Did the WH document dump end the AWOL issue?

[dennis4868]

It seems to me that ever since the WH dumped hundreds of pages of documents related to Bush's military record (or non-record) that the media has all but put aside the AWOL issue even though none of the documents prove that Bush served time in the Alabama National Gaurd. There is still a 6 month gap of time in 1973 that has been unaccounted for by the WH. But yet the media that was so aggressive about this issue a week ago is now quiet on the AWOL issue? Why is that? Is it because the WH muddied the waters with all those documents late last Friday? Why was that 6 month gap an issue last week but is no longer an issue now?

[jfxgillis]

1. Yeah. But don't worry about it

The issue wound up inflicting very close to maximum damage thanks to Bush's consistently wrong-footed response.

Continuing the issue would have created far more risk of backlash than it would have inflicted further damage on Bush's image.

[Roon]

5. I agree

It is now time to let AWOL go. The voters received the message

[ewagner]

2. Bad news/Good news

The bad news is that the mainstream press has dumped the story because it seems that it can't be resolved. Further, they don't see an outcome to the story (e.g. If proven he was AWOL they still can't impeach him)

The good news is that his military record or lack thereof, is now well accepted in the lexicon of late night comics and pretty well accepted by the public at large. IOW it has mutated from a news story to a truism. Therefore, when it is repeated in the coming GE campaign, it will be accepted as a fact by Dems and the Repubs will be left to defend it with weak and contradictory arguments which is always a losing proposition.

[dennis4868]

7. Do you think that....

the general perception out there is that Bush went AWOL? It seems to me that more and more media people are saying, "he did his time, he got a honorable discharge for crying out loud, leave him alone." I get the feeling that not only has the AWOL issue come to an end but that the general feeling in this country for the most part is that because Bush came clean with the document dump (even though many documents are still missing) he must have served his time. Just my opinion.....hope I am wrong.

[dennis4868]

9. here's my point about perception

GALLUP NEWS SERVICE

(snip)

The poll, conducted Feb. 16-17, shows the public is not largely tuned in to the debate over Bush's National Guard service. Slightly more than half of Americans say they have heard or read a great deal (23%) or a moderate amount (34%) about the controversy, leaving 43% who have not heard much (29%) or anything at all (14%) about it.

When asked for their views on Bush's actions in the matter, Americans tend to give Bush the benefit of the doubt. About half of Americans, 49%, say he did not do anything seriously wrong. Thirty-one percent say he did something unethical, but not illegal, and only 4% say he did something illegal. A majority, 54%, disagrees with the notion that Bush is hiding something regarding his National Guard service, while 36% believe that there is more to the story than Bush has revealed.

Among those who have heard or read a great deal about Bush's National Guard service, 56% say he did nothing seriously wrong, 33% say he did something unethical, and 8% say he did something illegal.

Still, there are lingering doubts about Bush's military service more generally. The public is divided as to whether the characteristic or quality, "did his duty for the country during the Vietnam War," applies to Bush: 42% say the statement applies to Bush and 40% say the statement does not apply to him (18% have no opinion). In contrast, 68% say that characteristic or quality applies to Kerry, with 11% saying it does not and 21% not expressing an opinion.

more…
http://www.gallup.com/content/?ci=10690

[jfxgillis]

11. BINGO

"Still, there are lingering doubts about Bush's military service more generally. The public is divided as to whether the characteristic or quality, "did his duty for the country during the Vietnam War," applies to Bush: 42% say the statement applies to Bush and 40% say the statement does not apply to him (18% have no opinion). In contrast, 68% say that characteristic or quality applies to Kerry, with 11% saying it does not and 21% not expressing an opinion."

That's all our side needed, and frankly, more than we should've expected.

[loudnclear]

3. Not really. It ended because the media stopped headlining the story.

However, more people know and understand that Bush evaded serving by enlisting in the NG...period! It's not a smear on the NG now but most people know that during the Viet Nam war the NG was the place to be and mostly the sons of white, wealthy, and priviliged were signed up there.

[Junkdrawer]

4. Why, it's almost like the media is complicit in the charade, huh?

:evilgrin:

[mhr]

6. Dead And Done, Karl Rove Has Bribed The Media With Threats and Reprisals

eom

[Screaming Lord Byron]

8. No story can run at that level indefinitely. It made its point.

Eventually people would've gotten pissed off with us for pushing the story too hard. We got some mileage out of it, and it remains available for later play.

[0007]

10. Public Opinion has found junior guilty and most documents

doctored.

What the White House hasn't covered is the community service that junior allegedly served in 1972 and where did he serve it, was it at "The Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center in Houston's Third Ward, or was it Project P.U.L.L.?" And why was junior doing community service?

Also his girlfriend's abortion in the early 70's...