Kerry Takes Fight Over Vietnam Ads to Bush's Ranch

Reuters ^ | 8/25/04 | Adam Entous

[kattracks]

CRAWFORD, Texas (Reuters) - Democrat John Kerry will dispatch two fellow Vietnam veterans to President Bush's secluded Texas ranch on Wednesday to press him to condemn television advertisements accusing Kerry of lying about his wartime service.

The move comes one day after it was disclosed that a top lawyer for Bush's re-election campaign has been providing legal advice to the group behind the ads, the so-called Swift Boat Veterans for Truth.

Kerry is sending to Crawford former Sen. Max Cleland of Georgia, a frequent companion of Kerry's on the campaign trail and a fellow Vietnam War veteran who lost three limbs during the war.

Cleland and former Army Green Beret Jim Rassman, whose life was saved by Kerry during a Vietnam war firefight, will try to deliver a letter protesting the ads to Bush at his heavily guarded ranch, Kerry aides said.

Kerry's service has dominated the neck-and-neck race for the Nov. 2 election in recent days as both candidates try to portray themselves as the best man to lead the United States in its war against terrorism.

Bush has called for the Swift Boat ads to be stopped along with others run by independent groups, and said Kerry should be proud of his war service.

But Bush stopped short of condemning the group or its specific accusations that the Democratic presidential candidate lied about his record in Vietnam.

The Kerry letter, signed by at least seven Democratic senators who have served in the military, calls on Bush to "recognize this blatant attempt at character assassination, and publicly condemn it."

"Call on this group to cease and desist," they wrote.

Cleland said Bush "owes it to every soldier and veteran in the nation to stop condoning their smears through his silence."

Cleland lost his 2002 re-election bid after a bitter campaign in which Republicans questioned his patriotism. Bush did not intervene then, and Kerry spokesman Phil Singer said what happened to Cleland in 2002 is similar to "what is going on today" against Kerry.

MCCAIN NOT A SIGNATORY

The Kerry letter was not signed by Republican Sen. John McCain (news, bio, voting record), a fellow Vietnam veteran who has urged Bush to condemn the ads. McCain was scheduled to campaign next week with Bush before the Republican convention.

Kerry has called the Swift Boat ads inaccurate and accused the group of being a front for the Bush campaign. He has asked the Federal Election Commission (news - web sites) to force the ads to be withdrawn.

The Bush campaign and the White House have said they have nothing to do with the Swift Boat group or the ads.

But the group received some of its funding from long-time Bush supporters and its new commercial features one veteran, Ken Cordier, who was on a Bush campaign committee until last week when he was forced to step down.

It was further disclosed late Tuesday that the Bush campaign's chief outside counsel, Ben Ginsberg, has also been giving legal advice to the Swift Boat group.

[Belisaurius]

Nice try, Kerry. You ain't seen nothing yet. Here come the 527s that really are Republican Front Groups.

[kenth]

How pathetic. This man wants to be in charge of the United States, yet he cannot fight his own battles.

[dts32041]

Where's Mammy Terri Kerri when you need her.

[america-rules]

"Jim Rassman, whose life was saved by Kerry during a Vietnam war firefight"

Puke alert !

[GAGOPSWEEPTOVICTORY]

We booted out that Liberal fool Cleland in 2002. He keeps on whining about how we turned his voting record against him to paint him as unpatriotic and has been on the warpath since.

The fact of the matter was, Cleland did vote against key military programs and there was no slime or smear campaign against him, just like there is no smear campaign going on with the Swifties.

The Democrats just can't handle the truth. Notice how they attack the messenger only to recant a week later when it turns out that the messenger was right in the first place. Shame on them.

[jerry639]

Max Cleland and Jim Rassmam? Now there is a pair to draw to. lol Is the Kerry campaign desperate or what?

[JohnHuang2]

This guy is a nut -- a fanatical Bush-hater. Has no business being any where near the ranch.

[claudiustg]

---Cleland and former Army Green Beret Jim Rassman, whose life was saved by Kerry during a Vietnam war firefight, will try to deliver a letter protesting the ads to Bush at his heavily guarded ranch, Kerry aides said.---

I feel sorry for them being caught up with villan, Kerry. In the old days their heads would be sent back to Kerry for this impudent insult.

[icwhatudo]

Cleland lost his 2002 re-election bid after a bitter campaign in which Republicans questioned his patriotism.

Nah, no liberal bias in the media...LOL

[kattracks]

Maybe he'll send Terayzah next.

[Libertina]

Note to our President: Don't open the gate.
Note to Kerry: You're a moron.

[sissyjane]

Oh Please!!!

Pardon me while I BARF!!!!

[Bob]

Cleland lost his 2002 re-election bid after a bitter campaign in which Republicans questioned his patriotism.

Another one. They state as fact something that's actually a disputed partisan speculation. From everything that I've seen, this allegation has never been legitimately substantiated.

[jnarcus]

Sure thing John and when are you calling off Soros et al? Oh yeah that's right when pigs fly....what a jerk

[sonofatpatcher2]

Print out and wear as a Campaign Button or go HERE to print.

Feel free to reuse this anywhere you wish...

[conservative in nyc]

Stupid publicity stunt alert.

If I were President Bush, I'd turn the tables on Kerry --- I'd speak with his minions, thank them for their service, and repeat that I condemn all ads from 527s. Why won't Kerry do the same? He's not advertising this month because the 527s are.

[walden]

This IS pathetic. I'm kind of sorrowful that our presidential election has degenerated to this. I think Kerry must be completely bonkers. That's sad.

[Robert_Paulson2]

Turn the dogs loose by accident on them...
whooops?

[Route66]

I see Kerry is still trying to use veterans as his ride to the top, but surely sending these guys to the ranch is way OVER the top. Considering what Bush already said on this subject this week, Kerry pulling this stunt ought to really piss him off.