[Hostage]

This could backfire on Republicans.

Lehman may not remember signing the Silver Star citation and it may have been done via auto pen.

IF the probe clears Kerry, he will have ammunition to claim that the Bush campaign maligned his record and illegally used the investigative offices of the DOD to do so.

I would counter with a (hopefully official) finding that Kerry's 1st PH was a fraud.

The Kerry campaign is laying traps to make it look like the President is using the government to smear him.

Clinton did similarly in 1992 when GHWB's agents started looking into his Mena AK past. Clinton claimed abuse of power and deliberate unsubstantiated smear. The claim worked, the investigation was shut down.

[comebacknewt]

I've been thinking the same thing. What happens if tne Navy comes out and declares that according to their records all of Fn's medals are legit.

The RATs would use that to totally discredit the SBVT, and W would suffer a big political price as well. I'm not so sure this issue is a slam dunk winner for us.

[sarasotarepublican]

This could backfire on Republicans. Lehman may not remember signing the Silver Star citation and it may have been done via auto pen. IF the probe clears Kerry, he will have ammunition to claim that the Bush campaign maligned his record and illegally used the investigative offices of the DOD to do so. I would counter with a (hopefully official) finding that Kerry's 1st PH was a fraud. The Kerry campaign is laying traps to make it look like the President is using the government to smear him. Clinton did similarly in 1992 when GHWB's agents started looking into his Mena AK past. Clinton claimed abuse of power and deliberate unsubstantiated smear. The claim worked, the investigation was shut down.

Exactly! Maybe it's Kerry baiting Bush, not visa versa. I have such little faith with government investigations. Let us never forget those ugly clinton years.

[leadpenny]

This could backfire on Republicans.

Agree

Lehman may not remember signing the Silver Star citation and it may have been done via auto pen.

But is it plausible that the SecNav would approve an amendment to a decades old SS citation for a sitting US Senator without remembering it?

IF the probe clears Kerry, he will have ammunition to claim that the Bush campaign maligned his record and illegally used the investigative offices of the DOD to do so.

Agree

[ncpatriot]

"Clinton did similarly in 1992 when GHWB's agents started looking into his Mena AK past. Clinton claimed abuse of power and deliberate unsubstantiated smear. The claim worked, the investigation was shut down."

I agree. This could backfire on the President. Let's let the SwiftVets handle it.