Annotated Bush transcript

[Feanorcurufinwe]

QUESTION: Some of your supporters are refighting the Vietnam War with their comments about Kerry’s war record. Do you think that these attacks of this nature are unpatriotic, un-American, since we’re sending young people to war at this time?

BUSH: Yes, I think we ought to be debating who best to be leading this country in the war against terror

That's not what he asked, dimwit.

, and that’s what I continue to try to convince the American people of, is that I’m the right person to continue to lead the country in the war on terror.

I think we ought to be looking forward, not backward, and that’s the kind of campaign I will continue to run.

QUESTION: But why won’t you denounce the charges that your supporters are making against Kerry?

BUSH: I’m denouncing all the stuff being on TV, all the 527s. That’s what I’ve said.

I said this kind of unregulated soft money is wrong for the process. And I asked Senator Kerry to join me in getting rid of all that kind of soft money, not only on TV, but to use for other purposes as well.

I, frankly, thought we’d gotten rid of that when I signed the McCain-Feingold bill. I thought we were going to once and for all get rid of a system where people could just pour tons of money in and not be held to account for the advertising.

And so, I’m disappointed with all those kinds of ads.

QUESTION: This doesn’t have anything to do with other 527 ads. You’ve been accused of mounting a smear campaign.

Do you think Senator Kerry lied about his war record?

BUSH: I think Senator Kerry served admirably and he ought to be proud of his record.

But the question is who best to lead the country in the war on terror?

No, dimwit, the question was, 'Do you think Senator Kerry lied about his war record?'.

Who can handle the responsibilities of the commander in chief? Who’s got a clear vision of the risks that the country faces?

QUESTION: Some Republicans such as Bob Dole and some Republican donors such as Bob Perry have contributed and endorsed the message of those 527 Swift Boat Veterans for Truth ads.

QUESTION: When you say that you want to stop all...

BUSH: All of them.

QUESTION: So, I mean...

BUSH: That means that ad, every other ad.

QUESTION: (OFF-MIKE)

BUSH: Absolutely. I don’t think we ought to have 527s.

There should only be the corporate controlled media, and no way for ordinary citizens to pool there resources so that 1 million ordinary people can speak as loudly as a corporation or a millionaire.

I can’t be more plain about it. And I wish -- I hope my opponent joins me in saying -- condemning these activities of the 527s. It’s -- I think they’re bad for the system. That’s why I signed the bill, McCain-Feingold.

I’ve been disappointed that for the first, you know, six months of this year, 527s were just pouring tons of money -- billionaires writing checks. And, you know, I spoke out against them early. I tried to get others to speak out against them as well. And I just don’t -- I think they’re bad for the system.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn/A26648-2004Aug23?language=printer

[kentuck]

1. The Kerry ad !

BUSH: I think Senator Kerry served admirably and he ought to be proud of his record.

[Feanorcurufinwe]

2. I disagree.

That's the impression Bush wants swing voters to get -- that he is not behind the smear campaign.

QUESTION: This doesn’t have anything to do with other 527 ads. You’ve been accused of mounting a smear campaign.

Do you think Senator Kerry lied about his war record?

BUSH: I think Senator Kerry served admirably and he ought to be proud of his record.

The story here is not the impression Bush wants to leave with his weasel words, but the fact that he did not answer the question: Do you think Senator Kerry lied about his war record? and did not denounce the smear campaign.