Cleland at Reno rally says Kerry trumps Bush on military issues

[JI7]

<On the eve of the Sept. 11 anniversary, Cleland told a partisan crowd that Bush has "not been a first responder. He's been a failed responder" from his Vietnam-era, stateside military service to his current domestic and foreign policies as president.

"George Bush did not respond first to going to Vietnam," said Cleland, a triple-amputee from his wounds in Vietnam. "He failed to respond and got out the best way he knew how, which was his political cronies in Texas."

Asked about newly released memos critical of Bush's service in the Texas Air National Guard, Cleland said, "It's just further evidence, really, that George Bush failed this country when it was his time to serve -- and he hid out."

"John Kerry's record is clear," Cleland said. "But it's not about the past. It really is about what's happening to our country now. ... We're in deep trouble. We're digging ourselves a hole and the majority of Americans know we need to change course."

"I am proud to be supporting a man, John Kerry, who when given the word that this country was under attack would have not spent seven minutes reading 'My Pet Goat."' >

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/news/archive/2004/09/10/politics1850EDT0140.DTL

[Frances]

1. My Pet Goat

We need to keep saying that over and over.

The Repubs don't understand complex thought.

[oasis]

2. Max is a true patriot and a firm believer in John Kerry. When Kerry wins

in November, the people on this planet will heave a collective sigh of relief.

[Sugarbleus]

5. "a collective sigh of relief"<-------Geeeez, so true n/t

[alittlelark]

3. I was in Reno last weekend -

I wish I could have seen him! HE ROCKS!!!

[JDPriestly]

4. Bush is a "failed responder"

I like the sound of that.

[JoFerret]

6. THE Pet Goat

- but that's a minor matter. Go Max! (Mind you....what Bush did and did not do on 9/11 is pretty irrelevant to voters now. We need focus of all the other imcompetence, mendacity and hypocrisy.)