What should Clark say to Russert about AWOL Bush tomorrow?

[Quixote1818]

Should he play it safe like Kerry or Nail the bastard?

[madmax]

1. Direct Timmy to Michael Moore's website?

:shrug:

[Namvet04]

2. He needs to stop talking about a war 40 years ago

He is sinking fast and whatever way he answers will not help him. I would tell him to not answer or do like Kerry did.

Tell Tim the war has been over for 40 years let us talk about the needs of americans today. That might help him at least beat Joe in NH.

[Quixote1818]

12. In the polls that came out today Clark has leveled off

[Name removed]

39. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[SW FL Dem]

44. Thanks

I felt I was the only one to see that. I'm a lurker who has
been on DU for months and have racked up only 50+ posts.

[kerry-is-my-prez]

45. Have you even looked at the tracking polls? There is no way that

Clark is not coming in second or third.

[kentuck]

3. I hope he doesn't waffle on it....

It's important because somebody has to call them on his lies and coverups...Because he's gonna dress up like an heroic military leader and he should be called on it...just on general principle.

[Quixote1818]

5. Oh, Clark will be ready with the perfect answer, you can bet on it!

His guys are drafting this one out right now.

[TruthIsAll]

53. Clark should say...

Tim, I don't know if Bush was AWOL, as many have stated, because he has never released his military records, and I have not pursued an independent investigation.

It's really the job of an independent press to do that. I'll leave it up to journalists like yourself to get all the facts regarding his whereabouts during 1972-1973..

In any case, we WILL make him answer for all the policy disasters we have data for: the economy, jobs, health care, 9/11, Iraq and cronyism.

[ConsAreLiars]

54. Right On!

As for the last sentence, I would rephrase to:
In any case, we know for certain what he has done to the economy, jobs, and health care, and he must answer for the failure of leadership that left the door open to 9/11. Rather than defending the people of the US, he spent his time planning to invade Iraq and plundering the nation's treasury and treasures in order to pay off his backers, even when this meant tearing up the Bill of Rights and burdening our children with a debt that will last decades unless he is defeated.

[0007]

20. It is very important not to waffle, I agree.

Not unless Clark has poserful information that can be checked.

[Uroboros]

4. Nail him!

I mean, it is the truth. Perhaps he should answer the obvious question with something to the effect that he wouldn't necessarily use the word deserter; but the fact is that Bush was AWOL. This has been investigated before; point to those sources. And if Russert insists that the accusations are unfounded; Clark should respond that Russert is a reporter and that he should do his job. In other words; find out the facts you Bush lap dog.

Well maybe he could leave out the lap dog part. :)

[Namvet04]

7. It is a story like clinton killed all these people, it is nonsense

Your not going to win votes. Look at what has happen to clark in the polls since that question. Down. Kerry answer the right way and he is up, up, up.

Why not forget a war 40 years ago. Most of us are interested in today.

[NNN0LHI]

16. Why not forget a war 40 years ago you ask?

Because those who forget the past are doomed to repeat it. Witness Iraq for a reference.

Don

[Uroboros]

17. Oh please...

It's NOTHING like the Clinton killed people story. Are you saying Bush didn't go AWOL? Wasn't missing for 12 months? The question wasn't about whether Clark should make it an issue; but rather how he should respond to the question is asked.

Well if the AWOL accusation has been looked into and has been found truthful; then that's the way he should respond. And if Russert insist on denying the claim; then he shouldn't be allowed to do that.

Bad enough that we let them get away with spreading all this nonsense about Clinton that wasn't true; we shouldn't let them get away with covering the truth (and his lies) when it comes to Bush.

My 2 cents

[blm]

6. He was noncommittal during the debate, and I think he played it right.

That's something that, until you have the documents in your hand, the candidate can't wield that charge. It should be left to the campaign surrogates, like the way Max Cleland does for Kerry on the campaign trail.

Or he should suggest that he doesn't know for sure, but maybe the press can try and find that out.

[Quixote1818]

8. I am not sure I think Clark needs a home run right before the election

[Loren645]

10. Continue to act presidential and let Moore pound on that stuff

He's playing it right.

[krkaufman]

41. Continue to act presidential.... He's playing it right.

Hear, hear!

[HereSince1628]

9. "Let the record speak for itself" in my opinion

That implies there is a record and that it has a story to tell, but it isn't a judgment. So Clark isn't going to get nailed for saying anything.

I'm not a Clark supporter, but I think he is playing this one fine do far.

[in_cog_ni_to]

11. Take copies of

The Boston Globe, Washington Post, ect.... Tell Russert to have a read. All the investigation has been done. All he has to do is read it. I would bet every one of those pundits who are screaming about Clark, have read those articles. They know the truth. They are working for KKKRove. :grr:

[Quixote1818]

14. Bingo! I like the idea of visuals!

I like your answer so far the best.

[newscaster]

13. Clark should reject the idea of Bush being a "deserter"

Bush did go AWOL for a year. Desertion is usually charged against anyone who runs from an actual battlefield. There was a war on when BUSH was in the TANG (Tex. Air National Guard) and missed a whole year of meetings but he did not run....he simply sauntered away like any rich snotty kid would do. Hang Bush with AWOL. You'll strike out with "Desertion". Remember, he was in a unit that was NOT slated to go to Nam. He was never in danger but he took off any way.

[Quixote1818]

15. What if Russert says those articles have shown to be wrong?

Then Clark is left looking like a fool?

[mikehiggins]

48. Clark should ask Russert.

If Russert asks about the story, Clark should ask him what he knows about it. He should point out that he is not a reporter, and that he isn't looking to dig up stuff on the other candidates, but if it is a story that was first talked about in 2000, then Russert should have some knowledge of whether it is true or not.

What about it, Tim-dog? You've had four years to look into it. What're the facts Mr. Newsman?

Wouldn't you just love to see that one?

[NNN0LHI]

18. He should do what Truman did. Tell the truth

The Truth. I never give them hell; I just tell them the truth and they
think it is hell.--Harry S. Truman.

[spooky3]

19. "Here is MY view about GWB's service record..."

"...now I would like to talk with you about (pick favorite theme to emphasize)."

If he's asked about what Michael Moore said, "you'll have to ask MM that question."

If the journalist persists, "I have answered that question."

[pinkpops]

21. he should repeat

that GWB's service record is not the issue for him. He should say as far as the charges are concerned, GWB could simply release his service record (as has Clark and Kerry) to answer any questions Mr Moore may have.

[isbister]

22. You're one of the best investigative journalists in the country Tim

So I'll let you do your job and we'll see if you can locate bush's unaccounted for time in the service.

While you do that I'm going to run to be the Democratic Nominee and if I am lucky enough to be chosen, bush will have a lot more to answer for than his military record.

[spooky3]

23. Perfect!

[isbister]

25. Let's cross our fingers

and hope he sticks it right back to 'em.

[pinkpops]

26. i like that one

what would really be nice is if Kerry would say that too.

[Tatiana]

27. Perfect response.

Though I think Clark should emphasize the fact that Bush is missing records and the missing information may suggest that Bush went Absent Without Leave.

[arewethereyet]

24. disavow Moore and steer a wide berth around this

its a landmine and he's not quick enough on his feet to keep it from blowing his leg off. He's already lost one leg to it.

[krkaufman]

40. Disavow Moore? Wrong approach

Clark should not, and I hope will not, disavow Moore. He would look come across as weak and one who doesn't support his allies, if he did.

[mikehiggins]

49. Disavow the truth? Oh, politics as usual, right?

Yeah, that'll work.

[bain_sidhe]

28. Pretty much as he has been

Say he defends Moore's right to state his opinion, but he hasn't delved into it, because it's not relevant to why he's running for President. It's the last three years that are relevant... and then go right into hitting the chimp on what he's doing NOW.

See, the thing is, the whole AWOL charge is a he said/he said. Gen. Turnipseed says he never saw Bush. Bush and a couple of Republicans say he was there. Mysteriously, the sign-in records are missing.

At most, Clark could note that there's no way to "check the facts" because the records aren't there. And that he hasn't bothered to look into the matter because it's not relevant... (see above)

[MrBenchley]

29. He should say,

"Tim, I really don't think it's an important issue as to whether this unelected drunk went AWOL, or deserted during wartime, or was grounded for drug abuse, or whatever. That's all in the past, along with the Harken swindle and the many arrests for DUI and disorderly conduct and the like. I think we need to take the high road and focus on issues of today...like the thousands killed and maimed by his lies, or the crooked deals for Halliburton. Let others fret about the ties to the Bin Laden family. I 'd rather remain positive, Tim, and talk about the need for full cooperation from the White House with the 9/11 commission....which so far has been unforthcoming. Why is that, do you think, Tim?"

[Skittles]

30. HERE IS WHAT HE SHOULD SAY

TIM, you are a journalist. Why are you asking ME for the facts? IF YOU DID YOUR JOB YOU WOULD *KNOW* THE FACTS.

[arewethereyet]

33. I think you're missig the point

its about the company you keep

[funkyflathead]

31. Play it safe

It's working for Kerry.

[creativelcro]

32. I CANNOT believe Clark has not looked into GWB's record on this..

Especially given his military background...

[mikehiggins]

50. Why would he?

Do you figure he needs MORE ammo to go after Bush with?

A phony economy, a killer deficit, a war of attrition in which our guys are the ones getting attrited? Do you really think we have to go back to Viet Nam to have something to bash Bush with?

[elfin]

34. He should say he can't comment because he hasn't

seen W's full military records (nor has anyone else), but that his own are fully open.

[NNN0LHI]

51. You may be on to something there? That may be the correct answer? n/t

[Printer70]

35. Clark would make a mistake by playing the AWOL card

Peter Jennings and the mainstream media call it non-credible. It would be pushing water up stream and make Clark look like an extremist and conspiracist. Instead, do a campaign on the media through education before you spring it on them on a Sunday morning show.

[MIMStigator]

36. he did his part to get it out maybe he should back off now?

Not back off but say why don't you ask Mike Moore or look into * service yourself?

[emulatorloo]

37. The media wants the headline to be "candidate X says Bush Deserted"

not "Bush Deserted." They are trying to set up a kill the messenger situation where everyone is up in arms about what the candidate said, not what Bush did. If you think the outrage over "negative campaigning" is bad on DU. you aint seen nothing if one of the candidates is tricked into making a issue of this right now.


So Clark and Kerry are right to tread lightly on this IMHO. They need to get others to deal with it, be ready with hard and fast evidence if Bush goes negative on their war records, and right now focus on Bush's abyssmal record as president.

[isbister]

38. Is this something the Dems should hammer away at now

whomever the nominee is or should deflect it and wait?

It doesn't make too much sense bringing all of that stuff up now... during the Dem vs. Dem process.

I think it'd have more impact in September... maybe one of the many things that can be rolled out to help squelch the bounce after the republican convention.

[NNN0LHI]

42. I think just the threat of using it screws up the Bush campaign

If Bush begins using his bogus military creds to pull votes the hammer will fall and he knows it. This issue may never become big news if Bush does not push it, but the damage is done anyway. Bush's plan to politicize his time in the guard is now neutered for all intensive purposes. That is all that counts here.

Don

[Bolo Boffin]

43. "Mr. Russert, my campaign is a free speech zone."

That's what I want to hear tomorrow.

"If Bush doesn't like it, he should open his military records and erase all doubt."

[SW FL Dem]

46. I have a low post count,

so take what I say for what it is worth. I just find it
suspicious that there are so many other posters with low post counts attacking Clark on the issue of Bush being AWOL.

[k_blagburn]

47. Bush Was Deserter

AWOL is not showing for duty. Desertion is AWOL more than 30 days. Peace time or war. Bush was AWOL for at least a year if not more.

ALl the General has to say is...Tim if you really want to know the answer to that question, you should ask bush to release ALL his military records like john McCain, John Kerry, and I have, then we will all know what happened.

[xrepub]

52. define desertion

My understanding is the same, that awol for more than 30 days = desertion. Can anyone supply us with this info?

[TorchTheWitch]

55. this is mighty interesting...

http://cp.yahoo.net/search/cache?p=UCMJ+definitions+deserter&ei=UTF-8&cop=mss&url=djAYMgiKGjUJ:www.jagcnet.army.mil/JAGCNETInternet/Homepages/AC/TJAGSAWeb.nsf/0/90a4f07122d5fea485256cb800496262/$FILE/Tab%2520K.pdf

G. AWOL. Plea to unauthorized absence terminated by
apprehension was provident. The accused reported for
several months to a local recruiting office and advised
personnel there of his absentee status so he would not
be considered a deserter. However, he demonstrated his
unwillingness to submit voluntarily to military control
by not complying with direction that he turn himself in
at the Master-at-Arms Office at the naval air station.
~ United States v. Bush, 57 M.J. 603 (N-M. Ct. Crim. App. 2002).

[incapsulated]

56. He can't let this issue be hung around his neck right now

He should continue to be non-commital and let Moore speak to the issue. He has been hammered in the media the past 48 hours, and doesn't need this to be swirling around his head going into the NH vote and Feb. 3. There is plenty of time to address this more directly without allowing the media to sucker you into saying something they fully intend to kill you for.