If I'm naive, then you're living in the past. If socialists truly controlled the press as they did pre-cable and pre-internet then we'd have heard little or nothing from the Swifties.
The MSM, I admit, has been dragged kicking and screaming into this story but in it they are now. Check out the articles that are finally appearing in the Wash. Post, the Chicago Sun-Times and other large city papers that are questioning Kerry's version of the events and giving credence to the Swifties. That's been forced on them by Fox News, internet bloggers and Drudge.It'll only get worse for Kerry as these papers can't avoid any longer taking up the cry for Kerry to fully release his records.
Bush was smart to take an issue away from Kerry by deploring all of the 527, most of whom support Kerry. Bush and McCain know that nothing is going to silence ANY of the 527s without additional legislation. That has zero chance of occurring before next year if ever.
So Bush has taken an issue away from Kerry without having to give anything up himself. Kerry can't logically criticize Bush on the Swifties without answering why he doesn't condemn and call for silencing his 527s or admitting as Bush has that he has no control over them. If he does, he ends up looking like a hypocrite to the independents and moderate Democrats. Their votes are the one's that will win or lose the election.
You are wrong. Bush gave up a hell of a lot. The couple hundred thousand $$$ the Swift Boat Vets spent got FAR more mileage than the $65 million or so Democratic 527 $$$. Bush screwed himself by trying to silence the Vets both because of effectiveness of the Swifties AND because Bush wants to silence free speech.
If he does, he ends up looking like a hypocrite to the independents and moderate Democrats. Their votes are the one's that will win or lose the election.
You are wrong again. There is no such thing as moderate democrats and independents. If a voters are not solidly for Bush or Kerry right now, 99% of them will vote for Kerry. And regarding your "hypocrite" commment, the press always makes Bush or any "R" look like a hypocrite to the ignorant masses so you are once again incorrect.
Bush will lose if he does not energize core Republicans and some nonvoters who may decide to vote this year. Trying to silence the Swift Boat Vets will not gain Bush any voters but will cost Bush votes as many conservatives throw in the towel after watching Bush pull a pro-Kerry stunt like that.