Bush Calls McCain About Anti-Kerry Ads (UPDATE)

AP on Yahoo ^ | 8/26/04 | Deb Reichmann - AP

[NormsRevenge]

LAS CRUCES, N.M. - President Bush (news - web sites) wants to work with Republican Sen. John McCain (news, bio, voting record) to pursue court action against political ads by "shadowy" outside groups, the White House said Thursday amid growing pressure on the president to denounce attacks on John Kerry (news - web sites)'s war record.

"The president said if the court action doesn't work, that he would be willing to pursue legislative action with Sen. McCain on that," Bush spokesman Scott McClellan told reporters aboard Air Force One en route to New Mexico.

McCain, R-Ariz., has called on Bush to condemn the anti-Kerry ads, even as he is actively supporting Bush's re-election. McCain told The New York Times that he plans to personally "express my displeasure" to the president, the paper reported Thursday.

Bush called McCain from Air Force One and the two had a brief discussion about the matter, McClellan said.

The debate over Democratic nominee John Kerry's service in Vietnam has dominated the presidential race in recent weeks after the group Swift Boat Veterans for Truth aired ads questioning Kerry's decorated record.

[DOGEY]

It scares me when Bush or McCain want to limit political speech. This website will be next.

[TomGuy]

GWB needs to stay silent on this issue.

If he tries to shut down the 527's, that is censorship.

The SBV's are exercising their rights to free speech.

Asking McCain to get involved is not a good move at all.

[Paine in the Neck]

Bush was wrong on CFR. He's wrong (except on a tactical level) here too.

"Amendment I. Congress shall make no law ...abridging the freedom of speech..."

What's so hard to understand?

[WestTexasWend]

"Mr. President, I'm very upset with the ads we're seei..."

"So am I, John, and I hold you personally responsible, so either clean up your mess or throw it out. And no more whining or your convention spot goes to Barney."

(I can dream, can't I?)

[ServesURight]

Bad move, Mr. President. You already signed CFR, which you thought would get rid of soft money but it only succeeding in shutting up conservative voices while liberals exploit the loopholes.

You've already denounced all the 527s. Just leave it at that and focus on Kerry's lackthereof Senate record while the Swiftvets do the dirty work.

[Mr. Mojo]

Gee McCain, who could've possibly forseen this sort of thing happening when you and your fellow leftist Feingold were on that "soft money" crusade?

[NormsRevenge]

Check these whacks out..

A protestor identified as Terra Lawson-Remer (upper right) lowers herself to a waiting police officer after she helped unfurl a banner on the facade of the Plaza Hotel in New York on August 26, 2004. The 60-foot banner, with the words 'Truth' and 'Bush', was said to be critical of the Bush/Cheney administration's poor record of leadership. Two members of a protest group called Operation Sibyl rappelled down the facade to unfurl the banner. The Republican National Convention starts in New York on August 30. REUTERS/Peter Morgan

A protestor identified as Terra Lawson-Remer (top) lowers herself to a waiting police officer after she helped unfurl a banner on the facade of the Plaza Hotel in New York on August 26, 2004. The 60-foot banner, with the words 'Truth' and 'Bush', was said to be critical of the Bush/Cheney administration's poor record of leadership. Two members of a protest group called Operation Sibyl rappelled down the facade to unfurl the banner. The Republican National Convention starts in New York on August 30. REUTERS/Peter Morgan

[Dog Gone]

This makes no sense to me. I'm sure the White House would like full control of all political ads, but they can't be blind to the damage the Swifties have done to Kerry.

Maybe this is just posturing because there's not enough time before the election to do anything judicially or legislatively.

[Guillermo]

Yeah right.

Just like "It's OK that he signed CFR because the SC will overturn it!"

[RobbyS]

This is cynical. Bush knows darn well that the courts cannot touch the 527s until after the election. There can be no court injunction, because of the FEC ruling. No legislation can be introduced that could go into effect before the election. Smoke and mirrors, folks. Want to di it right? Invite Kerry to join in the suit.

[leprechaun9]

What does the President expect from the Keating backed Senator, John Mc Lame?

[CROSSHIGHWAYMAN]

Want to solve the problem?

Repeal McCain/Feingold and stop limiting freedom of speech.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

John McCain: First Amendment Control Commisar***........A previous assault on the rights of citizens, perpetrated last summer on the Senate floor, set the stage for the present, detestable situation. In the wake of "Dixie Chicks" singer Natalie Maines' derisive comments regarding President Bush, major radio markets, responding to an enormous outcry from their listeners, were dropping "Dixie Chicks" songs from their rosters. Caterwauling that this somehow constituted "censorship" by station owners, a Congressional hearing was convened, during which Senator John McCain (R-AZ), among others, excoriated the management of Cumulus Media, Cox Radio, and Clear Channel Radio for the "Dixie Chicks" boycott.......... ***

An Open Letter to Senator John McCain from a Vietnam Veteran***........You carry no mandate to speak for us. Your personal feelings are yours and yours alone; but, emphatically, you do not speak for us. You spoke up to defend your friend and your friend has turned your words into talking points. It is truly reprehensible how the Kerry campaign and the mainstream media are hiding so cynically behind your condemnation of the Swiftvets, using your statement as an excuse to dismiss their claims as baseless, smear politics. Honestly, Senator, did you really intend to provide this kind of cover for those who are so desperate to prevent the truth from coming out?

With all due respect, since you weren't there to observe John Kerry first hand as were these Swiftvets, may I humbly suggest that the honorable thing for you to do, is to stay out of this fight and allow them and us to have our voice.........***

[logic]

I'm from Arizona, I've known for a long time that McCain is not trustworthy, I just wish he'd identify himself as a liberal jerk instead of pretending to be conservative then voting the other way most of the time......

[Guillermo]

The logic behind CFR is astounding.

"We're corrupt, and the answer is to limit your right to free speech."

[tubebender]

There are times I wish President Bush was on our side...

[RinaseaofDs]

He signed the bill, the morons in the Congress passed the bill, the idiots in the Supreme Court said it was constitutional.

NOW everyone's panties are in a bunch over it.

How about we just go back to what the founders wrote in the first amendment?

[Rokke]

Nope. And I just recently I sent $100 to the Swift Vets to help them pay for one of the most effective ad campaigns I've ever seen. I'm kind of liking this whole CFR thing. So far it has been a cheap way to kick Kerry's bandaid covered ass.