McCain: Stand Down On Vietnam - Says He Is "Sick And Tired" Of Re-fighting War

newsforcolorado.com ^ | August 26, 2004 | CBS with AP

[Cincinatus' Wife]

WASHINGTON (CBS) Sen. John McCain has called on both political parties to declare a cease-fire in the increasingly bitter partisan quarrel over John Kerry's Vietnam war record.

"I'm sick and tired of re-fighting the Vietnam War. And most importantly, I'm sick and tired of opening the wounds of the Vietnam War, which I've spent the last 30 years trying to heal," McCain told USA Today. "It's offensive to me, and it's angering to me that we're doing this. It's time to move on."

Separately, McCain told the New York Times that he intended to personally "express my displeasure" to President Bush about TV ads that question Kerry's valor in Vietnam.

The Arizona Republican told the newspaper he did not think Mr. Bush had gone far enough in condemning the ads, which have been produced by a group called Swift Boat Veterans for Truth.

The Vietnam War hero also said he wanted Kerry and the Democrats to stop using a clip of him in the 2000 presidential campaign in TV ads attacking the president.

The ad - and the Kerry campaign - assert that Mr. Bush is behind the Swift Boat group, a charge the White House denies.

In other developments in the Kerry war record debate:

A new Los Angeles Times poll shows Mr. Bush with a narrow 49-46 percent lead over Kerry. Mr. Bush trailed by two points in the last Times poll. The survey showed that 58 percent believe Kerry served honorably and deserved the five medals he received, and that 18 percent believe he misrepresented his service record and does not deserve the decorations. Twenty percent said the debate over Kerry's war record made them more likely to support Kerry while 26 percent said it reduced the chance they would back the Democrat and 52 percent said it made no difference.

The chief critic of John Kerry's military record told President Nixon in 1971 that he had been in Cambodia in a swift boat during the Vietnam War -- a claim at odds with his recent statements that he was not. According to a conversation that was secretly recorded, John O'Neill said quote: "I was in Cambodia, sir. I worked along the border." O'Neill did not dispute what he said to Nixon, but insisted he was never actually in Cambodia, just on its border. O'Neill is co-author of "Unfit for Command," which accuses Kerry of lying about his record.

One of President Bush's top lawyers, Benjamin Ginsberg, resigned from his campaign Wednesday, a day after disclosing that he had given legal advice to a veterans group airing TV ads challenging Democrat John Kerry's Vietnam War service. The guidance included checking ad scripts, the group said.

Former Democratic Sen. Max Cleland tried to deliver a letter protesting the ads attacking Kerry's Vietnam service to Mr. Bush at his Texas ranch, but the Secret Service stopped Cleland short of his goal. The former Georgia lawmaker, a triple amputee who fought in Vietnam, was carrying a letter from nine Senate Democrats who wrote Mr. Bush that "you owe a special duty" to condemn attacks on Kerry's military service. A White House spokesman dismissed the visit as a "political stunt."

It's still not clear which party - if either - will gain a political advantage because of the dispute.

Republican pollster Neil Newhouse said Mr. Bush had the advantage when the debate centered on Kerry's actions in Vietnam because the questions raised doubts about Kerry's credibility. Now that the debate has shifted to questions about campaign tactics and political insiders, Newhouse said, Mr. Bush lost his advantage.

"Bush gained early, now it's a wash," he said.

William Benoit, professor at the University of Missouri-Columbia, said McCain, who was a prisoner of war during Vietnam, erased any early advantage that Mr. Bush might have had.

McCain has called the anti-Kerry advertisement "dishonest" and "dishonorable."

"When Senator McCain comes out and says he's a hero ... how many Republicans are going to reject it?" Benoit said. "I just think Senator McCain has neutralized that issue in large part."

[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.........***

[Cincinatus' Wife]

***The Vietnam War hero also said he wanted Kerry and the Democrats to stop using a clip of him in the 2000 presidential campaign in TV ads attacking the president.***

[UsnDadof8]

He is not re-fighting the war, he is re-offering himself as an enemy pow.

[Bahbah]

It's not about you, John, although you don't seem to be able to grasp that.

[Izzy Dunne]

All those who care what McCain has to say, please raise your hand...

[Peach]

Hey, McCain:

What about condemning the MoveOn.org ads that call YOUR president Hitler?

What about condemning the Kerry ads that use YOUR image to convey a false impression?

What about condemning the man YOU stood with on a podium in 2000 who called all Christians bigots?

What about saying you are sorry for proposing and getting passed a pathetic bill that brought us to this stage?

[Cincinatus' Wife]

I bet his mailbox if full.

[sarasota]

Actually, John, we're just getting our second wind with this thing. The Silver Start investigation is next and after that, who knows. Please remain calm.

[LincolnLover]

"Now that the debate has shifted to questions about campaign tactics and political insiders, Newhouse said, Mr. Bush lost his advantage.

"Bush gained early, now it's a wash," he said."

Thanks again, Ben Ginsberg. Nice job.

[TomGuy]

The sentiment is understandable, except that John Kerry is the one who is in the VietNam quagmire. Kerry has nothing else to run on. Kerry is the one who keeps mentioning his Vietnam service.

When other Vietnam Vets respond, they have every right to do so, McCain.

[kevao]

A new Los Angeles Times poll shows Mr. Bush with a narrow 49-46 percent lead over Kerry.

Is that nationally, or just in California?

[Bahbah]

"I bet his mailbox if full."

Not the only thing that McCain has that is full.

[Onelifetogive]

"When Senator McCain comes out and says he's a hero ... how many Republicans are going to reject it?"

At least this one.....

[The Ghost of FReepers Past]

How about we stand down on John McCain instead.

[TomGuy]

Actually, John, we're just getting our second wind with this thing. The Silver Start investigation is next and after that, who knows. Please remain calm.

Yeh.

If they [Kerry camp] think it's hot now, just wait until the former POW's start distributing their documentary, etc. Kerry is going to do allot more sweating. The former POW's is a separate group from the Swift Boat Vets.

[Spok]

"Says He Is "Sick And Tired" Of Re-fighting War"

Does this include John Kerry's exploitation of his alleged combat experience? Did McCain ever say this before the Swifties ad and book were released? Does this position also include criticism of the President's record?

[borisbob69]

..."express my displeasure" to President Bush...

Ah, there goes my Senator again...making me proud as always. < /sarcasm>

When are these idiots going to acknowledge that Kerry brought this on himself...first in 1971 and again at the recent convention where he "Reported for duty"?

[sc2_ct]

I suppose it's too much to ask that McCain not get re-elected again? I'm thinking it might be worthwhile in the long run to have Freepers do everything to make sure that he loses his next Senate bid. McCain is now and will always be a RINO and shill for the Left.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

The Facts about Bush and the National Guard - The Democratic charges fall apart.

[Rutles4Ever]

Ha! This is like an architect flaming the automakers because the bridge he built couldn't support the traffic.