White House Strikes Back at Critics (over slurs re: military service record by Kerry&gang))

Yahoo! News ^ | 2/3/04 | Terence Hunt - AP

[NormsRevenge]

WASHINGTON -

The White House struck back Tuesday at Democratic critics questioning President Bush (news - web sites)'s record of military service, saying the issue "represents the worst of election-year politics."

"It is outrageous and baseless," presidential spokesman Scott McClellan said in response to suggestions that Bush shirked his military duties when he was in the Texas Air National Guard in 1972.

Military service has emerged as an issue in the campaign for the White House. Sen. John Kerry (news - web sites), the front-runner in the race for the Democratic presidential nomination, and retired Army Gen. Wesley Clark (news - web sites) are decorated veterans and remind campaign audiences of their service.

Democratic National Committee (news - web sites) Chairman Terry McAuliffe said Bush was "AWOL" during the Vietnam conflict, while former Sen. Max Cleland of Georgia has criticized Bush's service in the Texas Air National Guard. Clark has criticized Bush for his remark challenging enemy forces to "bring 'em on" earlier in postwar Iraq (news - web sites).

Bush was a pilot in the Texas guard during Vietnam but never flew in battle. "Only someone who hasn't seen war firsthand would ever say anything as fatuous as 'bring 'em on,'" Clark said earlier in the campaign.

Responding to Bush's critics, McClellan said: "The president fulfilled his duties. That's why he was honorably discharged."

"These kinds of attacks have no place in politics, and everyone should condemn them," McClellan said.

[NormsRevenge]

President Bush (news - web sites), right, stands next to a Marine officer before entering the East Room of the White House to sign a proclamation at the White House and promote the start of 'Heart Awareness Month ' Monday, Feb. 2, 2004 in Washington. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

[mattdono]

The Truth about Bush's Record: Not Heroic, Not AWOL"

[bayourod]

""Only someone who hasn't seen war firsthand would ever say anything as fatuous as 'bring 'em on,'" Clark said "

What Bush meant but didn't actually say was "Bring 'em on over in Iraq away from our families who might get hurt in the crossfire."

What Bush did was taunt the terrorist to crawl out of their holes around the world and go to Iraq to face our combat status military instead of facing local constables in the U.S.

Wes should know that the side that chooses the battleground usually wins the battle.

[PJ-Comix]

The crazy thing is that the Democrats are acting like flying a jet fighter is a safe place to be. Funny, I read about fighter jet crashes all the time.

[N. Theknow]

John Kerry is nothing more than Ted Kennedy without a dead girl in the car.

[PISANO]

Only someone who hasn't seen war firsthand would ever say anything as fatuous as 'bring 'em on,'" Clark said earlier in the campaign

Obviously the "GENERAL" has no idea of some of the musings of General George Patton.

[NormsRevenge]

Thank You for the link. A Must Read.

[NormsRevenge]

Can you imagine what Patton would say about Kerry?

[MPJackal]

"Obviously the "GENERAL" has no idea of some of the musings of General George Patton".

Clark wouldn't know Gen. Patton if he came up and slapped him. Clark is a self-serving POS.

[CyberAnt]

"Bring 'em on over in Iraq away from our families who might get hurt in the crossfire."

EXACTLY!!

[Check_Your_Premises]

"John Kerry is nothing more than Ted Kennedy without a dead girl in the car."

That is the funniest thing I have seen in about two weeks!

If I were a plagarist, that would be my new tagline... My tagline is completely original you see.

[Max7]

"John Kerry is nothing more than Ted Kennedy without a dead girl in the car."

Which reminds me of that old standard, "Where Are You, Mary Jo?" Great song.

[sinclair]

Lucky for "US" President Bush hasn't been AWOL during his military career as "COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF"!!!!
Let the DEMS chew on that one for a while.

[<1/1,000,000th%]

Clark is upset because we haven't bombed all the civilians in Iraq like he did in Yugoslavia.

And who's medals does Kerry have anyway???

[OpusatFR]

I'm disgusted with Kerry for his attitude toward the National Guard. Big Vietnam War Hero should know that NatGuards were sent to Vietnam too. (and Korea and GulfI and other wars.)

[colorado tanker]

If Bush missed a bunch of meetings he'd have to make 'em up to get enough points for an honorable discharge.

[twigs]

Apparently his own. He throw away someone else's, I believe. A very courageous act.

[mystery-ak]

Bring out the big guns...Let Rumsfeld or Myers address this attack on the Nat'l Guard, who by the way are fighting and dying in Iraq, Afghanistan and Bosina....you want to shut these people up, that's the way to do it...turn the issue around.

[CyberAnt]

I agree .. and I read one article which said Bush was "appointed" to that position. How ridiculous is that! Even I know there is a long list of men wanting to get into this training (maybe in the Guard it's less), but then pilots are THE BEST OF THE BEST. You cannot be stupid and be a pilot. This fact is what the dems want to destroy. I'm sure a lot of the general public do not realize what it takes for a person to even be chosen for pilot training.

My theory is still that McAwful's taunt of AWOL is to DESTROY THE PICTURE OF BUSH LANDING ON THE CARRIER. Terry has to somehow taint that picture .. because the public loves it. And .. Kerry's anti-America anti-war stuff needs to take a backseat.

[300winmag]

"Only someone who hasn't seen war firsthand would ever say anything as fatuous as 'bring 'em on,'" Clark said earlier in the campaign.

I saw war firthand on September 11, while watching 3000 of my neighbors being murdered. No matter how you slice it, Clark was a REMF and a "perfumed prince".