WP: debate transcripts INCLUDING "bush* is a deserter" inquiry

[diamond14]

General Clark, a lot of people say they don't you well, so this is really a simple question about knowing a man by his friends. The other day you had a rally here, and one of the men who stood up to endorse you is the controversial filmmaker Michael Moore. You said you were delighted with him.

At one point, Mr. Moore said, in front of you, that President Bush --he's saying he'd like to see you, the general, and President Bush, who he called a "deserter."

Now, that's a reckless charge not supported by the facts. And I was curious to know why you didn't contradict him, and whether or not you think it would've been a better example of ethical behavior to have done so.

CLARK: Well, I think Michael Moore has the right to say whatever he feels about this.

CLARK: I don't know whether this is supported by the facts or not. I've never looked at it. I've seen this charge bandied about a lot.

But to me it wasn't material. This election is going to be about the future, Peter. And what we have to do is pull this country together. And I am delighted to have the support of a man like Michael Moore, of a great American leader like Senator George McGovern, and of people from Texas like Charlie Stenholm and former Secretary of the Navy John Dalton.

We've got support from across the breadth of the Democratic Party, because I believe this party is united in wanting to change the leadership in Washington. We're going to run an election campaign that's about the future. We're going to hold the president accountable for what he did in office and failed to do, and we're going to compare who's got the best vision for America.

JENNINGS: Let me ask you something you mentioned, then, because since this question and answer in which you and Mr. Moore was involved in, you've had a chance to look at the facts.

Do you still feel comfortable with the fact that someone should be standing up in your presence and calling the president of the United States a deserter?

CLARK: To be honest with you, I did not look at the facts, Peter. You know, that's Michael Moore's opinion. He's entitled to say that. I've seen -- he's not the only person who's said that. I've not followed up on those facts. And frankly, it's not relevant to me and why I'm in this campaign.

JENNINGS: OK, thank you, sir.


http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A39875-2004Jan22_3.html

[Old and In the Way]

1. a great line for Jennings question-

"Do you still feel comfortable with the fact that someone should be standing up in your presence and calling the president of the United States a deserter? "

Hey, if the boot fits, wear it.

[soup]

2. slightly off?

sleep deprivation speaking here? or a little of both -

"Do you still feel comfortable with the fact that someone should be standing up in your presence and calling the president of the United States a deserter? "

not could or would, but should.

:shrug:

[Cat Atomic]

3. Amazing that a journalist would ask such a question.

The question of whether or not Moore's statement is actually *true* seems completely inconsequential. It's only a matter of manners, or propriety. It's Amazing.

Clark should've said as much. He should've asked whether these men consider themselves journalists or etiquette teachers. Their job isn't to decide which questions cannot be asked, but rather to ferret out the facts.

He should've asked them if the charges are true. Since they apparently consider it improper to say Bush was AWOL, surely they can prove the charge to be baseless. :eyes:

[ElsewheresDaughter]

4. Jennings did us a great service by bringing the "desserter" issue up

put it out there all across America....now all the repukes and swing voters have heard it!!!!....I LOVE IT...WONDERFUL!!!

[muriel_volestrangler]

5. But he also dismisses it at once

"Now, that's a reckless charge not supported by the facts."

So his question came across as "Moor is a liar. Why do you let him lie when supporting you?"

Not a good way of attacking Bush, in my opinion.

[Eric J in MN]

6. I think Clark gave a good answer and I'm glad Jennings brought it up.

I think Clark gave a good answer and I'm glad Jennings brought it up.

Maybe Jennings thought he was undermining Clark, but I think in the long run this question may undermine George W.

[Moderator]

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