The former Georgia senator, a triple amputee who fought in Vietnam, was carrying a letter from nine Senate Democrats who wrote Bush that "you owe a special duty" to condemn attacks on Kerry's military service.
"The question is where is George Bush (news - web sites)'s honor, the question is where is his shame to attack a fellow veteran who has distinguished himself in combat?" Cleland asked. "Regardless of the political combat involved, it's disgraceful."
Encountering a permanent roadblock to Bush's ranch, Cleland left without turning over the letter to anyone.
"I have a letter signed by nine members of the U.S. Senate, all of whom have served honorably and I'd like to hand it to a responsible officer here on the gate," Cleland said as he tried to deliver it to security personnel at the roadblock.
A Texas state official and Vietnam veteran, Jerry Patterson, offered to accept the letter and offered Cleland one of his own supporting Bush. Cleland left without any exchange taking place.
"I am just going to return the letter and make sure it gets in the mail," Cleland said.
In their letter, the senators said, "This administration must not tacitly comply with unfounded accusations which have suddenly appeared 35 years after the fact, and serve to denigrate the service of a true American patriot."
On Monday, the president said the group's anti-Kerry advertising should stop, but he refused to denounce it.
"The moment of truth came and went for President Bush to condemn these ads, and he still could not bring himself to do the right thing," Cleland said in a statement.
The senators signing the letter included Daniel Inouye of Hawaii, Ernest "Fritz" Hollings of South Carolina, Tom Harkin of Iowa, Jack Reed of Rhode Island, Tom Carper of Delaware and Jon Corzine and Frank Lautenberg, both of New Jersey.
"As veterans of the armed services, we ask that you recognize this blatant attempt at character assassination, and publicly condemn it," the senators said in their letter.
So Cleland refused to trade letters? Ha ha. It was SOOOOO important a letter had that he delivered it in person, but not important enough to actually take one back in exchange. Okiedokie...
I've had the pleasure of meeting Jerry Patterson, and he's a class act. He also was primary sponsor and chief cheerleader for the bill which became the Texas "shall issue" concealed carry law.