Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Bush Calls McCain About Anti-Kerry Ads (UPDATE)
AP on Yahoo ^ | 8/26/04 | Deb Reichmann - AP

Posted on 08/26/2004 8:06:56 AM PDT by 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.


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Crime/Corruption; Foreign Affairs; Government; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: about; ads; antikerry; bush; calls; mccain; swiftvets
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 41-6061-8081-100 ... 181-187 next last
To: EllaMinnow

It's not a matter of believing the AP. It's more a matter of "who" and "what". The "who" is "Bush" and the "what" is another brainless idea. Therefore, it has credence.


61 posted on 08/26/2004 8:29:22 AM PDT by BufordP (FLASH! Bush rumored to drop Cheney from ticket. Log Cabin Republicans respond: "WE WANT DICK!")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 51 | View Replies]

To: DOGEY
"This website will be next. "

Well, there are lots of ignorant posters here that confuse the public, making it dificult for the public to make an informed decsion, so perhaps political posts 60 days prior to an election should be prohibited, for the public good.

The above the what Kerry, McCain and now Bush what?

62 posted on 08/26/2004 8:29:33 AM PDT by jpsb (Nominated 1994 "Worst writer on the net")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 21 | View Replies]

To: NormsRevenge
Hmmmmm ...

If I recall correctly, our President is one heck of a poker player. My guess he is creating a situation where the democrats will have to oppose shutting down the 527's. President Bush will then ruefully agree that it is best to permit as much free speech as possible.

Then the volume on the squealing from the left increases as they realize they have been outfoxed once again.

RileyD, nwJ

63 posted on 08/26/2004 8:29:41 AM PDT by RileyD, nwJ ("Only the humble are sane." anon)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Mr. Mojo
I'm attending the RNC convention next week and McCain is throwing a party one of the nights at a nightclub with SNL people. I RSVP'd and in their response they said, "thank you for supporting John McCain." WHAT? I'm so ticked at McCain now that I think I'll have to rescind my RSVP.

The folly of CFR should demonstrate to everyone that McCain is a nutcase. CFR was his baby and yet it created an even bigger mess - in their eyes anyway. McCain should not be involved in drafting any legislation! And W should stop trying to placate him.

64 posted on 08/26/2004 8:29:55 AM PDT by Wphile (Keep the UN out of Iraq)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 50 | View Replies]

To: mystery-ak

I'm beginning to think McCain is the pinsetter for Bush's strike. By calling for legislative reform, Bush can wash his hands clean of connection to Swift. McCain, it seems to me, is creating the discussion/environment in which Bush can publicly respond to the debate without responding directly to the Kerry campaign and dignifying their attacks.


65 posted on 08/26/2004 8:30:05 AM PDT by Rutles4Ever
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 57 | View Replies]

To: NormsRevenge

Stupid Bush and backstabbing McCain. All of a sudden McCain is concerned about 527s. This is a joke they signed the legislation, they knew what was in it and they didnt say a word when Soros et.al. were spreading their hate. Note to Bush/McCain re. the Swifties: Shut up this isnt about you, let these honorable men speak and say what they want. They have the right to defend their thoughts on the highest office in the world.


66 posted on 08/26/2004 8:30:26 AM PDT by sasafras (sasafras (The road to hell is paved with good intentions))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: dc-zoo
Does Bush want to win?

Of course he does. He also knows that no matter what they do, nothing will happen in time for this election. By agreeing to work with McCain they will end up with a law that requires full disclosure and doesn't need to restrict these groups because people will be giving their money to the politicians who will be held accountable for the content. Just as it should be.

McCain started this, and he's got to be the one to fix it. It appears that the Swifties are fixing more things than just John Kerry. God bless them.

67 posted on 08/26/2004 8:30:28 AM PDT by McGavin999 (If Kerry can't deal with the "Republican Attack Machine" how is he going to deal with Al Qaeda)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

To: funkywbr

I don't want to see Kerry in the Whitehouse. But you're a fool if you think the "compassionate" conservative will fix CFR.


68 posted on 08/26/2004 8:31:35 AM PDT by BufordP (FLASH! Bush rumored to drop Cheney from ticket. Log Cabin Republicans respond: "WE WANT DICK!")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 60 | View Replies]

To: Paine in the Neck
"Amendment I. Congress shall make no law ...abridging the freedom of speech..."

"What's so hard to understand?"

Isn't that the same Amendment which includes the "separation of church and state"? Go ahead and read the whole amendment - - you'll see it in there somewhere. Or maybe not. In which case that would certainly show you what the scumbag politicians think about the Constitution of the United States, wouldn't it?

69 posted on 08/26/2004 8:31:45 AM PDT by Lancey Howard (The scumbag politicians wipe their behinds with the Constitution.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 23 | View Replies]

To: Dog Gone

Bush signed CFR, he is an ememy of free speech, the attack continues.


70 posted on 08/26/2004 8:32:19 AM PDT by jpsb (Nominated 1994 "Worst writer on the net")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 29 | View Replies]

To: RobbyS

I agree. Bush is playing a game with the media after all their handringing over these negative ads. The media led the charge for CFR. They are leading the charge of Dem's that Bush is behind this and won't denounce them. With this move, they either have to play up the censorship angle , which A) they supported by encouraging CFR or b) admitting the Swifties have a right to speak out, themselves supported, or they have admit he is again showing leadership while JFK tries to play both sides again, "I supported 527's before I was against them."

Were Bush to play the free speech card and abolish CFR now, it would be played up as condoning negative ads and allowing the Dem's spin to continue to dominate. He knows full well nothing is going to change by his, McCain's or anyone's actions.


71 posted on 08/26/2004 8:32:45 AM PDT by thecanuck
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 31 | View Replies]

To: NormsRevenge

Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Texas-style politics. Dubya gave Kerry enough rope, and now Hanoi John has hanged himself with the Swift Vets and 527s. I expect Dubya and McCain will come out and call on Kerry to join them in shutting down ALL 527s...meaning no more MoveOn, no more ANSWER, no more Soros money helping Kerry. If Kerry is unwilling to do this, then Dubya can crank out an ad of his own saying Kerry has flip-flopped again on yet another issue. Either way, Dubya wins.

Besides, the damage has already been done to Kerry with the Swift Vets, and the book is at #1, will continue to stay at #1 through Election Day, and there is no way that either camp can force O'Neill NOT to make public appearances or go on talk shows. All of the oxygen has been completely sucked out of the Kerry campaign as he is dogged by these vets daily while Dubya can come out of the GOP convention with a decent bounce and then it's a sprint to the finish line on November 2nd.


72 posted on 08/26/2004 8:33:15 AM PDT by medscribe
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: NormsRevenge
Strategery.

Hell, even the FEC said it's not going to take a stance on how 527s are being used until after this election cycle. You think any sort of court action, no matter how expedidted, is going to impact said ads between now and November?

Pretty unlikely, but the Pres gets (a) the positive press that comes with taking the bold and decisive action that John Kerry, apparently, can't muster up himself to bring the MoveOn.orgs of the world to heel and (b) it's a great segue into a phase of the campaign that is John McCain-intensive.

I've said it before, I'll say it again: the parameters of the debate as they have unfolded make John McCain standing at GW's side and promoting his re-election one of the most important and effective weapons BC '04 has in it's arsenal.

He'll play a real part in winning this election, mark my words.

73 posted on 08/26/2004 8:33:22 AM PDT by LincolnLover ("Jagshemash, I like you!"---Borat for President 2004)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Rutles4Ever

Interesting...you may be right...I tend to agree with another poster, that Bush is setting up the rats...condemn all 527's...the ball is now in the rats court.


74 posted on 08/26/2004 8:33:52 AM PDT by mystery-ak (Snap-Crackle-Pop.....Kerry has Rice Krispies in his butt.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 65 | View Replies]

To: sasafras

It's not of consequence. There won't be a new law passed in time for the election. It's called "having an unimpeachable position." By law, Bush can't stop the Swift Boat ads. In the meantime, there's a whole lot of attention being focused on the sheer jackpot being used by the Dem 527's to oust Bush. In fairness to ABC and "Nightline", despite the fact they tried to pillory Ginsberg last night, their report spelled out CLEARLY that John Kerry has benefited astronomically more than Bush in terms of funding and frequency of negative advertising...


75 posted on 08/26/2004 8:34:10 AM PDT by Rutles4Ever
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 66 | View Replies]

To: McGavin999

re: your post #67

Very well said!
Some people around here have difficulty recognizing smart politics when it smacks them in the face.


76 posted on 08/26/2004 8:34:38 AM PDT by Lancey Howard
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 67 | View Replies]

To: McGavin999
By agreeing to work with McCain they will end up with a law that requires full disclosure and doesn't need to restrict these groups because people will be giving their money to the politicians who will be held accountable for the content. Just as it should be.

Wish I were as sanguine as you. McCain won't go for something like this. Remember that CFR restricted money to political parties. In McCain's mind IT'S ALL ABOUT RESTRICTING MONEY. He doesn't give a crap about disclosure. I see nothing good coming out of another McCain led campaign reform effort.

77 posted on 08/26/2004 8:34:44 AM PDT by Wphile (Keep the UN out of Iraq)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 67 | View Replies]

To: js1138
I really believe Bush does not want to make free speech illegal; he wants top call attention to the failure of CFR. He also wants to call attention to the fact that the dem 527s are supported by millionaires, corporations and unions, whereas the SwiftVets are supported by tens of thousands of individuals.

I think you are correct. But it irks me that he was and is willing to "play with fire" regarding freedom of speech.

78 posted on 08/26/2004 8:35:08 AM PDT by Cboldt
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 44 | View Replies]

To: Mr. Mojo

That only id's him to the 2% of the population that looks at such things, to the other 98% he is the staunch republican he claims to be with his mouth, if not with his votes(and other actions).


79 posted on 08/26/2004 8:35:21 AM PDT by logic ("all that is required for evil to triumph, is for good men to do nothing")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 42 | View Replies]

To: Lancey Howard

Actually the phrase 'seperation of church and state' doesn't appear in the 1st Amendment nor anywhere else in the Constitution.


80 posted on 08/26/2004 8:35:35 AM PDT by Borges
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 69 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 41-6061-8081-100 ... 181-187 next last

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.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson