Bush aides look to put Dems on defensive

[Fleshdancer]

http://www.cnn.com/2003/ALLPOLITICS/12/31/elec04.prez.bush.elections.ap/

Aides say several factors are at work in their effort to keep Bush out of the political mud.

• They fear that putting Bush overtly in a campaign mode would turn off voters, most of whom will not think seriously about the election for months.

• They are waiting for Democrats to settle on a nominee before wading in.

• Most of all, Bush's camp is delighted to let the Democrats hammer each other on the campaign trail. In particular, candidates Wesley Clark and Sens. John Kerry, John Edwards and Joe Lieberman are attacking with increasing ferocity former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean -- the man many Bush political aides expect to face in the general election next year.

[MoonAndSun]

1. Bill Clinton was hammered in the '92 campaign and the media

always tore him a new one, and he managed to win the election. I am not worried about the candidates fighting amongst each other, that which does not kill you will make you stronger.

[adadem]

5. You're right on the money! n/t

[Capn Sunshine]

2. Don't forget Muskie

clear frontrunner , polling ahead of Nixon

mercilessly attacked by an organization heade by many who work for the current administration. Knocked out of the race by counterfeit letters which enraged the dems.

I expect you'll se a LOT of crap attributed to Dr. Dean particularly attacking Clark in the near future.

be on guard, you know it's coming

[maddezmom]

3. Edwards on the attack?

of who? The only person he's been going after is bush* and rightfully so.

[Tom Rinaldo]

4. Correct. As for Clark, nothing more than minor quibbles n/t

[sandnsea]

8. They're doing Dean's bidding

Isn't it delightful?

[Raya]

6. Let's be clear. Repubs WANT to Face DEAN. Not just EXPECT to.

[papau]

7. CNN kepts a straight face as Bush spends $15 m in Q4 of 03 not campaining

"They fear that putting Bush overtly in a campaign mode would turn off voters, most of whom will not think seriously about the election for months."

If Bush files and reports a lot of campaign expenses, does that not imply he was campaigning? Does the US media just repeat what Rove tells them without thinking?

Sorry - that was a silly question.

Our US media is not right wing GOP controlled - they just act like they are.