Bush: "19 individuals have served both in the Guard and as President."

[VolcanoJen]

That quote is from his speech yesterday, to the General Conference of the National Guard Association of the United States.

http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2004/09/20040914-23.html

Josh Marshall points out Bush's "fuzzy math" and "fuzzy criteria" here:

http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/

Excerpt:

Actually, it's even more striking because President Bush is one of only two presidents who served in the Guard during the 20th century. (Harry Truman served in the Missouri National Guard from 1905-1911 and then again in World War I.)

So what's the deal? Why were the 19th and 18th centuries so rich in Guard-serving presidents?

Basically the president was using what amounts to a historical trick.

He's including the individual state militias, which before the 20th century fought most of America's wars, as the National Guard.

So, for instance, Thomas Jefferson, who briefly commanded a regiment in the Virginia militia. He was in the National Guard.

<snip>

The president didn't come up with the number 19 out of whole cloth. The National Guard Association of the United States for instance speaks of the 19 presidents "who served in the Guard or its forerunner, the organized militia." President left off that little detail.

Just another Bush distortion. :eyes:

[ibegurpard]

1. No one has an issue with him serving in the Guard.

It's the question about him NOT SHOWING UP and possibly using undue influence to GET INTO THE GUARD instead of enlisting or being drafted.

[cheshire]

2. Suprise Suprise, Shows desperation I think. Defending ,self failure.

[livetohike]

3. 19 Presidents who didn't go AWOL is what the Dems

should come back at him with, imo. :eyes:

[cthrumatrix]

7. LOL..... shrub is sooooo fricking desparate ....he has nothing to run on

[classof56]

4. And how many Presidents joined the Guard to avoid going to war?

Oh...and then deserted? That's Bush for ya--in a class by himself!

BUSH MUST GO!!!

[Kierkegaard]

5. Yeah, and one asshole,

who didn't fuck up half as bad as you have GOT HIS ASS IMPEACHED and then RESIGNED! Feel free to follow suit.

[kskiska]

6. How many of them

were sent to fight a war outside the U.S.?

[jackstraw45]

8. Heard this quote on CBS radio...and AGAIN they left on THUNDEROUS applause

on the clip after the line playing for about 7-10 seconds (an eternity in a 90 second news update).

Seems like that happens a LOT with their Bush coverage on radio. I often hear BIG applause left on for Bush clips for NO reason.

Never hear them on Kerry clips. Guess the CBS news radio editor is a Republican.