Swift Boat ads roiling campaign waters (Bush benefits)

[enough]

This is the top frontpage story in the Philadelphia Inquirer today

http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/9471294.htm?template=contentModules/printstory.jsp

Posted on Mon, Aug. 23, 2004

America Votes | Swift Boat ads roiling campaign waters
By Dick Polman
Inquirer Staff Writer

Considering the fact that George W. Bush never got closer to Vietnam than the Air National Guard, it is a testament to the shrewdness of his allies that they have managed to turn this presidential campaign into a referendum on the guy who actually went to war.

It probably doesn't matter that John Kerry's antagonists in the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth are demonstrably fact-challenged; as evidenced on the TV talk shows yesterday, they lack documentary proof for their most serious assertions, and, in many cases, their current ire toward Kerry has been undercut by their past praise.

What does matter is that they are generating buzz. What matters is that even though voters routinely condemn negative attacks, they remember the attacks. What matters is that the anti-Kerry vets are using the fog of war to sow doubts about Kerry's credibility and commander-in-chief credentials, seeking to sway the relatively few voters in swing states who have yet to make up their minds.

And every day this controversy dominates the news, Bush benefits. Thanks to the war in Iraq, he is no longer automatically perceived - outside his own devoted constituency - as a credible commander-in-chief, which is why it potentially helps his cause if supporters (with money and advice from top Texas Republicans) can paint the challenger as a risky replacement who is unfit for command.

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[MichiganVote]

1. Not on my street, largely republican neighborhood

People here see through the "Not me" stance of the Bushco. and are mad as hell he is not doing more to help the troops in Iraq and po'd' also about the economy/lack of jobs/deficit, deficit, deficit!!!

[Trajan]

2. Where criticism by the Swift Boat Liars may appear to damage us ...

It also provides a GRAND opportunity for us ....

Not only will Kerry be able to respond tit for tat against the assertions by the liars, but the controversy also can bring into sharp focus the actions of the president and vice president in that same conflict ....

Kerry's wounds were minimal ??? ... George's wounds were not existent: he didnt even show for his duty ...

Kerry heroic actions were exaggerated ? ... Dick Cheney had other priorities, that apparently did NOT include placing HIS life in danger for his country ....

The Chickenhawk brigades of the GOP have placed their OWN ARSES on the firing line now: ... "What did YOU do during the war?" now becomes a valid question for ALL involved .... not just Kerry ....

What did George do when Kerry was getting 'minor wounds' ? ...

Where was Dick Cheney when Kerry was fishing Rassman out of the swamp in what the SBL's describe as a tranquil, peaceful battlefield ??? ...

These are valid questions now ....

They need to be asked ..... and now ...

[BushCheatey]

3. Rate this article

This is from Business Week it is a good article on the not so swift boat vets, but the freepers are keeping the score low so Yahoo doesn't show it in the main headlines
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/bw/20040823/bs_bw/nf200408236115db045&e=4

[SnohoDem]

5. Done.

And welcome to DU.

:hi:

[OneBlueSky]

4. the crux of the matter . . .

"every day this controversy dominates the news, Bush benefits" . . .

this is so true . . . and it's why Kerry has to take the initiative and start controlling the agenda of this campaign . . .