[Bob]

Why wouldn't they welcome it? [showing evidence that Bush signed the Form 180]

Because they don't want to show any hint of getting involved in this battle. If Bush signed the 180, the media already has that evidence in their hands.

I think you may have misunderstood what I meant. I wasn't talking about making any big deal of it. If the question were asked, a simple response would be appropriate:

"When questions were raised about the president's Guard service, he made all of his records available by signing the 180 form. The best way to answer the questions was to open the records, so he did."

Simple, direct, and not a hint of his being involved in the fight.

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

John Kerry needs help getting ALL of his military records.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1188078/posts

[Cboldt]

I agree the comment could be made as you suggest, but it's more likely that the Bush campaign would say that it doesn't want to get into a comparison of military service. They might goad the media with the correct statement that Bush authorized the release of all his records because the media had raised questions about his service. I don't see them using the term "Form 180," and I bet dollars to donuts, the media has GWB's Form 180 in hand, but doesn't want to say so directly.

I'll keep looking. Fox News might have an authoritative answer. I think "Authorized the release of all his NG records" is a clear statement on its face. Kerry has not "authorized the release of all his Navy records."