Reply #25: The Trap Kerry Set [View All]

[earthside]

I have not been one to necessarily believe that the Kerry campaign was "slow" in their response to the Swift Boat Liars for Bush controversy.

Bush was given plenty of opportunites to denounce and repudiate those specific ads - he never would do it. And I think the Kerry people knew that he wouldn't.

If there are now emerging more substantial charges of criminal misconduct and illegal behavior by Bush (taking cocaine was against the law even back then), contemporaneous with Kerry's Vietnam activiites, then voters will expect Bush to respond. Even the corporate press, now that the Swift Boat precedent has been set, is going to have to ask Bush some hard questions.

Kerry has a documented paper trail to back up his Vietnam biography; Bush has a missing records trail ... it begs all kinds of questions. Unlike four years ago, I think Democrats, liberals, and genuine patriots need to keep on the pressure for Bush to explain his past. His lame "When I was young and reckless, I was young and reckless" is not sufficient when he is making decisions that get 1000 troops killed and ten thousand wounded.

Kerry, in my opinion, has set a trap for Bush. He can point to documents to combat the Bush smears against him ... Bush is going to simply have to answer questions that he cannot answer. Bush wants the campaign to be about his personal leadership - when that is called into question and doubted - the Bush image collapses.

And Bush has little room to complain now ... he benignly sanctioned the Swift Boat smears - it is his turn.

I think the American people are going to be surprised at how poorly Bush will respond if pressed on these personal history issues. He is thin skinned and petulent, not used to being questioned ... Let's hope that the end of the Bush campaign of lies is soon to end.