Posted on 08/21/2004 11:14:55 AM PDT by kattracks
WASHINGTON - Sen. John Kerry (news - web sites)'s campaign released a video Saturday comparing the controversy over Kerry's Vietnam service to attacks on John McCain during the 2000 Republican primaries.The video, sent via e-mail to supporters, says, "George Bush is up to his old tricks" and shows then-Texas Gov. Bush and Arizona Sen. John McCain (news, bio, voting record) at a debate in February 2000.
McCain, sitting next to Bush, says that when "fringe veterans groups" attacked him at a Bush campaign function, Bush stood by and didn't say a word. McCain says a group of senators wrote Bush a letter that said: "Apologize. You should be ashamed."
McCain, also a Vietnam veteran, says Bush "really went over the line."
"I don't know how you can understand this, George, but that really hurts," McCain says.
Swift Boat Veterans for Truth, a group funded in part by a top GOP donor in Texas, has been running ads featuring veterans who served in Vietnam at the same time as Kerry and question his wartime record.
In Roanoke, Va., on Saturday, Democratic vice presidential candidate John Edwards (news - web sites) called on Bush to end the ads.
"This is a moment of truth for George W. Bush," Edwards said at a Democratic rally. "We're going to see what kind of man he is and what kind of leader he is. ... We want to hear three words: Stop these ads."
Edwards said the commercials were from "people who financed the same kind of attacks against John McCain in the 2000 presidential campaign."
The Kerry campaign has filed a complaint with the Federal Election Commission (news - web sites), alleging the Swift Boat Veterans group is coordinating its ads with the Bush campaign. The Bush campaign has denied the claim.
I'll bet the ad really makes him nervous!
The polls showed Dukakis way ahead too. Whose campaign is way off message now? Whose campaign is attacking 1st Amendment rights, calling for books to be taken off the market? If this was a prizefight Kerry would be on his way back to the locker room now. It wouldn't matter that he was an odds on favorite to win, they'd take one look at him drooling and staggering about the ring and off he'd go. Wake up and smell the coffee! Better yet take a look at the second Swiftee ad!
Flame me all you want - this Swiftie thing is going to help Kerry ultimately.
94 posted on 08/21/2004 12:26:46 PM PDT by over3Owithabrain
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True - because they aren't Bush attacks. But those Swifties are sure drawing blood.
McCain needs to object to being used this way - they'll still do it, but at least he will be on record - I mean, if he doesn't want to appear to be a Kerry supporter.
On the other hand, I'd point out to Soundman4x4 and over3withabrain that the Swifties have outright stated that "They don't care" if their message hurts the Bush campaign so long as it gets the truth out about Kerry.
Many of those guys are registered Dems who voted for Gore in 2K.
The media will portray them all as "Blue Ribbon Members" of the VRWC, but they aren't. They just want their message out. This is about Kerry's betraying the 'Nam vets and that's it. They're going to do it no matter what the conservatives say. If the public opinion turns against us they'd still be putting their ads out there.
I'm not saying this is a good thing (Ok, I still think it is and have donated myself) but it's going to happen whether we like it or not.
The best thing we can hope for is that the rats get whupped and CFR is thrown out by both parties over the next 4 years (As if the RINOs will ever give us an even playing field.)
Amen about CFR. Many of us here warned against W signing that abomination and trusting the SCOTUS. Now we see what an abortion it is. Way to go McCain, I hope you're proud!
How silly that idea is.
a) file a lawsuit;
b) send out every shill and his brother on the talking heads shows;
c) put out its own ad;
d) have Kerry campaigning during the two weeks he already said he would TAKE OFF; and
e) spend more money on counter-ads that Kerry doesn't have.
Yahoo, Reuters, AP, same thing. All commies all the time. Make a little guess which propaganda service writes an article as you click on it. That's what I do.
Pray for W and Our Troops
I can hear him now, "Those guys are being mean to me"!
ahhhhhh, I get it ... it's the denunciation of the ads that counts (and, of course, the source of the ads' funding) ....not the ads' content, not whether or not Kerry served honorably during and after his time in VN, not whether he's a resume enhancer, or served as a pawn of the Viet Cong to the detriment of his larger "band of brothers."
Kerry's denunciation of the latest Moveon ad, after nary a peep about their first $68 million investment in anti-Bush ads over six months is a little late in the day. Kerry is not well positioned to comment on Bush's comments or lack of same about ONE $500K ad buy by individuals who put their names and faces to the ad, not hiding behind a voice over.
Please. Who could possibly take this article seriously?
Good point!
Unfazed? Keep on spinning - they are scared to death.
Thanks for the ping!
No. It's time for the Swifties to play 'smashmouth.'
They're credible. Unlike Kerry.
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