Posted on 09/11/2004 10:31:07 PM PDT by politicalvanguard.com
The renewed controversy over President Bush's National Guard service has opened a fresh divide in the presidential contest — among Democrats who disputed the wisdom of keeping the 3-decade-old story alive.
Many partisans relish the sight of the White House and Bush aides struggling to answer long-ago questions about Vietnam, after watching Sen. John F. Kerry being forced to defend his combat duty and subsequent antiwar activism.
"If you're going to have Swift Boat Veterans for Truth running around out there on the loose, it's only fair to have Texans for Truth running around out there on the loose," said Bill Carrick, a Democratic strategist, referring to the groups behind anti-Kerry and anti-Bush TV spots, respectively.
But others worry that the fracas over Bush's service is distracting Democrats and voters alike from more consequential issues, hurting Kerry in the process.
"We stand at a disadvantage as a party whenever we talk about military issues, and I think we've seen that in the way we've taken a guy with a Silver Star, Bronze Star and three Purple Hearts and lost that battle to someone who served in the National Guard," said David Doak, a Democratic campaign consultant, speaking of Kerry's and Bush's military backgrounds.
"You've got to do damage control and maybe roll a few grenades under the other guy's tent. But in the larger picture it's a distraction and a sidebar to the conversation you want to be having about the issues that are really going to decide the election."
Long-standing questions about Bush's National Guard Service have gained new currency after a series of news reports suggesting he received special treatment. Those allegations, in turn, have been called into doubt by questions about the authenticity of newly surfaced documents.
(Excerpt) Read more at latimes.com ...
What planet is the LA Times on?
Planet $%@!&#!.
The Dems indeed have every right to form the ToTs and spew lies. However, CBS acting as the media organ for the ToTs is a different matter.
However, putting all their effort into this is *killing* the Democrats. The public heard all this 4 years ago. They didn't know Kerry was lying about his record or that he slurred out troops as rampaging Mongols, so the Swiftees' ads really did hurt.
Whatever happened to the tinfoil theory that Dan Rather's daughter was involved in obtaining the memos?
The same one as CBS!
"Nothing to see here, move on, move on...."
Planet? Heck, they're in a whole other universe.
This is what really bugs them. Esp. Kerry. He is SO jealous.
Of course when Clinton was running, they disparaged military service completely.
Guess where this screaming hoot is from?>>>>
"In fact, as MMFA has noted, many people have received honorable discharges despite dishonorable service, including Washington, DC-area sniper John Allen Muhammad, who was charged with striking an officer, stealing a tape measure, and going AWOL, then sentenced to seven days in the brig -- and still received an honorable discharge from the Louisiana National Guard."
"I think it's a little long. What do you think?"
"Hmmmm... the length is not the problem, I don't like the way it's feathered."
"Excuse me! He's naked and he's dead! Who cares about his haircut?!"
"Don't bring that up... we're only here to discuss his haircut."
"I still say it's a little too long."
"And sort of shaggy, don't you think?"
What kind of comment is this? I thought those serving in the National Guard were honorable American patriots also.
The same one as the "split" DemocRATs who still believe the bogus/fraudulent documents.
What a stupid analogy!!
Am I the only one who remembers Captain Christopher Seifert, who was killed when a grenade was thrown into his tent, by another soldier of the 1st Brigade, 101st Airborne Division?
I can't believe the Democrat idiot who is being quoted wasn't thinking of this very incident.
Mr. Doak is a fool, or a liar, or both. The contest is between a proven fraud and a proven leader.
The American public has already defined the contest in these terms because it has been presented the facts. Those very same facts that were vigorously surpressed by the Democrats.
"The people" recognize the truth when they see it. And they know who has been hiding the truth.
Mr. Doak should wrap himself with copper wire and step into a magnetic field. At least then we'd get some use out of his spin!
How can these people be sooooo stupid? They are losing a game that the Republicans has sworn they will not play. Are they just so close to the action that they can't see what is going on? or are they psychotic?
Absolutely disgraceful thing to say.
Planet MARIS!
Many partisans relish the sight of the White House and Bush aides struggling to answer long-ago questions about Vietnam, after watching Sen. John F. Kerry being forced to defend his combat duty and subsequent antiwar activism.
Kerry wouldn't have been "Forced" to defend anything about Vietnam, if he hadn't made such a big deal of it. What he needs to defend is his senate record! If only he could...
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.