Bush Denounces Ads by Outside Groups
By PETE YOST, Associated Press Writer
CRAWFORD, Texas - President Bush (news - web sites) denounced campaign commercials aired by outside groups on Monday, including an ad that accuses John Kerry (news - web sites) of lying about his combat record in Vietnam.
"That ad and every other ad" run by such groups have no place in the campaign, Bush said when asked about the commercial sponsored by Swift Boat Veterans For Truth that has roiled the race for the White House.
Asked directly whether his Democratic rival for the presidency had lied, Bush said, "I think Senator Kerry served admirably and he ought to be proud of his record."
The president made his comments as the Kerry campaign fought back against charges made by the outside group about the senator's wartime service in Vietnam for which he received five medals.
In a conference call with reporters arranged by aides to the Democratic presidential candidate, Navy swift boat officers Rich McCann, Jim Russell and Rich Baker said Kerry acted honorably and bravely and was well qualified to be the nation's commander in chief.
"He was the most aggressive officer in charge of swift boats," Baker said.
Additionally, crewmate Del Sandusky said at a news conference in Harrisburg, Pa., that he personally witnessed the battle action for which Kerry received Silver and Bronze stars and two of his three Purple Hearts.
"He deserved every one of his medals," said Sandusky, a retired computer repairman who drove Kerry's Navy swift boat boat for nearly three months.
In Texas, Bush said, "I don't think we ought to have 527s," a reference to the outside groups that have poured millions of dollars over the past year into attack ads. Bush himself has been a main target of ads costing some $60 million. Bush said all of the ads should be stopped.
"That means that ad," he said, referring to the anti-Kerry ad, "and every other ad."
The anti-Kerry ad, no longer running but much publicized in news accounts, says Kerry didn't deserve his Purple Hearts, lied to get his Bronze Star and Silver Star and unfairly branded all veterans with his 1971 congressional testimony about atrocities in Vietnam.
"I couldn't be more plain about it," Bush said "I hope my opponent joins me in condemning these activities of the 527s."
With polls suggesting Kerry's standing was beginning to slip — at least among veterans — the Democrat last week called on Bush to call for the attack ads to be pulled from the air. He also accused Bush of allowing front groups to "do his dirty work."
Bush's campaign heatedly denied any connection with the anti-Kerry group, and called on the Democratic challenger to join the president in a call for all outside groups to pull their ads.
Underscoring the impact of the anti-Kerry ad, the Democratic National Committee (news - web sites) began airing a commercial last week that offered a testimonial to Kerry's fitness for national command.
And in a shift in strategy, Kerry's campaign has responded with two commercials, despite plans to preserve its campaign funds for the general election campaign.
Kerry running mate John Edwards (news - web sites) said Sunday that Bush needed to tell the veterans group to pull its anti-Kerry ads. Republican Sen. John McCain (news, bio, voting record) of Arizona has said the tactics are the same kind used on him and asked the president to denounce them.
A new Kerry ad says Bush smeared McCain four years ago and "now, he's doing it to John Kerry."
A former Vietnam prisoner of war, McCain lost the South Carolina Republican primary in 2000 after Bush supporters accused him of opposing legislation to help military veterans. McCain never recovered from that primary loss.
Former Sen. Bob Dole, a World War II veteran and 1996 Republican presidential nominee, suggested Kerry apologize for his 1971 testimony to Congress about atrocities U.S. soldiers allegedly committed in Vietnam.
Dole, who has a disabled right arm from war wounds, said Kerry received an early exit from combat for "superficial wounds." He called on the nominee to release all of his Vietnam service records.
Dole told CNN's "Late Edition" in relation to Kerry: "I respect his record. But three Purple Hearts and never bled that I know of. I mean, they're all superficial wounds. Three Purple Hearts and you're out."
Crewmate Sandusky said Monday, "I was there when he got wounded. I saw the blood. I don't care what Dole said."
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