SwiftVets.com

[integritycounts]

August 31, 2004
THE VETERANS http://www.nytimes.com/2004/08/31/politics/campaign/31swift.html?pagewanted=print&position=
Ex-President Bush Calls Charges of Swift Boat Group Compelling
By JAMES BENNET

Former President George Bush fanned doubts yesterday about Senator John Kerry's service in Vietnam, sustaining a decades-old debate that has dominated the presidential campaign in the last few weeks.

In an interview with CNN, Mr. Bush did not directly challenge Mr. Kerry's record but rather, with the subtlety of a seasoned pro, parried questions in a way to gently bat the controversy aloft.

Pressed about advertisements by a group called Swift Boat Veterans for Truth, Mr. Bush called "rather compelling" the claims of some veterans who have attacked Mr. Kerry's service, and he noted that others had accused these veterans of lying. "I have great confidence in Bob Dole," he added. "I don't think he'd be out there just smearing."

The reference was to the former Kansas senator, who recently used a similar technique to avoid repeating the accusations, which are mostly unsubstantiated, while suggesting they might have merit. "Not every one of these people can be Republican liars," Mr. Dole said of Mr. Kerry's accusers on Aug. 22, also on CNN. "There's got to be some truth to the charges."

Former President Bush said Mr. Kerry "served honorably," but added of the veterans attacking him, "I don't know enough about them to say they're all liars."

Mr. Bush said that President Bush had been "victimized" by independent political groups - like the Swift boat veterans - running attack advertisements against him. He cited the liberal group MoveOn.Org and also mentioned "this sloppy Michael Moore," the filmmaker.

"For months before the president started campaigning, he was attacked by all kinds of people," his father said.

The former president said that in his last campaign, in 1992, he was "very careful" not to attack his opponent, Bill Clinton, for avoiding service in Vietnam.

But at his own nominating convention that year, he drew a comparison between his service as a naval aviator in World War II and the record of Mr. Clinton, then governor of Arkansas. "Well, what about the leader of the Arkansas National Guard, the man who hopes to be commander in chief?" Mr. Bush asked in his speech accepting the nomination. "Well, while I bit the bullet, he bit his nails."

The former president also spoke yesterday at a rally for veterans, held on the margins of the convention in front of the aircraft carrier Intrepid, which was commissioned in 1943 and is now docked as a museum on Manhattan's West Side.

Standing before 10 American flags, Mr. Bush noted that veterans of World War II have been called the "greatest generation," but said he was not sure that was right. He said there were "heroes today defending our country, just as we did in Vietnam, just as we did in Korea."

In an apparent digression from his prepared remarks, he defended his son against the criticisms of protesters outside the convention. He said that "good Americans" could disagree on how to fight terrorism, but he added that "personal attacks against the commander in chief go far beyond the pale." He condemned "the senseless talk we hear from some marching around here now."

[Richard Christiansen]

Good News. I think the president as well as others supporting him are behaving very wisely and circumspect in how this story is handled. The president himself is wise to stay above the fray, while others allow the truth to speak for itself.
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Big Red One & 25th, Lai Khe, Etc - 69-70

[integritycounts]

McCain is clearly on the record as saying....everything after Kerry got back is fair game..... It may be we disagree on the lies of his service....and as he was not there, you can not truly blame him for that....I do a bit myself....but we can not TRULY blame him for his opinion on Kerry in Vietnam.

But as far as McCain says....Kerry back in the States, his speeches, his lies, his book, his TV appearence.....all that.....is fair game.

Democrats have incorrectly portrayed McCain, he is fine with the 2nd Ad, and Likely the 3rd since that was said on the Floor of the Senate

[DenisC]

I saw ad #2 on CNN this morning in S. Florida. Looking forward to seeing 3 & 4 soon.
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DenisC
173rd Airborne, RVN '65-67'

[BuffaloJack]

I kind of agree with McCain. Kerry did not directly attack the troops until after he left Vietnam. If we disregard his in-country antics, his after CONUS arrival activities are still reprehensible and fair game for any attack we might pursue.

[Son Of The Godfather]

[lolajl]

It definitely is fair game. And what about his work on the POW/MIA issues?

[one more captins mast]

Who else in active poticial service in the elected body of


Congress or the Senate WERE AT MEETINGS WHERE


THERE WAS TALK OF KILLING MEMBERS OF THE


CONGRESS AND SENATE.???????????????????????????????????

If he knew of the talk , and he did not call to report was

he not is legal trouble, for sure if some of it happened.


plain nut case, and all he sees is his mirror


and the mirror goes tried.
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the strange mr aj

[Tom Poole]

George Herbert Walker Bush turned 80 June 12 and he got it. My mother turned 88 last February and she got it. I believe anyone who studies this material, reads the book and listens to Flipper John will find the broad picture absolutely compelling. He's a creepy, cheesy, little punk who needs to run away again and make the world a better place. Even Tom Daschle got it and, along with Terry McAuliffe, he's the most mean spirited, vitriolic member of the other side. I wonder if the DNC Chairman now will get it and turn against Flipper John.
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'58 Airedale HMR(L)-261 VMO-2

[RocketFett]

I think this proves that W. Bush does appreciate the efforts of SBVT, because him, and his father are on the same page and have a very close relationship. Former President Bush can say what he really thinks, and clearly he agrees with the SBVT movement. I really believet hat W. Bush would speak of his approval of the ads if it wasn't illegal to do so.