1/28 Deserter Lines -- (Clark & Kerry campaigns to investigate AWOL?)

[grasswire]

DESERTER LINES

Apparently tired of being challenged on supporter Michael Moore's assertion that President Bush was a "deserter," Wesley Clark's campaign is considering hiring a private investigator to look into Bush's activities in Texas and Alabama during his National Guard service way back when.

At least one other campaign is said to be considering sending opposition researchers down south to look into Bush's record.

In the past, campaign staffers for both Clinton and Gore had tried to make hay of the rumors that Bush had somehow taken advantage of his family name during that period. Despite of months of effort, they failed to develop anything substantive.

"We have former Clinton staffers on board who say there's nothing to this," says a Kerry staffer, "but we know it's going to come up again and since nobody has a clear sense of the story right now we have to at least look into it."

http://www.spectator.org/dsp_article.asp?art_id=6076

[grasswire]

1. yes, it's a VRWC rag

....and the news may be bogus, but what does the publishing of it mean strategically?

[AnnitaR]

2. The 1st question Clark get in the SC debate

will be about this. Tom Brokaw made his feelings on the subject very clear on MTP Sunday.

Yet another debate where Clark will get no time to debate policy.

The bastards in the media all know it's true that Bush was AWOL but they just want to use it to distract from Clark's message.

The way the media is running this primary is beyond disgusting!

[Emillereid]

3. I think Clark should handle it this way.

He should say that these are very serious charges that if true speaks volumes about the character of George Bush and his moral authority to send kids off to war. Therefore he expects that the story will be thoroughly investigated by all responsible news organization so that the truth can emerge, be what it may. And till he has the facts in hand, he would not presume to form an opinion. End of matter.

[countmyvote4real]

4. That's good. Put the onus on the media.

Of course we can't trust them to follow through, but it will play well on TV the first time it occurs. Thereafter, it will be edited out.

[murielm99]

5. Put the onus on Bush

if one more talking head brings it up, say, "these are very serious charges. Ask shrub to reveal the full truth about his records once and for all. We will not be satisfied with a whitewash. Answer all questions, frivolous and otherwise."

Put them on the defensive, for a change.

[CO Liberal]

31. You Mean "Put The Onus On The Anus"???

:-)

[LiberalFighter]

32. Wasn't there something about Hughes/Rove doing a scrub of the records?

But even if the records were scrubbed there is only so much they can do. There is bound to be evidence of information being changed or defaced.

Bush should be challenged to provide the original discharged papers that he received when he was released.

In addition, research should be conducted in the places that he was believed to be. Such as campaigning for a federal election.

[joeunderdog]

37. Here's the skinny from Grag Palast:

The story was convoluted, but here's what I got about it:

Palast says he got an annonymous letter from a whistleblower saying that the true account of Shrub's preferential treatment in--or rather, out--of the military is a secret held by, strangely enough, a Texas lottery contractor. Texas Lottery firm (GTech) has a man on the payroll named Ben Barnes (a former Dem) who helped the Chimp with his Air Guard "issues" years ago. His company was the lucky benefactor of some kind of "unbid contract" for $23M from the then-Gov Bush. It was allegedly offered in exchange for seeing to it that a deposition taken in a lawsuit in 1999 containing Barne's on-the-record testimony was permanently sealed.

Palast dedicates only a couple of pages to this in his book "The Best Democracy Money Can Buy." It seems like there is more information out there on this issue.

Greg, are you listening?

[joeunderdog]

38. 1999 Washington Post article offers an incriminating explanation

AUSTIN, Texas –– The former speaker of the Texas House of Representatives acknowledged Monday that he called the head of the Texas Air National Guard in 1968 to recommend George W. Bush for a pilot slot during the Vietnam War.

But Ben Barnes, who later was lieutenant governor, said the request for his help came from a Bush family friend – not Bush or his father, who then was a congressman.

snip

According to court records, Littwin's lawyers wanted to question Barnes, who used to lobby for GTECH, about whether GTECH was allowed to keep its lucrative state contract in exchange for Barnes' silence about the Guard matter.

That theory has been dismissed as unfounded by GTECH, Barnes and Bush.

Barnes testified for several hours Monday in a deposition in the case. Afterwards, his lawyer issued a written statement saying Barnes had been contacted by the now-deceased Sidney Adger, a Houston oilman and friend of the elder Bush.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/aponline/19990927/aponline190140_000.htm

[LiberalVoice]

6. I think you have it closest to the truth...

Its a conservative media...They wont play much that could possibly play a major role in hurting * campainge...

[alfredo]

17. yeah, put it to them. Maybe a little guilt trip thrown it would

be OK too. Ask them why they have been afraid to ask bush the hard questions.

[WannaJumpMyScooter]

7. yep, perfect... turn it around on them

ask why, in 3 years of the *admin, if they were so concerned about this, did they not follow up on what they have?

Are you asking me this question just because I am a retired Army officer? I have more than one dimension to me, Mr. Brokaw, do you?

[RedEarth]

12. Excellent way to respond to the question

You should send it to clark HQ, it seems they need some help in fielding some of the tough questions.

[dbt]

8. Investigations? We don't need no stinkin' INVESTIGATIONS!

Look around the Internet for 12 minutes and 48 seconds, General and Senator.

Start with users.cis.net/coldfeet. Then have a look at www.awolbush.com.

Sheeeze!
:eyes:
dbt

[TomNickell]

9. Yes, but it's good strategy to -ask- for investigations.

Pretend ignorance and open-mindedness. "These are serious, but unproved charges. In fairness to Mr. Bush, this matter should be investigated and put to rest once and for all. And Mr. Bush should have the opportunity to explain himself (on national television in prime time).

There -are- some open questions. Exactly why did he miss that medical exam? Was he drunk on his butt? Doing drugs? That missing year probably involved some very embarrassing activities.

[0007]

11. It appears they got everything they need for junior

to come forward and explain all these lies and liars.

This is common knowledge at "freerepublic.com"

[DS1]

10. just keep talking!

[kentuck]

13. Why should candidates have to investigate ???

Isn't that the job of the press??

[Skittles]

29. yeah but, we know the corporate press won't get off its knees long enough

to do a g.d. thing

[bushisanidiot]

14. Damned Good! Keep The Deserter Story In The News!

I hope they keep talking about it all through the primaries and well into the summer. Let the words "deserter" and "bush" be synonymous in voters minds.

[davsand]

15. Make Bush deny it!

Make him stand up and deny that he was missing from his guard duty... Seems to me we would do well to take a lesson from LBJ about this one.

Laura

[Donna Zen]

16. 3 points

Yes, this is the rightwing media that is trying to paint Clark as "nutty." I rather doubt that the Clark campaign is planning to investigate anything. Kerry plays it safe at all times, so I'm sure he won't do anything.

The poster above that recognizes that the media needs to be challenged about their own AWOL performance, has the correct answer. Also, I would add that if the media is so damn worried about MM, then they should ask MM what he means. How eager for answers is a press that won't even pick up the phone and make the first call.

Warning: if they continue to lambast Clark with this issue with this much success, it is going to disappear from the radar forever.

[peterh]

18. Keep it in the news…..

Was he or wasn’t he???? The twit will never address the allegations and the relevant paper trail is under lock and key along with the relevant papers of two other felons…Raygun & Twit 1. I do feel the candidates should be careful with their words on this, but someone like McGovern can just let it fly. Kinda like Cheney being on the offensive of late….I don’t think he has anything to lose…

Enlist those that are insulated and with name power….and let it fly….

[TacticalPeek]

20. Who will defend the integrity and character of Shrub's service? Shelton?

"Maybe there's a kinder word than deserter, but in my book that's not too far from the truth. And I think General Clark is a man who never
backed away from battle, who volunteered to be a part of the armed forces of this country, as I did. People like that are not going to defend
George W. Bush on his military record."

George McGovern on CNBC last night.


:evilgrin:

[buycitgo]

23. DAMN!!!!!! I had that on and MISSED it!

too busy reading stuff here.

hope some dems keep that clip for use in the campaign

could come in handy

[grasswire]

19. morning thoughts

Skepticism about the story.

Why would Scaife raise the issue? I'm fairly sure that Scaife's own men have investigated the matter.

[Ganja Ninja]

21. Peter Jennings asked Clark to substantiate Moore's charge...

in the New Hampshire debate. Clark declined by saying it was Moore's right to make the accusation and that he (Clark) didn't have any first hand knowledge of Bush's status.
Media Whores Online had an E-mail campaign going to ask Jennings why he and the rest of the media don't research the charge and settle the question. Seems reasonable given the circumstances. I advise not holding your breath waiting for the media to expose chimp. Still as I posted in another thread yesterday the best people to go after Bush on this charge are Clark and Kerry.

[peacetalksforall]

22. Records destroyed? What is needed...

If records were destroyed and destroying records is against federal, state, or military laws or rules, then the two close TX staff members of Bush, Allbaugh and Bartlett, should be called, plus the ANG and any state employees to whom A & B spoke to should be questioned.

Until you catch the people who 'ordered' the destruction/washing of records and the people who followed through with the 'orders', those around Bush will just lie, then lie, then lie, then ignore.

Go after real people, not a puppet.

[DoYouEverWonder]

25. Lt. Col. Bill Burkett has written

about the circumstances surrounding Bu$h's military records. Does anyone else know about Burkett? He seems pretty credible?



http://www.veteransforpeace.org/what_do_you_say_032203.htm

What do you say?

By Lt. Col. Bill Burkett

[Oilwellian]

30. I find Burkett...

to be an extremely credible witness of Bush's military records being scrubbed. Instead of asking Bush to release those records, he should be asked to release records of the pay he received during the year in question. I'm sure the Air National Guard keeps a record of that sort of thing and surely he'd claim what pay he received when filing taxes.

Why hasn't Bush defended his record in the military? Obviously, Bush likes using his military record when it's politically expedient, but sure is weak about defending it when such serious charges are being made. Isn't it odd for a proud military veteran to do that?

[LiberalFighter]

33. That would be an angle to pursue.

Determine who destroyed the records if they were.
Determine who altered the records if they were.
Determine who all had access to the records.

How long would fingerprints be viable and would they be suitable for pointing the finger?

If the records were destroyed or altered that would and should be serious enough to cast doubt on bush's claims.

If the culprits can be determined that destroyed or altered the records then investigate them to create leverage against them. Investigate for other criminal charges so that they cough up the truth.

[justsam]

24. I think the commander

is dead now and most of the records are missing or have been doctored

[LiberalFighter]

34. The way to discover the truth is to compile every piece of document

and then tie everything together and see where the loose strings remain.

[peacetalksforall]

39. But...Allbaugh and Bartlett are not missing...

you have real people 'arranging' changes or the disappearances - they only have to be asked. And whoever reported to the people Allbaugh and Bartlett spoke with can be asked. The last person to ask is the enthroned one, the barn door closer after the horse left - guy. And don't ask Cheney or Rove or Novak. Ask Karen or Don in addition to Allbaugh and Bartlett. And ask his Poppy and Babs. Ask Jeb or Laura. Ask the Federalist Society and all the other societies who put the marionette there and had to take care of a few things first - such as the insinuation that they had to find and take care of the photos of 'him' dancing nude on a table in boots in addition to the TANG records and test results.

[Room101]

26. Paging "Greg Palast"

nt

[Skittles]

27. WELL IT'S ABOUT F***ING TIME

SHOULD THIS BE AN ISSUE ??? HELL YES IT SHOULD BE AN ISSUE.

[PaDUer]

36. just think...

from plane accidents, suicides, bus accidents...better watch their backs.

[DoYouEverWonder]

28. The simplest solution to this issue

is for the press and the public to demand that Bu$h release his military records. Nothing less will do.

This is not a question that the press should be demanding Clark or any other candidate to answer. The candidates can't account for what Bu$h did with his life. Only BU$H can tell us the truth about what he did for at least one year, when he was supposed to be serving his country? ASK Bu$h, don't ask us.

[TacticalPeek]

35. "ASK Bu$h, don't ask us."

Two problems.

(1) The press has made a formal and binding agreement that the first forty years of aWol's life are off-limits and will not be covered.

(2) Shrub cannot remember anything before 1986.


:shrug: