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« Cooking With Candidates | Main | Love It » August 23, 2004
Monday Morning Coffee
Posted by Bill My daily e-mail from the Kerry campaign: Dear Bill, George Bush and his Republican friends have become so desperate that they are returning to their old tricks -- whenever a campaign is going badly, they smear the record of a Vietnam veteran. They did it to John McCain in 2000, to Max Cleland in 2002, and now they are doing it to John Kerry. The question must be asked of President Bush: what do you have against Vietnam veterans? Our campaign has just released a new Internet ad called "Old Tricks" which shows John McCain asking George Bush to apologize for attacking McCain's own heroic record A front group for the Bush campaign called "Swift Boat Veterans for Truth" is continuing to spread their lies about John Kerry's military record. Their statements have been contradicted by official Navy records, the New York Times, the Washington Post, the Chicago Tribune and every man who served under John Kerry -- yet George Bush refuses to condemn their tactics. Through his silence, George Bush is approving their action. And Bush campaign officials in Florida are even promoting events for this front group. Enough is enough. No matter what these Bush campaign shills now say, John Kerry's commanders remarked in 1969 that, "In a combat environment often requiring independent, decisive action, LTJG Kerry was unsurpassed." In fact, all of John Kerry's performance reports (available on our website) display an absolutely heroic record of service. These people play for keeps. They unleash relentless attacks, one wave after another, and it isn't going to stop. Everybody needs to see our ad and reflect on how our country can do better. We need you to get the truth out by forwarding this email to your friends, family and co-workers. Tell George Bush to denounce these attacks by clicking here Thank you, Mary Beth Cahill A couple of things: 1. I've always liked McCain, but he's clearly trying to have it both ways here, and it's turning me against him. No wonder he can't garner a nomination from either party. I wonder what he thinks about Bob Dole's opinion: Dole told CNN's "Late Edition" that Kerry may have himself to blame for the current situation, in which polls show him losing support among veterans. "One day, he's saying that we were shooting civilians, cutting off their ears, cutting off their heads, throwing away his medals or his ribbons," Dole said. "The next day, he's standing there, 'I want to be president because I'm a Vietnam veteran,'" said Dole, whose World War II wounds left him without the use of his right arm. "Maybe he should apologize to all the other 2.5 million veterans who served. He wasn't the only one in Vietnam." Exactly. And the Swift Vets' response to McCain: Swift Boat Veterans for Truth has more than 250 members, many of whom were wounded or highly decorated in Vietnam. We purchased with our blood and service the right to be heard, to set the record straight about our unit, and to tell the truth about John Kerry's military service record. We respect Senator McCain's right to express his opinion and we hope he extends to us the same respect and courtesy, particularly since we served with John Kerry, we knew him well and Senator McCain did not.
UPDATE: Swift Vets' response via Dean, who is on the exact same wavelength: But I've noticed that a tiny little group of veterans who worked side-by-side with you in Vietnam, called the Swift Boat Vets for Truth, has been making major waves. But the funniest part has been how you've reacted to them. I know that from inside the campaign you don't realize how things look on the outside, so I thought you'd want to know: It doesn't look too good from out here, Senator. Posted by Bill at August 23, 2004 08:59 AM | TrackBack (3) CommentsI thought I read somewhere that McCain asked Kerry NOT to use his statements, image or name in any ad. I'm also curious if he has offered any additional commentary since that first "dishonorable/dishonest" one. Posted by: bains at August 23, 2004 09:30 AM Funny thing about John McCain in 2000, to Max Cleland in 2002 -- they both LOST. Posted by: Iraqi Intelligence at August 23, 2004 11:14 AM Unless the DNC can prove a relationship between the President's campaign and the Swiftboat Vets isn't this statement libellous? They are accusing people of a felony, unless I am mistaken. Of course, being a trial lawyer I suppose Senator Edwards is the man to ask. Posted by: Ghost of a flea at August 23, 2004 01:18 PM "pretty shrill e-mail from Mary Beth, huh?" Everything from Mary Beth is shrill. Posted by: yehudit at August 23, 2004 07:19 PM I really have to wonder about McCain. The man was a POW, he learned all about Kerry long before he returned to the US. From everything I understand about him, he is a good man and he served his country well, in the military and in the Senate. Is Kerry holding something over him? BTW, have you heard that the SwiftVets ad was a hit on Friday? According to a Fox interview with Van Odell on Sunday, the SwiftVets received about $400K on their website that day. Posted by: Lornkanaga at August 23, 2004 08:57 PM According to a Fox interview with Van Odell on Sunday, the SwiftVets received about $400K on their website that day. Yeah, and they got $25 more from me yesterday. Everything from Mary Beth is shrill. Yup, but so insightful as well. Didja know that Bush betrayed his country by not serving in Vietnam? Well, it's true, 'cause Mary Beth said so, by gum. Now put that in your crack pipe and smoke it, Repuglican beeaatch! Posted by: Tongue Boy at August 24, 2004 01:48 PM |
