Posted on 09/20/2004 5:32:23 PM PDT by Dont Mention the War
Posted on Mon, Sep. 20, 2004
NEW YORK - At the behest of CBS, an adviser to John Kerry said he talked to a central figure in the controversy over President Bush's National Guard service shortly before disputed documents were released.
Joe Lockhart denied any connection between the presidential campaign and the papers. Lockhart, the second Kerry ally to confirm contact with retired Texas National Guard officer Bill Burkett, said he made the call at the suggestion of CBS producer Mary Mapes.
"He had some advice on how to deal with the Vietnam issue and the Swift boat" allegations, Lockhart said Monday, referring to GOP-fueled accusations that Kerry exaggerated his Vietnam War record. "He said these guys play tough and we have to put the Vietnam experience into context and have Kerry talk about it more."
Lockhart said he thanked Burkett for his advice after a three to four minute call.
Lockhart said he does not recall talking to Burkett about Bush's Guard records. "It's baseless to say the Kerry campaign had anything to do with this," he said.
CBS News apologized Monday for a "mistake in judgment" in its story questioning Bush's Guard service, claiming it was misled by the source of documents that several experts have dismissed as fakes.
Burkett admitted this weekend to CBS that he lied about obtaining the documents from another former National Guard member, the network said. CBS hasn't been able to conclusively tell how he got them, or even whether they're fakes or not.
Kerry ally Max Cleland, a former Georgia senator, also said he had a brief conversation last month with Burkett, who told him he had information about Bush to counter charges against Kerry's Vietnam War service. Cleland said he gave Burkett's name and phone number to the campaign's research department.
Kerry spokesman David Ginsberg said nobody in the campaign's research department followed up on Burkett's offer of information.
Lockhart said Mapes asked him the weekend before the story broke to call Burkett. "She basically said there's a guy who is being helpful on the story who wants to talk to you," Lockhart said, adding that it was common knowledge that CBS was working on a story raising questions about Bush's Guard service. Mapes told him there were some records "that might move the story forward. She didn't tell me what they said."
How can CBS report news if they are collaborating with 60 minutes producers as admitted by Joe Lockheart? Uhm.......Nobody finds that problematic?
"Lockhart said he does not recall talking to Burkett about Bush's Guard records. "It's baseless to say the Kerry campaign had anything to do with this," he said."
___________
This is not a catagorical denial. It is non-denial denial; in effect saying "You can't prove it, ha, ha, ha."
But the pajamadeen has started to taste blood, and we ain't backin' down.
I never had sex with that woman.....
To: National Desk
Contact: Chad Clanton or Phil Singer, 202-464-2800, both of Kerry-Edwards 2004
WASHINGTON, Sept. 20 /U.S. Newswire/ -- Kerry-Edwards campaign senior advisor Joe Lockhart released the following statement today:
"Once again, George Bush just can't tell the truth about Iraq. John Kerry was talking about the difference between Saddam Hussein being free in Iraq to direct insurgency operations against our troops versus being captured. John Kerry made clear today we can't change the reality of Iraq until we have a president who's willing to face the reality of Iraq."
http://www.usnewswire.com/
-0-
/© 2004 U.S. Newswire 202-347-2770/
She'll get the axe after the election. Remember, she's celebrated as the woman who "broke" the Abu Ghraib prison abuse story (not true, but it plays well in the media).
This fat bastard says that with a straight face, after talking to CBS' "unimpeachable source"?
These people are living in a parallel universe.
Also, this permitted Mapes to give the dems a heads up to roll those "privileged son" ads.
Lockhart said he does not recall talking to Burkett about Bush's Guard records. "It's baseless to say the Kerry campaign had anything to do with this," he said.
Well.
I find it interesting that both Cleland and Lockhart make a point of saying their conversations with Burkett were 3-4 minutes (I'm pretty sure that's almost exactly the phrase Cleland used, too).
And we now have an "I don't recall". Why wouldn't he recall, I ask rhetorically.
Sorry, over here.
Can you post that lovely summation of crime over here? I shed a tear when I read it, because I can't type and remain objective - my glee spills over.
That might move the story forward? Sounds like she wanted to move the story forward by becoming part of it. This, IMHO, is the most damning part of the whole story.
Good ol' AP
This Mapes hosebag played a role in hyping the Abu Graib stuff to the delight of the entire MSM. Shame to see her career ended.
Gee, I wonder when the last heads up that CBS gave an RNC source on a story was...uhm...(crickets chirping)...hmmm...welll......gosh....
When did Lockheart join the Kerry Camp?
This is all the more reason to not have Bob Sciffer (sp) as moderator for one of the debates.
That is exactly what I was thinking.
FREEPERS connected these dots long ago and WE aren't giving up on the story.
Excellent, excellent point.
As Mapes' father said today (reported on Fox,of course): "I am ashamed of what she has become: a damned liberal!" (or words to that effect).
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