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Former Dannelly worker: Bush not AWOL [another eyewitness steps forward]

The Shot Across the Bow

It's real hard to get excited about articles such as this. It's like people stepping forward to say "GWB does not beat his wife". The problem is that the entire manufactured "crisis" was was designed by the DNC. The only good news for the Bush team is that election day is still 8 months away. There is still time to learn from their own weak response to this.

We have seen Bush on the total defensive, releasing documents when he should have just said "judge me as Commander-in-Chief" and refused to say another word. The White House failed miserably by accepting this as a legitimate story to begin with, instead of ridiculing it out of hand, chastizing the press for mentioning it, and deflecting the press onto Kerry's own outrageous behavior as an anti-war leader. It was bizarre to see the White House scrambling to answer every inane attack, while never mentioning how Bill Clinton's blatant draft-dodging was NOT an issue in 1996.

So I fail to rejoice in articles such as this. It is a depressing reminder that the campaign so far has been entirely on Kerry's terms. Bush's team can learn from this, or continue running a defensive campaign like those of Jimmy Carter, Mike Dukakis and George H.W. Bush--with similar results.

--
John Bruder, Big Sky Group (GOP Consultants)

We have seen Bush on the total defensive, releasing documents when he should have just said "judge me as Commander-in-Chief" and refused to say another word.

Personally, I would have been quite satisfied with that but...

The White House failed miserably by accepting this as a legitimate story to begin with, instead of ridiculing it out of hand, chastizing the press for mentioning it, and deflecting the press onto Kerry's own outrageous behavior as an anti-war leader.

that wouldn't work with the voters or the press. He had already been deemed arrogant and a snob, ignoring them now would have just cemented that opinion.

So I fail to rejoice in articles such as this. It is a depressing reminder that the campaign so far has been entirely on Kerry's terms.

I fail to see how our President being truthful and honest with the public, can be depressing. I would expect nothing less from a man who wrote these words...

I pray for guidance. I do not pray for earthly things, but for heavenly things, for wisdom and patience and understanding. My faith gives me focus and perspective. It teaches humility. But I also recognize that faith can be misinterpreted in the political process. Faith is an important part of my life. I believe it is important so I live my faith, not flaunt it.

My faith frees me. Frees me to put the problem of the moment in proper perspective. Frees me to make decisions that others might not like. Frees me to try to do the right thing, even though it may not poll well.

George W. Bush's book, "A CHARGE TO KEEP"

"We have seen Bush on the total defensive,"

You are 100% correct. But before you go on offense, you have to stop the other from making 1st downs.

this is a start to turning this around.

"The White House failed miserably by accepting this as a legitimate story to begin with, instead of ridiculing it out of hand, chastizing the press for mentioning it, .."

I disagree on this. If Bush can whip the tar out of this dog. It wont rise up later in the heat of the campaign. Lets hash it out now in February when it doesnt matter.

"deflecting the press onto Kerry's own outrageous behavior as an anti-war leader."

Good point. But we can go on offense on that now... See my other post "Who Really went AWOL?"

"So I fail to rejoice in articles such as this. It is a depressing reminder that the campaign so far has been entirely on Kerry's terms. Bush's team can learn from this, or continue running a defensive campaign like those of Jimmy Carter, Mike Dukakis and George H.W. Bush--with similar results."

Yes. But the good news is the election is 9 months away.