Kerry's Anti-War Record Discussed at White House Briefing

2/10/2004 | Jeff Gannon

[Jeff Gannon]

This was the exchange at today's White House press briefing, much of which focused on George W. Bush's service records with the National Guard.

JEFF GANNON (Talon News): Since there have been so many questions about what the President was doing over 30 years ago, what is it that he did after his honorable discharge from the National Guard?

Did he make speeches alongside Jane Fonda, denouncing America's racist war in Vietnam?

Did he testify before Congress that American troops committed war crimes in Vietnam?

And did he throw somebody else's medals at the White House to protest a war America was still fighting?

What was he doing after he was honorably discharged?

MR. McCLELLAN: We've already commented on some of his views relating back to that period the other day. And, obviously, this was a time period also when he was going to get his MBA at Harvard. But the President was certainly proud to serve in the National Guard.

TERRY MORAN (ABC NEWS): And would the White House consider those actions by Senator Kerry, that Jeff mentions fair game in the political season?

MR. McCLELLAN: Terry, I think -- I know that that's a way to try to draw us into a Democratic primary that is ongoing.

[Jorge]

Dean destroyed Dean with help from the media who couldn't ignore the implosion.

This is true.
But go back and follow chain of events leading to Dean's implosion.
You will see that LONG before Dean imploded the Republicans were characterizing him as a lose cannon, and a nut case ready to explode, laughing at him and savoring the prospect of him being nominated, EVEN WHEN he was way ahead in the polls.

The media picked up on this, the Dems started getting nervous about him and started noticing the EXACT same things about him. Then his poll numbers started dropping in Iowa.

When he attacked the Republican old man in a townhall meeting, and then gave that nutso concession speech he became OBVIOUSLY what the Republicans had be saying all along about him. Unelectable.

I think a better strategy would be to encourage a longer dem primary season. We should be helping Dean now, if possible, and hurting Kerry so there is more incentive for them to trash each other. It also diverts their money defending themselves from each other. What we'd love is a wide open contest through the summer. Unfortunately, its already over and Kerry will get it.

It's too late to help Dean. The only one left to benefit would be Edwards. And Edwards has the least skeletons in his closed and acts nicer and more civilized than the rest. We don't want to help him.

[JamesA]

WONDERFUL

[lysie]

Well said.

[weegee]

Way to go!

[Wolfstar]

The 60's radicals are aging (as are we all). Most are in their late 50's and older. Time is running out on them. If Kerry can be defeated, he may well be the last of those radicals ever to run for president. Electing one, Bill Clinton, was one too many, in my opinion.

One of my big frustrations with the current political scene is how Bill Clinton has escaped any blame for 9/11. Yet as sure as night follows day, 9/11 resulted from Clinton's monumentally weak, negligent foreign policy. GWB gets to carry all the burdens, and suffer the slings and arrows of all the second-guessing. And Clinton gets a pass.

Typical of the 60's radicals. They created havoc and left a torn nation in their wake, but never accepted the blame or responsibility for their actions. In my view, a President Kerry would be far worse than Bill Clinton, because Kerry is a true ideologue, whereas Clinton was just a cunning good-time Charlie who made it big.

[BlessedByLiberty]

Your explanation of the reason the Left hates President Bush is excellent. However I would add that another reason for their hatred is that he is quite simply the polar opposite of their ideal, Bill Clinton.

President Bush has integrity, determination and true courage. Bush restored honor, the work ethic and dignity to the White House.

Through his disgusting apologies around the world, Clinton damaged the American people by his constant portrayals of US as inbred racist money grubbing hicks. The same portrayal Hollywood fabricates for mass, universal consumption. Perhaps that describes his family but not the rest of America.

[Bigg Red]

LADY GOP, you are not living up to your name in using such unladylike language. Please....

[padfoot_lover]

SWEET!

Jeff, thank you!

[MEG33]

Way To Go,Jeff!

[BlessedByLiberty]

...The 60's radicals are aging (as are we all). Most are in their late 50's and older. Time is running out on them. If Kerry can be defeated, he may well be the last of those radicals ever to run for president...

From your fingers to God's ears!

Thank you and Mr. Gannon for your concise language.

[Bigg Red]

Excellent, Jeff! Thank you. (BTW I've got Gannon blood on me mother's side ;-)

Thanks for the flag, OWF

[tgslTakoma]

Salud!

[prairiebreeze]

Bump Again! You're on a great roll tonight

Prairie

[CobaltBlue]

Why would Kerry hide the fact that he's Jewish? And why would it matter to you if he was Jewish? But he's not Jewish. He's Catholic.

[prairiebreeze]

You might be interested in this website that's recently gone up.

http://www.conservativesforbush.com/

Prairie

[SpinyNorman]

Why is it I seem to think he is saying "pull my finger" in that picture? LOL!

[kayak]

I haven't had a chance to read all the comments so accept my apologies if this has already been asked/answered.

Will hits to your website be beneficial to you or swamp your server (FR has been known to do that ... LOL!)?

If you need the hits, then I recommend that we all bookmark your site and check it out daily. That should increase your traffic by just a wee bit ... or two.

[plain talk]

Republicans had virtually nothing to do with it and didn't need to. It was all self-evident for everyone to see. Dean kept stepping in it every time he opened his mouth.

What we would like is for an extended dem primary and for Dean, Edwards and Kerry to get into more close inside punching. Edwards is of little use because he's too nice. Dean's the pit bull.

[tgslTakoma]

Good move, Dan. Also consider scanning any interesting photos into your computer, for future use as needed.

[hoosiermama]

Wanted to make sure you all saw this.