CNN: Kerry Will File Legal Challenge to Swift Boat Veterans-Demands Immediate Suspension of Ads

NewsMax.com ^ | 8/20/04 | Carl Limbacher

[kattracks]

CNN is reporting Friday afternoon that the Kerry campaign will file a complaint with the FEC.

Wolf Blitzer reported that the campaign will allege that the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth are illegally coordinating their efforts with the Bush-Cheney campaign.

The complaint reportedly demands that the Swiftvets immediately suspend broadcasts of commericals attacking John Kerry's Vietnam War record and return any moneys raised in conjunction with the ad campaign.

The complaint is an extension of Sen. Kerry's charge on Thursday that the Swiftvets are a "front group" for the Bush Cheney campaign, alleging that the group has broken campaign laws by coordinating their efforts with the White House.

John O'Neill, author of the book "Unfit for Command," which details the charges described in the anti-Kerry commercials, said Friday that he had no connection with the White House, adding that his group wouldn't suspend the ads even if the White House asked them too.

"This isn't his fight," O'Neill told radio host Sean Hannity. "This is between the veterans who served in Vietnam and John Kerry."

[GretchenM]

None of this would have happened if he hadn't made it a campaign issue, right from the start.

I've read reports on FR of some of the Swift Vets saying on radio and TV that the reason they are doing this is because they can't abide kerry as CIC; "anybody but Kerry, even if these ads hurt Bush." They want revenge for their honor (my wording) and they absolutely do not want kerry inflicted on our troops. So it came out because he's applying for Job One.

[GretchenM]

I don't see why Kerry doesn't just go for broke and hold a press conference declaring that no one in America had better dare purchase ONeill's "Unfit For Command" or watch any of the Swift Boat commercials.

From this thread: http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1195207/posts "ARE BOOKSELLERS SUPPRESSING 'UNFIT FOR COMMAND' IN YOUR AREA?

In case there's a (c) issue with Salon, this is rephrased.
http://www.salon.com/news/feature/2004/08/19/swiftbook/index_np.html

Unfit for bookstores
John Kerry's campaign called on a publisher to remove book after Washington Post attacked the truthfulness of a Swift boat veteran.
By Eric Boehlert Aug. 19, 2004

Kerry's campaign told Salon that Regnery (Unfit for Command publisher) is selling a hoax and should consider withdrawing it from bookstores. "No publisher should want to be selling books with proven falsehoods in them, especially falsehoods that are meant to smear the military service of an American veteran," said Kerry campaign spokesman Chad Clanton. "If I were them, I'd be ducking under my desk wondering what to do." Clanton cited this as a serious problem.

As indicated on the thread, some booksellers drank the Kool-Aid.

[GretchenM]

I heard Thurlow pointed out yesterday that the the report for being under fire was based on a report from JOHN KERRY. Thurlow pointed out that he has always contended that there was no enemy fire and that he did not know about the report part of it. He thought he got the medal for helping out the other boat guys.

There is at least one thread on it: Four Eyewitnesses Dispute Kerry's Account of Bronze Star Incident.

[torchthemummy]

"Thanks to Kerry this story has more legs now than the Radio City Rockettes."

That's fuuunnnnNY!

[Uncle Vlad]

Don't forget hugh = huge. And don't forget to tell the children that spell check is our friend.

[Parthalan]

What Fugitive Slave Law? I'm refering to the law that it is the Campaign that is not allowed to coordinate with the 527 which in turn means that the DNC is allowed to coordinate with the 527.

What I do not like is that there is any coordination allowed at all.

[gitmo]

gocha. Thanks.

[bvw]

Free speech, free association. Freedom.

Slaves -- back to the plantation, and shut up, eh?

Let us all be fugitive slaves! .. and no begging any pardon from you.

[bvw]

"What I do not like is that there is any coordination allowed at all."

No poltical speech in churches. None in public buildings. None in schools. And none that in any way shape or fashion is "coordinated". In your book of law for the Elite and Slave -- "no coordination at all!".

Well, sir or madam, that comes to mean -- no speech at all, except what ever little comfortable and PC speech is made like pablum in what ever places are licensed and approved by the parties in power, by the powerful. Joy oh joy, eh?

[keats5]

Notice how Kerry attacks the source of the funding, and not the ad's veracity. He fears discovery. However, discovery as to the truth of the matter may lend credence to the fact that the Swifties' goal, clearing their own reputations, transcends politics. BR>
However, I have to think O'Neil covered his bases with the CFR law. He's no dummy.

I would think Kerry would want to get the media off the Swifties topic altogether. Were I him, I would try a totally new diversion. This is going to backfire. (How many times have I said that during this campaign/)

[Parthalan]

I think you have read something into my post that is not there. I AM for the free speech of the Swifties, I AM for the free speech that allows me or anyone else to say anything that is an opinion, even if it does not agree with my opinion. When someone starts stating as fact things that are documented as false I start to have a problem with that. Then you are getting into the area of Libel.

Where did this Slave thing with you come from?

The coordination that I am referring to is the McCain-Feingold law that says that the persons directly involved with a campaign are not allowed to meet with and request that a 527 group do certain activities that will benefit the campaign.

[Parthalan]

Correct me if I am wrong but isn't the law that the "Campaign" is not allowed to coordinate with a 527 group? There is an organization called Kerry/Edwards Campaign and then there is the organization called Democratic National Committee. Likewise there is an organization called the Bush/Cheney Campaign and an organization called the Republican National Committee. All four are different organizations. Therefore the DNC is legally allowed to coordinate with moveon.org.

What on earth does the above have to do with Fugitive Slave Laws?????????????????????????

[bvw]

Would you have carried out the reurn of an escaped slave once he or she was discovered in a free state?

[Parthalan]

I still have no idea what slave issue you are talking about. I have never said anything about Slavery. I am against slavery. Had I lived in the late 1800's I more than likely would have assisted slaves on their way to freedom. Nothing about what I have said in this thread has a single thing to do with slavery.

It appears that you are on something, eh? Put your joint down and once your head clears you can post a coherent reply.

My posts in this thread have to do with with Bush being accused of coordinating with a 527 group not a 537 as your profile suggests. If Kerry is going to demand that Bush condemn the 527's then Kerry must also condemn the 527's.

[bvw]

"I more than likely would have assisted slaves on their way to freedom"

No, sir. That is not what I think you'd do. Begging your pardon, but your own words on CFR are the better tale.

It's a LAW, you'd say. It's THE LAW, you'd say. And the slave, the man, the woman, the child -- you'd manacle, leg chain and under aggressive armed guard return to the slaver. No Freedom for them!

That's the LAW!