Posted on 08/23/2004 12:28:53 PM PDT by KQQL
CRAWFORD, Texas (Reuters) - Under pressure from Democrats and Republican Sen. John McCain, President Bush on Monday called for ads attacking John Kerry's record in Vietnam to be stopped along with others run by independent groups, and said Kerry should be proud of his war service.
"That means that ad and every other ad," Bush said when asked if he wanted to bring a stop to commercials by a group called Swift Boat Veterans for Truth, which accuse Sen. Kerry of lying about his war record in Vietnam.
Bush said Kerry "served admirably" in Vietnam, adding: "He ought to be proud of his record." But Bush stopped short of directly condemning the charge that Kerry lied about his actions.
Unlike previous statements by the White House, Bush this time referred specifically to the ad attacking Kerry's Vietnam service record, though he did not mention the Swift Boat group by name.
Bush did not specify what actions might be taken to stop the advertisements run by independent groups, except to renew his call on Kerry to join him in condemning all unregulated soft money ads.
(Excerpt) Read more at reuters.com ...
Actually I've decided the reason that Bush continues to state that Kerry served admirably is because Bush got blamed with being the reason for the McCain smears. He's made up his mind not to let it happen again.
But guess what, no matter what Bush does -- it's ALWAYS Bush' fault! And many on this site are blaming Bush also - but now for NOT supporting the Swift Vets.
The Swift Vets aren't supporting Bush and Bush shouldn't support them. Swift Vets will go father and further without Bush's support anyway because they can remain truly non-partisan.
Typical Reuters. The President has repeatedly called for an end to the ads of the 527's. But now, when sKerry & Co. "call" for him to do it, he's under pressure.
The stage was set last week when Kerry accused the Swiftvets of being liars. The big Media had their que and was starting to run with it.
The big problem for Bush is that he can't run "ANY" negative ads about Kerry without being accused of being in with another nasty Republican attack machine.
I think the Swiftvets have valid questions which should be answered. The media isn't cooperating with them but their message is starting to get accross. Bush, denouncing them doesn't help their cause but the issue isn't going away as long as you have a bunch of guys saying ... Hey I was there and he's not fit to be President!
That is exactly what he has done every time he has been asked. He has been very consistent in this. He has refused to single out the SwiftVets, but has pointed out repeatedly the $63 million the Dem 527's have spent, and has called for an end to all 527 ads. You may disagree with the idea of stopping the 527's, but to say he is singling out the SwiftVets is just a Dem delusion.
Good grief. He just called for all the 527's to end? This was a good move. He just shot Kerry in the foot if anyone has been shot.
They do have that right, just as the Swifties do.
Look, I am not keen on the new campaign finance laws, but this is the playing field this election. Thank McCain. The left-wing is out in force, and fortunately, most of what they are shovelling is crap and anyone paying attention knows that. But the left is scoring points simply because of the volume of their attacks.
I understand the strategery in saying that all 527's should stop their ads, but you know damn well they are not going to. Bush will get no credit for trying to be fair, or impartial, or magnanimous. Saying that all 527 ads should stop places the Swift Boat ads in the same category as MOVEON.ORG ads ... as something suspect, and twisted, and based on propaganda. That is not the case.
Not at all it is a wise move.
Great post! As a Navy vet who WAS there (Tonkin Gulf - 3 tours) I want to hear from those who were on the swift boats. Hope the debate goes on past the election. Frankly, I won't be satisfied until Kerry resigns from the Senate.
Yep... by disowning the Swifties, Bush boosts their credibility. Relax guys, the President knows what he's doing and he plays politics on a level the Kerry Campaign amateurs can't even begin to comprehend. He made it clear he doesn't like negative politics, period and the Kerry Campaign is welcome to take the high road. They won't, which makes them look small and politically craven. Good move there in Crawford, Texas.
Second, this innoculates Bush in the minds of right-thinking people. He's already condemned this ad (and all others), so blame for its continued airing cannot be placed on his shoulders.
By giving Kerry these sound bites, the President has helped marginalize the Swift Boat Vets.
What Bush should have said was "I am calling for an end to all unfair advertising and ask that my opponent do likewise" and shut up.
If you restrict people from pooling their resources to pay for ads, then you're restricting their free speech.
This concept was upheld by the SCOTUS in the mid-1970's, as well (Not like I need a SC decision to know what free speech is).
Restricting someone from paying for a megaphone is restricting their free speech.
Now that's a good point. He has consistently held this dreadful position. These 527's wouldn't be necessary if he and other do-gooders in Congress and in the courts hadn't set out to "improve" the system and eliminate the "appearance" of corruption. What a tangled web they weave, when they try to silence dissenters.
That ads attacking Kerry, should stop-The very instant that the liberal media becomes bi-partisan and stops covering Kerry's Arse and begins airing the truth told by the Swift Vets in bold headlines on the Front page of every News Paper in America and loudly on ABC,CBS,NBC,CNN,FOX,MSNBC and Public broadcasting. But not before the multitude of Ads attacking Bush, are stopped by the Terrorists for Kerry.
By giving Kerry these sound bites, the President has helped marginalize the Swift Boat Vets.
What Bush should have said was "I am calling for an end to all unfair advertising and ask that my opponent do likewise" and shut up.
This is media spin. Read what President Bush actually said.
By giving Kerry these sound bites, the President has helped marginalize the Swift Boat Vets.
What Bush should have said was "I am calling for an end to all unfair advertising and ask that my opponent do likewise" and shut up.
The ball is back in Kerry's court. If he wants to wade in mud, that's his choice. The President is being magnamious in giving Kerry a face-saving way out but if his opponent doesn't want to play ball, well the public will know he tried to be civil and the Democrats just show they really Hate Bush. Now that's shrewd.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.