs to stay silent on this issue.

If he tries to shut down the 527's, that is censorship.

The SBV's are exercising their rights to free speech.

Asking McCain to get involved is not a good move at all.

[WestTexasWend]

"Mr. President, I'm very upset with the ads we're seei..."

"So am I, John, and I hold you personally responsible, so either clean up your mess or throw it out. And no more whining or your convention spot goes to Barney."

(I can dream, can't I?)

[ServesURight]

Bad move, Mr. President. You already signed CFR, which you thought would get rid of soft money but it only succeeding in shutting up conservative voices while liberals exploit the loopholes.

You've already denounced all the 527s. Just leave it at that and focus on Kerry's lackthereof Senate record while the Swiftvets do the dirty work.

[Mr. Mojo]

Gee McCain, who could've possibly forseen this sort of thing happening when you and your fellow leftist Feingold were on that "soft money" crusade?

[Dog Gone]

This makes no sense to me. I'm sure the White House would like full control of all political ads, but they can't be blind to the damage the Swifties have done to Kerry.

Maybe this is just posturing because there's not enough time before the election to do anything judicially or legislatively.

[CROSSHIGHWAYMAN]

Want to solve the problem?

Repeal McCain/Feingold and stop limiting freedom of speech.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

John McCain: First Amendment Control Commisar***........A previous assault on the rights of citizens, perpetrated last summer on the Senate floor, set the stage for the present, detestable situation. In the wake of "Dixie Chicks" singer Natalie Maines' derisive comments regarding President Bush, major radio markets, responding to an enormous outcry from their listeners, were dropping "Dixie Chicks" songs from their rosters. Caterwauling that this somehow constituted "censorship" by station owners, a Congressional hearing was convened, during which Senator John McCain (R-AZ), among others, excoriated the management of Cumulus Media, Cox Radio, and Clear Channel Radio for the "Dixie Chicks" boycott.......... ***

An Open Letter to Senator John McCain from a Vietnam Veteran***........You carry no mandate to speak for us. Your personal feelings are yours and yours alone; but, emphatically, you do not speak for us. You spoke up to defend your friend and your friend has turned your words into talking points. It is truly reprehensible how the Kerry campaign and the mainstream media are hiding so cynically behind your condemnation of the Swiftvets, using your statement as an excuse to dismiss their claims as baseless, smear politics. Honestly, Senator, did you really intend to provide this kind of cover for those who are so desperate to prevent the truth from coming out?

With all due respect, since you weren't there to observe John Kerry first hand as were these Swiftvets, may I humbly suggest that the honorable thing for you to do, is to stay out of this fight and allow them and us to have our voice.........***

[js1138]

I really believe Bush does not want to make free speech illegal; he wants top call attention to the failure of CFR. He also wants to call attention to the fact that the dem 527s are supported by millionaires, corporations and unions, whereas the SwiftVets are supported by tens of thousands of individuals.

Political reality forces the Republicans to approach ths from the back door. The goal is to get their words in print without the press being able to twist them.

[kellynla]

Since when is "free speech" wrong?
If the Swiftees are lying then sue them or put a muzzle on it and quit complaining!! LMAO

[P-Marlowe]

Nothing like consulting with the Devil on how to stop people from sinning.

[VadeRetro]

McCain, R-Ariz., has called on Bush to condemn the anti-Kerry ads, even as he is actively supporting Bush's re-election. McCain told The New York Times that he plans to personally "express my displeasure" to the president, the paper reported Thursday.

Has he expressed his displeasure over Moveon.org, Michael Moore, George Soros, and the Tides Foundation?

[diamond6]

If this makes you angry, as it does me, call:

White House numbers:

Comments: 202-456-1111
Switchboard:202-456-1414
FAX: 202-456-2461

TTY/TDD

Comments: 202-456-6213
Visitors Office: 202-456-2121

E-Mail
President George W. Bush: president@whitehouse.gov
Vice President Richard Cheney: vice.president@whitehouse.gov