Round Two of White House Press Corps Smear Campaign; Kerry's 1992 Statements Discussed

2/11/2004 | Jeff Gannon

[Jeff Gannon]

JEFF GANNON (Talon News): In 1992, John Kerry stood on the Senate floor and said, "I am saddened by the fact that Vietnam has yet again been inserting into the campaign and that it has been inserted in what I feel to be the worst possible way."

And he went on to say later on, "We do not need to divide America over who served and how."

Are you going -- is this White House and this candidate, President Bush, going to hold him to those remarks and put an end to this now?

MR. McCLELLAN: First of all, this President is focused on our nation's priorities. He is focused on confronting the threats that we face, as I spoke about earlier. And he's going to be talking more about that this afternoon. Obviously, there continues to be a Democratic primary going on, and the Democrats will select their nominee. And I think the American people, right now, want this White House to continue to do what it is doing, which is focusing on their priorities. Like I said, we are some nine months out from election day. There's going to be plenty of time to -- plenty of time --

JEFF GANNON (Talon News): Don't you regard his statements from his --

MR. McCLELLAN: Hold on. There's going to be plenty of time to talk about--

JEFF GANNON (Talon News): -- likely challenger to be the end of this all?

MR. McCLELLAN: There's going to be plenty of time to talk about the choices we face and the statements people have made. The President certainly is someone who does what he says he is going to do and someone who means what he says. And I think that's reflected in the actions he takes.

JEFF GANNON (Talon News): Is he offended by the accusations and insinuations from people who have never served in the military? And especially from leaders of a party who nominated a candidate in 1992 and 1996 that avoided military service altogether?

MR. McCLELLAN: I would just say, again, that it is sad to see some stoop to this level, to say anything or try to do anything for political gain. The American people deserve better.

[AppyPappy]

But that was then. This is now.

[thesummerwind]

You should have just gotten it over with, and stood up with a picture of Kerry and Fonda. Quit sugarcoating it. Kerry is nothing but a FRAUD.!!!!!!!!!!!

[Eric in the Ozarks]

With a mug like Kerry's, its easy being two-faced.

[Miss Marple]

Hey, could I start your fan club? I bet we could get 100 members really fast!

[Seeking the truth]

No quick KO's here, Jeff.

We need a gory, 15 round distance job with lots of knockdowns, 8 counts, swollen eyes, cut man workin' hard, mouthpiece flying out ....type of victory.

You know what I mean!

[STFrancis]

SWEET QUESTIONS!!!!

Hopefully you'll be in a LOT of press conferences. Wish you could be No.1 or 2 in one of those PRIMETIME conferences.... So EVERYONE can hear ya...

[Republican Red]

Sign me up for the fan club.

Thanks for your work!

[mystery-ak]

I'll sign uo to be the second member...

[cwb]

It sounds to me as if the media wants to beat up on Bush via the Dems talking points, while at the same time, demanding that Bush not do the same to Kerry, based on his 1992 comments.

[cat lover too]

Thank you very much for your valid questions. You are much appreciated here! Keep up the good work.

[PISANO]

Keep up the good work for our side Jeff.

[LiteKeeper]

INTREP - Hypocrite ALERT - VNVAJK

[Jeff Gannon]

For nearly a year I have been there, doing what I do.

Thanks for your kind words of support. Be sure to tune in to "Jeff Gannon's Washington" on RIGHTalk.com when we come back on the air in a few weeks.

It will be THE source for quotes and clips from the Daily White House press briefings that the public never hears.

[cat lover too]

Hi there mystery,
First of all please thank your husband Mike for all of us.

Second, has he said anything about the reactions of Guardsmen there regarding Kerry and the democrats comments? Thanks.

[cwb]

I should clarify...that is not what you want to do since you asked some good questions, but I can see the Dems and media tyring to innocualte Kerry from any criticism because of his 1992 comments.

[BCrago66]

Then has been posted before - and with a link.

[mystery-ak]

Yes, he and a lot of his unit are very upset over this....his Guard unit is now the longest serving in Iraq.....see his post on the letter from one of Bush's fellow pilots...post #441

[Lance Romance]

Remember Al Gore also served in Vietnam and it didn't help him. As shown with his endorsement of Dean.

I think each time Bush produces documents, it makes the mainstream media seem more petty than before.

[zygoat]

I appreciate what you do, sir. I have to wonder if any of your colleagues in the press room ever give you any inkling that they may support what you are doing.