Drudge running "bush deserter" story...developing

[supercrash]

www.drudgereport.com

Hitting big with this one

Questions will be asked

[barbaraann]

1. Bush is a deserter from the Presidency, too.

All he does is campaign, propagandize, vacation, and eat. Oh, and I forgot exact vengeance on anyone who displeases him.

[eyesroll]

2. He seems to be spinning it as a "loony Kerry" story, though...

I frankly don't remember Kerry (or anyone else in a position of power, for that matter) this home in 2000. Why didn't we?
(That's more of a rhetorical question.)

[supercrash]

I agree...

But I don't care how he spins it....It's being talked about, at the right time

[Timefortruth]

11. He can't run it as a Bush deserter story.

So he is taking it from the Kerry perspective. Drudge is contemptable, but I think he has never really liked Chimp.

This won't hurt Kerry. The White House has only one avswer to the charge, "That is old news" or the Rush standby, "That's an internet rumor." The last the Rove wants done with this story is that it be honestly vetted, so there will be no attack on Kerry.

Why is this story gaining traction now?

[papau]

17. Boston Globe ran with it for a couple of days - about 40 nationwide

media articles in mostly very small media markets just before the election -

and then it was buried under the "unfair" disclosure that Bush had lied about DUI in Maine.

[Stephanie]

22. But it's the WRONG Kerry - it's actually Kerrey (Bob)

Remember how Bob Kerrey was slimed IMMEDIATELY after he brought this up right before selection 2000? All of a sudden we were hearing ambiguous charges about an incident where civilians were killed in a mission of his in Vietnam. The BFEE smears anyone who gets in their way. Especially when they can't refute the charge.

[SalParadise]

26. It's even better if BOB Kerry said this!

If BOB Kerry said this & not John - what this will do is draw attention to the fact that bush went AWOL, allow JK to say he didn't say it & make drudge look like a moron all in one breath!

This is a very good thing.

[Stephanie]

3. Hah!

They are trying to use it against Kerry!

" FLASHBACK: Kerry in 2000 claimed it is a matter of character that Bush avoided duty oversees by joining the Texas Air National Guard. No documents have been found to show he reported for duty as ordered in Alabama in 1972... 'Those of us who were in the military wonder how it is that someone who is supposedly serving on active duty, having taken that oath, can miss a whole year of service without even explaining where it went,' said Kerry... Developing... "

[librechik]

20. Uh Oh, Drudge! Your ignorance and lazy factchecking "skills"

Have got you in serious trouble this time! I believe an APOLOGY to JOHN Kerry is approprate at this time!

Let's emai; Drudge and tell him that, k?

[SpiralHawk]

34. Druge's error creates an opportunity

for both Kerry and Kerrey to chime in again on this "delicate" subject. Both should have ample air and print opportunity to state their positions on serving out your term in the military in an honorable way.

Do I smell the media tide finally about to come in?

Sniff - sniff. checking around

[spotbird]

35. Here is the source:

Now Bob is mentioned in the Floridatoday article in the preceding paragraph, so there could have been confusion at the paper, but I doubt it. Either way there is attribution for Drudge to use.


http://www.floridatoday.com/news/local/stories/2000/nov/loc110500pols.htm
The Nebraska senator and Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry, both wounded in Vietnam, contended it's also a matter of character that Bush avoided duty oversees by joining the Texas Air National Guard. No documents have been found to show he reported for duty as ordered in Alabama in 1972.

"Those of us who were in the military wonder how it is that someone who is supposedly serving on active duty, having taken that oath, can miss a whole year of service without even explaining where it went," said Kerry.

Drudge:

No documents have been found to show he reported for duty as ordered in Alabama in 1972... 'Those of us who were in the military wonder how it is that someone who is supposedly serving on active duty, having taken that oath, can miss a whole year of service without even explaining where it went,' said Kerry... Developing...


The question is why does Drudge want this out?

[aquart]

4. Sheer entertainment.

Think Bush has found someone to claim he served with him in Alabama?

[BOSSHOG]

5. Let us do our part to keep this alive

"Deserter" MAY not be the correct technical terminology (relevant to the UCMJ). But the little bastard who has never been held accountable for anything in his life was, without a doubt, ABSENT WITHOUT LEAVE. Stir it up. A LTTE slanted towards the efforts of veterans in your town would do nicely. A call that anyone in the service who is charged with desertion or AWOL call bush as a character witness would make for great headlines. (WE ONLY NEED ONE TO DO IT). Lets poke Peter Jennings in the eye with the truth. I hear that really hurts a "journalist."

[displacedtexan]

8. Actually, let's thank Jennings for opening the gate.

Maybe Jennings had an agenda all along...

[BOSSHOG]

12. Excellent Synopsis

and I hope you are right. But Peter did not do a service to General Clark. Maybe if Jennings had George Will's integrity he could have given the General the question in advance.

[Timefortruth]

13. The Republicans weren't going to attack Clark on it, and still won't.

Jennings knew exactly what he was doing.

[Bush_Eats_Beef]

36. Jennings attempted a "guilt by association" ploy...

...and unfortunately forgot that Michael Moore is guilty of NOTHING.

It's the same crap Sean Hannity uses against every criticism of Bush, no matter how big or small: "I can't believe...at a time when this nation is at war...that you would accuse OUR PRESIDENT...etc etc etc, fill in the blanks."

Jennings set up Clark with a "simple" question about determining a man's character by the company he keeps and essentially put on the kneepads and begged Clark to hang himself.

Jennings officially placed the diamond tiara on his own head and crowned himself media whore nonpareil.

[SoCalDem]

6. ...Developing...

Nothing to see here folks..move along...

Drudge had to "know" about this in 1999, but of course, chose to ignore it..

This is a dead issue, I fear.. Bushie deserted durting Viet Nam, but he has his "new" war credentials, and that's what will be reported..:(

[w13rd0]

7. Does someone want to tell Drudge that his sloppy "journalism"...

...will affect his sperm count? I believe it's Bob Kerrey, not John Kerry, who raised questions regarding Bush in the NationalGuard in 2000...

What a moran...

[Stephanie]

9. Oh my God, you're right! It's BOB KERREY who raised the questions

That 2000 article is linked at the www.awolbush.com site.

Drudge is a slimey toad. But more press on AWOL is a good thing.

*edit* Very deceptive tactics. It's John KERRY and Bob KERREY. Drudge is using "Kerry." Typo? Proofreading error? Doubtful.

[KoKo]

15. and....if you notice he says Kerry and doesn't qualify which one it is....

he's doing a slime attack knowing most of his RW readers won't notice that. I think it's his "code" to them, to start the attacks. Maybe release their dossiers of John Kerry dirt which we know the attack dogs have (just as they have on ALL our candidates).

[Mistress Quickly]

16. ha ha we both caught that! n/t

[CatWoman]

29. both men spell their names differently...............

[displacedtexan]

10. So can J Kerry sue Drudge?

and B Kerrey has a Congressional Medal of Honor. Who's more credible: * or B Kerrey?

Duh.

[Timefortruth]

19. Why would he want to?

This is fantastic news! Drudge gets hits from everywhere. Some of those folks will start looking into the truth.

Most are dittos, and will think they know everything they need to but this is more than a drip.

Kerry should reply with something like, "Where Mr.Drudge met his normal journalistic standards when he attributed a quotation to me which was in fact said by someone with a name similar to mine, the question raised is a valid one. President Bush has never satisfactorily answered lingering questions about his time in the ANG, and the American people have a right to have that fundamental question answered. It goes to the fundamental character of the President to the United States."

[pinkpops]

24. can Moore sue Jennings?

[Mistress Quickly]

14. Notice he doesn't say JOHN Kerry

just Kerry. He's trying to mislead (imagine that).

[democrank]

18. Flood Drudge

with any sites you know of to substantiate the AWOL claim. I just sent two. We don`t know if we`ll ever get a chance like this again. Let`s show them that even though Bush can run we`re not going to let him hide!

[librechik]

39. Flood Drudge! It's Kerrey not Kerry!

and Kerrey was right! Bush is a deserter and a liar. His so-called "honorable" discharge from the guard was a bit of string pulling from Daddy. He must go to Jail, Go Directly to Jail Do Not Pass Go Do Not Collect $200!

[spotbird]

40. No it is Kerry, I found the exact link.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=104&topic_id=1051402#1051610

post 35 above.

[Bandit]

21. This is an easy one for our side.

When any right-winger says it's not true all we have to say is prove it. It is quite easy for Bush* to have his military records released just like every other candidate has done. If it isn't true then show us. Pay records are kept by the military and we would like to see pay stubs for the time in question. Easy "shit or get off the pot."

[spotbird]

23. He is keeping it up, and by know he has probably received

a few hundred calls and faxes.

Naw, he wants a way to release the AWOL story. There are no accidents.

[BeyondGeography]

25. Sorry, the quote is JOHN's, not Bob's

John will have some 'splainin' to do.

We talked about this yesterday:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=132&topic_id=176731

[spotbird]

28. If it was John I will be very disappointed if he retracts.

There comes a point that these guys just have to stick to their guns. The right attacked Clinton mercilessly as a draft dodger, when it wasn't even true, but * really did avoid a commitment he had entered into!

If it was John Kerry, and if he doesn't say something like. "There is no evidence that I'm aware of that the President met his obligation, this matter is worthy of attention." I will no longer vote for him on 2/3, and I mean it.

on edit: I'm satisfied that it was Bob after a very little bit of research. That said, John needs to take a stand, to question Bush on this issue is an honest stand. He must show that he will stand up to *&Co. in a campaign to have credibility now. Not to mention the timing is perfect. Suggesting that the matter merits attention will alienate no one that was going to vote for him anyway, it is Democrats and moderate independents that he needs to convince.

Democratic candidates should not worry what the far right thinks and says, there will always be a new "outrage" for them to rant about.

[BeyondGeography]

31. I don't blame you

and not just because I back Clark.

If Kerry once felt strong enough about Bush going AWOL to make that statement, he should stick to his position, ESPECIALLY now that he's running for President. Kerry supporters will say that's not smart politics. The rest of us say: Understand why your guy was once getting hammered by Howard Dean. Being a leader means NOT having it both ways.

And, lastly, NO veteran should help ever cover up for Bush.

[Cat Atomic]

27. These right wing guys aren't very good at playing defense.

It's been funny to watch them try lately, though.

It's like they just don't get the point. If you shout, "stop saying Bush was AWOL! It's not true!", the only thing people will remember in a month is "Bush... AWOL".

[grytpype]

30. Also on Drudge (this is so funny)

ECLAIR AND CROISSANT FOR LUNCH...



OMFG!!!!! FRENCH!!!! HE'S EATING FRENCH FOODS!!!!!

[Logansquare]

32. You're joking, right?

Probably not....I refuse to go look at Drudge. Do they know that Clark actually speaks French?

[Ivote]

33. Also on

www.factcheck.com
has all the articles that were written and what their conclusions were. Some say there is no absolute proof. But the questions are out there. Most people can and will read between the lines.
He wasnt there all the time he was out campaigning for Blount for the Senate. Cant be in two places at the same time.
When he was asked about his physical and why he never took it befor leaving the service he said his doctor wasnt available. Any one who has ever served knows that your personal physician is not the one to do it. I know all the guys must be laughing at that one.

[robbedvoter]

42. Ha!Ha! kerry was accused of looking French. Defended himself

on St Patrick's Day: "I may not be Irish, buy AT LEAST I am not French"

[SeveneightyWhoa]

37. This is really funny because last night..

..I sent him a message in his "SEND NEWS TIPS TO DRUDGE
" box, sarcastically suggesting that he do a story about Bush's AWOL status.

Obviously I didnt expect anything of the sort, and now this? WTF?>!

Also, be sure to send him a 'news tip'--I laughed my ass off at the thank you page that you get redirected to afterwards..

[Gin]

38. maybe Drudge wants the hits to his site..he won't get one from me....

it's all about money.

[robbedvoter]

41. Forget Drudge. Kerry knew of AWOL in 2000, but not anymore:

Kerry in 2000
Senator plays role of Gore loyalist, Boston Globe, November 6 2000
.
" Kerry, a decorated Navy veteran of Vietnam, said Bush
should be scrutinized because he ends every speech by raising his
hand, taking a mock oath of office, and pledging to restore honor and
integrity to the White House. ''How is it that someone who's
supposedly serving on active duty, having supposedly taken that oath,
can miss a whole year of service without explaining where it went?''
Kerry asked the crowd."
Crossfire,Jan 23, 2000:
NOVAK: Senator Kerry, at last night's debate, General Clark was asked about a statement made in his presence by Michael Moore that President Bush is a -- was a deserter.
In the absence -- and General Clark said he didn't know anything about that, but he didn't know one way or the other.
KERRY: Yes.
NOVAK: In the absence of any -- any allegations to that effect, what do you think of calling the president of the United States a deserter? Or do you have some information that that is accurate?
KERRY: No, obviously, I don't. I think it's over-the-top language, Bob. And I think that's not what my campaign is about
http://www.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0401/23/cf.00.html.
So, John, were you speaking without knowing in 2000, or you forgotten since? And is this how you intend to confront W and the Rove machine?

[Moderator]

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