Democratic Chief Says 'AWOL' Bush Will Be an Issue After a Nominee Emerges

New York Times ^ | 02/02/04 | KATHARINE Q. SEELYE

[KQQL]

OSEVILLE, Mich., Feb. 1 — With the Democratic presidential candidates campaigning across the country on Sunday, the chairman of the Democratic National Committee accused President Bush of being AWOL during his Air National Guard service, a signal of the ferocious campaign ahead once the Democrats finish with one another.

Revisiting an issue that arose briefly at the end of the last presidential election, the chairman, Terry McAuliffe, said he expected Mr. Bush's record of military service in the 1970's to become an issue this fall, particularly if the Democrats nominate the front-runner, Senator John Kerry of Massachusetts.

Mr. McAuliffe said he was staying neutral in the fight for his party's nomination. But, he said, if Mr. Kerry is the nominee, Mr. McAuliffe will relish comparing him with Mr. Bush.

"I look forward to that debate, when John Kerry, a war hero with a chest full of medals, is standing next to George Bush, a man who was AWOL" in the National Guard, Mr. McAuliffe said on the ABC program "This Week."

"George Bush never served in our military in our country," he said. "He didn't show up when he should have showed up."

Ed Gillespie, chairman of the Republican National Committee, called the comments "slanderous."

"President Bush served honorably in the National Guard," Mr. Gillespie said in a telephone interview. "He was never AWOL. To make an accusation like that on national television with no basis in fact is despicable."

The issue of Mr. Bush's military service arose when the filmmaker Michael Moore, a supporter of Gen. Wesley K. Clark, called Mr. Bush a deserter at a rally last month.

Mr. McAuliffe's attack on Mr. Bush seemed partly pre-emptive, suggesting that the Democrats would swing back hard if the Republicans tried to portray Mr. Kerry, decorated for his service in Vietnam, as weak on national security because in his Senate career he has voted against increasing the Pentagon budget.

It might also have been a diversionary tactic by Mr. McAuliffe, who has watched with dismay as the Democratic candidates deliver increasingly harsh blows at one another. If that was the case, it failed.

Howard Dean continued to blast Mr. Kerry on Sunday, saying Mr. Kerry had taken more money from lobbyists than any other senator in the last 15 years. Citing an article in Time magazine that said Mr. Kerry once corresponded with Johnny Chung, who later pleaded guilty to illegally funneling money to the Kerry campaign, Dr. Dean said Mr. Kerry owed voters an apology.

"He misrepresented himself, grossly misrepresented himself, as a candidate who would take on special interests in Washington," Dr. Dean told reporters on his campaign plane. "We cannot go on in this country having United States senators and public officials gather their money from people who they then perform favors for."

Mr. Kerry told reporters that the Chung story was old news. "The moment we had learned anything about that contribution," he said, "we returned the entire contribution."

On Saturday Mr. Kerry fired back, saying that Dr. Dean had conflicts of his own and had had to seal his records from his days as governor of Vermont to hide them. He also said that two of Dr. Dean's top campaign aides had been corporate lobbyists.

But Mr. Kerry generally held his fire on Sunday, staying in Fargo, N.D., and taking the posture of a front-runner as he anticipated a strong showing in Tuesday's string of primaries and caucuses. He also spurned the idea of a one-on-one debate with Dr. Dean, which he proposed before he won in Iowa and in New Hampshire.

"We're in a seven-state primary," Mr. Kerry said. "I don't have time right now."

Dr. Dean, who has said he does not expect to win in any of the seven states that hold contests on Tuesday, said he would drop out of the race if someone else accumulated enough delegates to claim the nomination. But he also told reporters that he did not expect anyone to do that before the convention.

He said on the NBC program "Meet the Press" that he intended to stay in the race through March 2, "Super Tuesday," when delegate-rich states like California and New York vote.

Mr. Kerry appeared to be running out the clock. Instead of charging off on Sunday to a populous state with more delegates than North Dakota, he stayed in Fargo to watch the Super Bowl.

Speaking to a crowd of about 600 North Dakotans at the Fargo Air Museum at midday Sunday, Mr. Kerry repeated his standard stump speech. He did not back off from his sharp criticisms of the Bush administration as being hostage to special interests, even in the face of continued sharp attacks from Dr. Dean.

[backhoe]

Please, God, let them be stupid enough to try to use this GIGO:

Let's start here:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1066746/posts

Is President Bush a Deserter? How the military defines the crime.
Slate ^ | Brendan I. Koerner
There are LINKS in this article to follow, so click on the link and take a gander at Bill Hobbs debunking of this crap.

Was Bush "AWOL"?

Bush 'Desertion' Charge Debunked
The Real Military Record of George W. Bush: Not Heroic, but Not AWOL, Either

 

 

Debunkers: 

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1064541/posts

Bush 'Desertion' Charge Debunked
NewsMax ^ | 1/24/04 | Limbacher

...in the months before the 2000 presidential election, the New York Times pretty much demolished this Democratic Party urban legend...

Related thread from Oct. 2000.

---

Then move here:

-John Kerry- some selected, informative links...--

---

And finally, plenty of info about Loathsome Terry among these many links:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/723210/posts

Liars-- and Sleaze, Incorporated... ( my files on the clintons and friends )

various links | 7-27-02 | The Heavy Equipment Guy

[longtermmemmory]

Democrats operate by the repeated lie = truth.

Even IF it can be debunked. Even IF it is not a techical violation. The McAufuls will use surrogates like mikael moore to repeat the lie.

This is why I am really really hoping for an aggressive counter campaign. The concept of being above the fray failed miserably in 1992. Rove better be willing to fight fire with fire and take no prisoners or even if Bush wins, he will still have lost.

[BenR2]

I guess completing pilot training and flying F-102's isn't enough for you.

/////////
Enough for me? That is irrelevant.

But if it wasn't enough for the USAF, that is another matter: He had a commitment to serve out.

The question can be fairly asked, how was this young pilot serving out his commitment by NOT flying in Alabama?

If he met his obligations fair and square, so be it, but there is nothing wrong with ANYONE asking if he skated due to being the scion of a wealthy family.

Furthermore, he was the heir of a known wealthy family. The Bushes are not nobodies, my dear. Puhleeeese.

[backhoe]

This is why I am really really hoping for an aggressive counter campaign. The concept of being above the fray failed miserably in 1992. Rove better be willing to fight fire with fire and take no prisoners or even if Bush wins, he will still have lost.

I agree- the best defense is a good offense. They need to get moving.

[NYCVirago]

Bush, however is not running for President. He IS the president. If the rats duck his record as President and focus on something that happened decades ago - they will only get their usual brain dead block of voters (~40% of the electorate)

If the shoe were on the other foot, the libs would say this is "old news", and it's time to move on.

[Caipirabob]

Personally, I have nothing to brag about, I used the 2-S Student Deferment during the same time period to escape military service.

If I had been called to serve under Clinton's questionable judgement, I would have done the same thing.

[NMFXSTC]

Kerry EARNED the right to "switch sides"...GWB failed to show, failed to comply, and struts his stuff like a veteran (which he damn well is NOT!)

[xzins]

Pres. Bush has an honorable discharge. It's a fact.

It is also possible that Bush has as much or MORE active duty time (AD + Monthly+ Annual training) than does Kerry.

In 3.6 years of NG, Bush could have accumulated up to 223 "drill days" to go with his nearly 2 years active duty in pilot training. That gives him an equivalency of over 2.5 years of active duty.

Also, I would hit hard on the fact that John Kerry begged to get out of service BEFORE his time was up, and therefore, got a "DROP" from active duty of more than a few months.

It will force them to be the ones to ADMIT the unusual rules that were in place for everyone in those days.

[StonyBurk]

So given his record--If Kerry were to become President--
God Forbid-- would he do like Clinton --and Lie to the
American people and Congress before he illegally deploys
the troops(like Clinton did in that open ended -never
ending deployment to Macedonia) And then when the body
bags come home--will Presidnet God Forbid Kerry then
throw the Constitution over the fence? then insist we ought
support him because he is John Kerry of VVAW?I wasn't born on the 4th of July--and don't claim to be a war hero--but
my eyes were opened whenthe nation was decieved into accepting the abomnible Clintons.

[q_an_a]

the story is proof the hindsight is not 20/20. the 2002 elections proved people are tired of negative attacks, especially on President Bush. let the RATS go down this path, so many people in the guard and reserve today are pulling time "in country" and neighbors know this is not a hiding place. let them talk about the guard as a ruse of service it makes President Bush look better.

[wayoverontheright]

"George Bush never served in our military in our country," he said. "He didn't show up when he should have showed up."

This shows the futility the Dims are experiencing. They tried this in 2000, it didn't work, and now after Bush serves admirably as Commander in Chief for four years, they attempt to impugn his qualifications again. For what other reason would you cast light on a candidates military record if not to qualify him as CIC?

It's like "Yeah, Tom Brady quarterbacked the Super Bowl winner but he still has a lot to prove in the area of leadership".

[shhrubbery!]

The Real Military Record of George W. Bush: Not Heroic, but Not AWOL, Either
(George Magazine, October 2000)

[shhrubbery!]

From the Annenberg Public Policy Center of the University of Pennsylvania (hardly a right-wing outfit):

Bush A Military “Deserter?” Calm Down, Michael
"Clark backer Michael Moore calls President Bush a 'deserter' for missing Air National Guard drills 31 years ago. Puh-lease!"

[BenLurkin]

The "right" to switch sides? I don't think so.

Oh - maybe Kerry will get a monument like the one to this "patriot":

[WorkingClassFilth]

I read your bio. I agree with everything you stand for politically. I do not, however, look for perfection or purity in public leadership. The old adage about the chance that a secret will be told is the square of those that know it is similar to this situation. If religious leaders don't tow an obvious line, how in the world can one trust secular leaders with greater deeds?

You say that you are a Christian and yet you have problems with another Christian that does not advance the political agenda that you or I might. I disagree with Mr. Dobson on a lot more grounds than you, but I still take him as an ally, albeit in a different sector of the overall war. To me, politics and religion are totally different things. Render unto Caesar what is Caesar's...

After the beautiful idealism of youth is disfigured with reality, we must ask 'how much good can be achieved?' In my view, political choices are like marriage the second time around. The blind infatuation is long gone and a clearer picture of the real bargain is gained. The questions are whether or not your better off without a perspective mate and whether or not you've got the grit to make it work.

In other words, a realistic enough outlook to know that there is no such thing as a perfect match is paramount or you'll only be looking for another after the honeymoon is over. In that case, IMHO, the problem lies with the individual looking for something "better."

[WorkingClassFilth]

Kerry's service record earns my thanks as a citizen. Everything else Kerry has ever done deserves my scorn.

Kerry didn't just "switch sides" as you suggest. Kerry is an active part of the effort to destroy the country - that is hardly a "side" in a healthy, earnest America. The Democrats used to have honorable men that served in the military and came home and fought for their political ideals - essentially American ideals. Just a generation ago, there were many.

Today, the RAT's seek the destruction of America and the rare puppets like Kerry with an actual record only serve as camouflage. Kerry's service record has no bearing - whatsoever - on the scum that he is today.

From an above post: http://www.vietnamveteransagainstjohnkerry.org/

[bushfamfan]

Sure, this coming from one of Bill Clintoon's closest friends and supporters. What a punk. Let them point out the fact that Bush wanted to become a pilot and did. They can keep digging and trying to disgrace him, but then that is just an equally opportunistic time for the Republicans to actually call into question Kerry's post-war behavior and his slandering of the GIs over there as rapists, torturers, the throwing of the medals, Jane Fonda rallies. Kerry's record in gov't is the fairest game of all and he is one miserable failure on national security and defense. Can't hide behind the 'he's a war hero' and isn't going to and they are beginning to panic and go to desperation tactics that are deserving of this President actually filing a slander lawsuit against them. Gillespie said it right-it is slander and needs to be treated as such. The Demonrats are wicked, demented people who stop at nothing. Republicans need to fight back and learn this is another form of war.

[GailA]

Here's another link to add to your collection:

Info to counter the Bush was awol crowd

Was Bush AWOL

[GailA]

Has any one turned up the original NT SLIMES article clearing W yet?

[WOSG]

Er, the Democrats are the ones proposing amnesty.

Havent you noticed?