527 Ads

[TNRighty]

I think Bush is screwing up by trying to put a stop to the 527 ads. With all this stuff in the forefront, he has a golden opportunity to make a stand for free speech. A group of people who want to pool their resources to see that their opinions are heard have every right to do so, whether they support Kerry or Bush.

As an aside, the media's been all in a tizzy alleging all sorts of unsubstantiated collaboration between Bush and the swiftees, yet they've said not a single word about the Dems and Moveon.

[MO]

How is he trying to stop them? All I heard was his statement that he didn't like it.

The sKerry folks are damn hypocrits! They have out spent Republicans 3 to 1 $ on these soft money hit pieces.

[Arucard]

I’ll have to find some middle ground for you two. Prez doesn’t want to look bad for what the swift boats do but why the hell should he have to give into Kerry and denounce them individually. This administration played their hand perfectly this whole term. If you can't see it you don't look in depth. However bush would like an end to 527 all together (it would help him if at this point 527 ended all together) and he knows John Kerry won’t. So once again he made the best move in this political game of chess.

no offence to either of you. both points valid.

[TNRighty]

I don't know if he's yet initiated any legislation, but Bush has said he wants to stop the 527 ads. Bush can declare publicly he has no association with the swiftees, but he shouldn't try to silence them. And frankly, I don't know why he'd want to. Kerry has clearly taken a hard hit from all this.

However, I'm not thinking in terms of how it applies to this specific election. I'm not playing politics here. I don't care how it affects either Bush or Kerry. I'm addressing the broader issue of free speech.

[scummybear]

I agree.
Why is it OK for anyone to say anything they want about the president, but the swift boat vets are supposed to be silenced. What the hell is wrong with this picture?

As far as Bush saying anything directly to the the sbv's-
even if he could or would, he can't. He is bound legally not to have any contact with these types of groups.

The left is desparately attempting to find some connnection between Bush and the sbv's, but they won't because there isn't any. Bush has already said that he disapproves of the ads, but that's not good enough for the whining cry-baby, Kerry.

Finally,
I think that if you base your whole being on who you were in a war that happened thirty years ago, you damn well better be ready to make up your mind as to who's side you were on. But just like all of the other issues pertinent to the campaign, he (Kerry)wants to have it both ways.

[TNRighty]

Thanks Scummy.

MO and Arucard,

Just so you know, I'm on your side here. Ya'll know that. But this isn't about politics or the election. It's about one of the fundamental freedoms of democracy...the freedom to speak and the feedom to be heard regardless of your political persuasion. Come November I'm voting for W, but I still think he's wrong in trying to silence the swiftees. Let them be heard; let Kerry's supporters be heard. More importantly, let the American people hear it all and let us decide.

[MO]

I am commited to free speech as well. I don't think the president is going to do a thing to stop them. He will just keep saying that sKerry has a war record to be proud of to aviod giving his detractors more ammo on his own record.

[BOLO]

It was reported, although I have not seen anything official, that Pres Bush joined Fat Head McCain in a Law suit against the 527's
There is a deeper issue here.
The continual abridgment of the Constitution, and all it's amendments.
In particular the 1st and 2nd.
The Erosion is slow, piecemeal, but continuous. We must draw the line. Is there Political Free speech or isn't there?

[Arucard]

I do like the Kerry pic. It describes his stance perfectly. I feel that in all the freedoms we have that if 527 want to wager in then if they play by the rules then let’s not infringe on their rights. Personally i love the sbv’s ad’s it brings light to what the prez can’t say as a sensible candidate for re-election. However if bush himself is bringing charges to 527's I believe he is stating down a road that will only turn against him.(if that's just hearsay) On the topic of the sbv’s . I know he isn’t denouncing them in a way publicaly that shows him against them he has to concede to this one (to kerry) I doubt he embraces having to forgo supporting “his” 527 when some Sob’s (kerry) are using them in direct conjunction with each other.
Khum
(Kerry)