This whole sordid mess is going to blow up in the Republicans face.
Most people on this board are too young to remember the Vietnam era. There were hard-core protestors (e.g., Fonda, Kerry, Kovic), moderate protestors, hard-core Vets and moderate Vets. As usual, it was the extremes that fought each other. Kerry with his silly claims about combat experience and Cambodia (trying to justify his position as a "military man" and some hard-core vets who draw strict lines in the sand about what constituted service. Frankly, both sides have gotten unbearable - the hard-core vets will NOT convince the left and may lose the middle - the hard-core left is loved by the left, but may lose the middle. Frankly, most non-Freepers I talk to are starting to list to the Kerry side because of the personal attacks on Kerry. Yes, I know about that fat swine Michael Moore and those creepy leftists; but it is a matter of the swing voters - are they put off by the O'Neill types? My bet is yes, in the aggregate.
This is what O'Reilly was trying to say. ATTACK KERRY'S RECORD IN THE CONGRESS - SHOW HE IS A LAZY SOCIALIST! Attacking his military record does matter (I believe O'Neill and think Kerry is a liar and dangerous). But the swing votes may prefer to see the recent evidence.
Don't flame me. I just want Bush to win and I don't think this is the way to go.
So, attack Kerry's record in Congress. Nobody is preventing that sort of attack. The media isn't carrying water for the Swifties.
Bush and the Republican party are playing this just fine. They are leting the Swifties speak, which is showing respect for decorated veterans. They aren't expressing support, agreement, etc. -- they are neutral observers on that point.
You don't get it. The SBVFT are not concerned about the political fallout. The want the truth out about Kerry. It is a matter of principle and honor, not partisan politics. Frankly, I don't care what political impact this has, it is in the hands of the SBVFT, not the RNC. They earned the right to speak out against this creep who slandered their reputations and mine for that matter.
It is up to the RNC to attack Kerry's record in the Senate.
You may be right, and I was thinking that it could backfire earlier in the week. But, the Bush administration is attacking Kerry on his statements (or misstatements) on the war and the flip-flopping thing has hurt Kerry. On the other hand, the little lies that Gore told in 2000 got him the label of a FIBBER and hurt him. Kerry may get that reputation too. Let's see what the polls say this coming week. But, Kerry did get his numbers up in the catagories of LEADERSHIP and HANDLING THE WAR ON TERROR due to his emphasis on his military "record" at their convention. Therefore, the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth will not help him in that regard. I hear that some of the reporters covering him are not as solidly for him since the Cambodian story sounds so fishy.
We'll see how it plays out.
I'm 47. The draft for VN ended shortly before I graduated HS.
This is not a republican/democrat issue. As Fred Barnes said to Hugh Hewitt tonight, if the Bush campaign requested the MSM to investigate, then there would be a political backlash.
This is all about character.
Tony, I know you are with us on President Bush. Kerry's pattern of deception must be revealed from his naval career to include his senatorial service. The truth in this aspect, shows the individual has lived a life of lies and deception. This exposure is necessary to educate voters as to Kerry's true character and unworthiness to be CIC. There will be some voters who are just kerry die-hards. Truth, honor and integrity have no bearing on them as to voting for a canidate. I have noticed that O'Reilly, cuts off people like, Steve Gardner from having their full say on his program. I am very disappointed in O'Reilly in his conduct during the interviews with people who expose the real kerry. The truth whether, for or against a person running for a political office, must come to light. We the American people do not need another Klintoon crony in the White House ever again. So concerning the truth on Kerry, "Let The Chips Fall Where They May."