The questions that won't go away Why we're refighting Vietnam: Blame McCain-Feingold

Jewish World Review ^ | 8-23-04 | John Fund

[SJackson]

How did we get into this mess? Much of the presidential campaign this month has been consumed with a dispute about whether John Kerry told tall tales about his service in Vietnam 35 years ago.

The media were similarly fixated on ancient history several months ago, after filmmaker Michael Moore, at a Wesley Clark rally, labeled President Bush "a deserter" and Democratic National Committee chairman Terry McAuliffe said the president had been "AWOL" during his service in the Texas Air National Guard. Mr. Bush had to produce his dental records to quiet the storm. Now in response to the anti-Kerry ad by Swift Boat Veterans for Truth, MoveOn.org is airing an ad accusing Mr. Bush of using family ties to evade serving overseas during Vietnam.

This is insanity. While partisans may delight in playing gotcha over uncertain Vietnam-era memories, voters are likely to wonder about when the issues they care about will get discussed.

It's fair to say that the so-called campaign finance reform that Mr. Bush signed into law in 2002 will result in more money being plowed into negative advertising during this campaign than ever before. The McCain-Feingold law was supposed to curb the influence of big money in politics. Instead, it has led to an avalanche of money landing in the coffers of so-called 527 groups. The name comes from the section of the tax code that allows independent groups to raise and spend as much as they want on political ads so long as they don't expressly advocate a candidate or coordinate their campaign with political parties or candidates.

[stockpirate]

Would you want Jane Fonda to be a heartbeat away from the presidency and the role of Commander in Chief? How would you answer the same question using John Kerry's name? Isn't that ultimately the question? These aren't questions you are asking me are they?

[libstripper]

Just wait. The two Swiftvets ads that are running are only the opening barage. All the VVAW stuff is in the book, too. Now that they've gotten the public's attention with the first two ads, I'll bet they've got more coming that will cover all the VVAW stuff. Traitor's VVAW activities ALL occurred while he was still a member of the inactive Naval Reserve.

[libstripper]

I just seht them another $50.00. My total's now $250.00. EVERYBODY SHOULD DIG DEEP AND GIVE TO KEEP THEM ON THE AIR.

[freddiedavis]

BUMP FOR THE SUPPORT OF SWIFT VETS HERE... http://www.swiftvets.com/

[stockpirate]

Cool, I need to get the book.

Does your handle mean you are a liberal that strips or the you strip liberals of their BS? lol

[OriginalChristian]

Nope, just in general.

[Chieftain]

Thank you for supporting them! I honestly believe that you got the 'best bang for your buck' of all the political contributions you could ever make!

[stockpirate]

Well in that case, I willsay I wouldn't want a communist anywhere near the WH.

And I consider both of them to be one, Kerry and Jane that is.

[PeoplesRepublicOfWashington]

McCain-Feingold could've been vetoed.

It could have been found unConstitutional, too. All three branches of gubbermint are to blame.

[Mr. Mojo]

Agreed.

[hosepipe]

Treason seems to be chic' these days. Ann Coulters book "TREASON" seems to have been well forgot. Because she actually dug up old Tail gunner Joe and re-vetted his case successfully. The democrat party has been and is "Treason Incorporated" with aids the likes of McLaim and Specter and others. Once you've elected a traitor to the White House(Clinton: both of them) TWICE, all that is needed is a new paint job on the Trojan Horse. The republicans just don't like the color or the real issues would surface. Kerry is a war hero like AL Gore is smart or Henry Waxman is handsome.

Whoever the real power brokers are offer us Kerrys, Bushs, Gores, Doles, Clintons for Prez. whos next Barney Frank ?

I get the feeling somebodys laughing at us all somewhere cause George Bush does resemble Alfred E. Nueman(Madd Mag) suspiciously very closely. The drama of an american presidential election has become like a sitcom a little too closely too. Maybe its been decided that americans are too degraded and cowardly to actually throw a revolution successfully and they probably are correct. A revolution would defintly put a kink in that old retirement package and forget watching Oprah and Dr. Phil or football.. for a few years. Marx was wrong, religion is not the opiate of the people, DRUGS ARE...

And by the way politically, republicans are aborting their next generation, the democrats are importing theirs with republican help from Mexico.

[cyncooper]

It's fair to say that the so-called campaign finance reform that Mr. Bush signed into law in 2002 will result in more money being plowed into negative advertising during this campaign than ever before. The McCain-Feingold law was supposed to curb the influence of big money in politics.

The Swift Vets have something they want to say and the only way they can find is to raise money for ads since the media made it plain that they can hold press conferences until the cows come home and they will not cover them. Plus their book, which they should be allowed to speak about and defend.

Free speech in action.

I am sick about the fretting over "negative advertising". There's a world of difference between lying (see "Bush was AWOL!") and presenting concerns about the character of a candidate. The Swift Vets fall in the latter category. The demand that their voices should be silenced so the sensibilites of a bunch of ninnies aren't offended is in itself offensive.

[DoctorZIn]

This article has been posted to DoctorZin’s New News Blog!

[norwaypinesavage]

"Sen. George Allen, who once occupied Thomas Jefferson's seat in the Virginia Legislature, says that the only way to honor the First Amendment's protections of political speech is to let everyone contribute whatever he wants but require immediate disclosure on the Internet"

Gee, it's funny he didn't say "immediate disclosure in the New York Times"

[libstripper]

I strp them of their BS.

[RVN Airplane Driver]

I agree 100%....this 527 business gives the little guy an ability to put his "dog" in the fight. However, in most elections you are not going to stir up a group like us Veitnam Vet's about an issue that so many feel so passionate about....but again this year it has turned out good.