Kerry 'Doesn't Know' About Bush's National Guard Service

CNSNEWS.com ^ | 2/04/04 | Susan Jones

[kattracks]

(CNSNews.com) - Sen. John F. Kerry, a decorated Vietnam War veteran, Tuesday "defended" President Bush's choice to serve in the National Guard -- but then, in the same breath, Kerry appeared to equate National Guard service with draft-dodging.

In an interview on Fox News' Hannity & Colmes show Tuesday night, Sean Hannity asked Kerry if Democrats such as Party Chairman Terry McAuliffe are being fair in criticizing President Bush's National Guard service. Bush learned to fly fighter jets while serving in the National Guard, but he was never called for active duty.

McAuliffe infuriated Republicans Sunday when he accused Bush of being "AWOL" during his stint in the National Guard.

"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 Alabama National Guard," McAuliffe said on ABC's "This Week With George Stephanopoulos."

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

"You really helped Bill Clinton on the issue of Vietnam," Hannity said in an interview with Kerry Tuesday night. "Do you think the comments that have been made [about Bush] by some in your party are fair?" Hannity continued.

"Well, I don't know the facts on it [Bush's National Guard service]," Kerry said.

"What I've always said is -- and I defended Bill Clinton's position, and I would defend the president's choice with respect to going into the Guard.

"I've never made any judgments about any choice somebody made about avoiding the draft, about going to Canada, going to jail, being a conscientious objector, going into the National Guard. Those are choices people make," Kerry said.

"But there is a question that's been raised about whether -- about what his service was. And I don't know the answers to those questions," Kerry said.

On Monday, Kerry said he hasn't decided whether to make Bush's military record a campaign issue. "I haven't made up my mind," he was quoted as saying.

'Shame'

The Bush administration Tuesday defended President Bush's National Guard service.

White House press secretary Scott McClellan called it a "shame" that the issue came up four years ago, during the 2000 presidential campaign, "and it is a shame that it is being brought up again."

McClellan told reporters, "The president fulfilled his [military] duties. The president was honorably discharged. I think it is sad to see some stoop to this level."

The questions center on a one-year period during the Vietnam War, when Bush served in the Texas Air National Guard: Did he report for drills or not?

Bush's aides have said he did indeed report to his assigned Alabama base -- doing mostly "paper-shuffling," Ari Fleischer said four years ago, when he was Bush's campaign spokesman and these questions first came up.

Bush has said he remembers taking part in drills at the Alabama base, but the administration did not release any new details about that service on Tuesday.

As Kerry looks more and more likely to win his party's presidential nomination, Democrats already are comparing Kerry's "heroic" war service with Bush's "questionable" service in the National Guard.

Republicans, on the other hand, want to make Kerry's liberal voting record the issue.

The election is about nine months away.

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[#3Fan]

When McAuliffe speaks, Bush's approval ratings rise 7 points.

[kellynla]

Kerry & McAwful should call up Bill Klinton...he can tell them all about "draft-dodging!" ROFLMAO

[Cobra64]

Anyone have McAuliff's resume, or know his military background?

[CROSSHIGHWAYMAN]

Wowee, Kerry drove a boat in a river and along the coast.

Bush learned how to fly a jet plane.

If I were Kerry, I would not brag too loudly.

[AfghanIraqVeteran]

What do all the men and women who served in the National Guard during this time period think about this? He may have screwed himself by equating NG service with draft dodging...

[malia]

Bill Richardson has been seen around town!!!

Kerry and Richardson!

[areafiftyone]

Yup and he doesn't know what Botox is either. He needs another bolt screwed in his head.

[mtbopfuyn]

Hey, Kerry! Have you quit beating your wife?

[G.Mason]

"I"I've never made any judgments about any choice somebody made about avoiding the draft, about going to Canada, going to jail, being a conscientious objector, going into the National Guard. Those are choices people make," Kerry said."

Going to Canada?
Going to jail?
Being a conscientious objector?

Lumped in with going into the National Guard?

Well now, that should make thousands of present, and past National Guard men, and women, real happy!


"Suppose you were an idiot. And suppose you were a member of Congress. But I repeat myself -- Mark Twain

[G.Mason]

That picture is a keeper!

Thanks

[thesummerwind]

When McAuliffe speaks, Bush's approval ratings rise 7 points.

you wish... McA. is scum, but I think it's only about 2 points when he speaks up, thanks to the lamestream media filter.

Now, all we need is for McAuliffe, the steaming pile of waste, to speak once a month for the next nine months and we'll be in business!

[kylaka]

Suitable for framing.

[weegee]

"What I've always said is -- and I defended Bill Clinton's position,..."

Mr. Kerry do you now or have you ever loathed the military?

[VANHALEN2002]

Why don't they just say that he was Commander in Chief of the US Armed Forces and he won 2 wars. That should shut their yaps about military service.

[mystery-ak]

*Never served in our military*....hmmmmm...the Guard isn't military...then WHAT THE HELL IS MY HUSBAND IN IRAQ FOR?.....he'll be gone 15mos before he gets to come home. Has lost 1 Chinook in a RPG attack, lost 3 crew members....has been mortared on a daily basis in Balad......I want answers, McAwful has insulted all Guardmens and their families....I WANT AN APOLOGY.

[areafiftyone]

If he becomes president (god forbid) that will be the official portrait!

[U S Army EOD]

The reason Kerry is down playing is that now they are finding the Bush had a pretty good record as a pilot and was thought to have been much better than average.

As far as the Guard during the Vietnam era and them not serving, don't forget.

Ohio National Guard 4 Kent State 0.

[#3Fan]

Senator Kerry is really going to anger alot of Military people who serve in Great Danger to Protect Us. There are alot of National Guardsmen over in the Middle East right now. Further, President Bush was ranked in the top 5% of the Pilots by his Commander, and as pointed out the Bird he flew so well was an extremely dangerous one with a high fatality rate. Hats off to Him and he treats Our Military with True Respect!!

True!