DNC exploits CBS propaganda

1) Sep 8, 2004
McAuliffe Statement on Breaking News About Bush's Military Record dnc.org link

Washington, D.C. - Responding to breaking news regarding George W. Bush's military record, Democratic National Committee Chairman Terry McAuliffe issued this statement:
"George W. Bush's cover story on his National Guard service is rapidly unraveling.
"Tonight's CBS New report made clear that President Bush has misrepresented the nature of his National Guard service for decades to the American people. And now that questions are being raised, only Bush can settle this once and for all by answering the unanswered questions about his Guard service.
"CBS News exclusively obtained documents that flatly contradict two of Bush's often repeated claims about his time in the National Guard - that he received no special treatment and that he fulfilled his duty.
"According to these new military documents, political pressure was applied and strings were pulled for President Bush at every step of the process: to get in the Guard, to stay in the Guard, and to exit the Guard.
"These are serious charges. They have not been leveled by his opponent. Or by a political party. Or by an outside group. They are based on documents from the personal files of Col. Jerry Killian, Bush's squadron commander.
"George W. Bush needs to answer why he regularly misled the American people about his time in the Guard and who applied political pressure on his behalf to have his performance reviews 'sugarcoated'?"


2) Sep 9, 2004
Bush Lied And Needs to Answer the Questions Himself dnc.org link

BUSH LIED: SAID HE GOT NO SPECIAL TREATMENT IN THE NATIONAL GUARD
Moderator: You are confident no influence was exercised on your behalf [in getting a spot in the Guard]?George W. Bush: I am, yeah. [1994 Texas Governor's Debate]
…BUT BEN BARNES PULLED STRINGS TO GET HIM IN
Dan Rather: …Barnes says he had a meeting with the late oilman Sid Adger, a friend to both Barnes and then-congressman George Bush….Ben Barnes: …But he said, basically, would I help young George Bush get in the Air National Guard? Rather: Barnes says he contacted his longtime friend, General James Rose, the head of Texas' Air National Guard…. Rather: And you recommended George W. Bush? Barnes: Yes, I did. Rather: You said that you did this for others, what we normally call "preferential treatment." Barnes: Oh, I would describe it as preferential treatment. [CBS "60 Minutes," 9/9/04]
BUSH LIED: SAID HE FULFILLED HIS DUTY
Bush, speaking from the Oval Office in 2004: "I'm just telling you, I did my duty." [Meet the Press, 2/8/04]
…BUT HE DISOBEYED A DIRECT ORDER TO TAKE A PHYSICAL AND WAS GROUNDED
"President Bush failed to carry out a direct order from his superior in the Texas Air National Guard in May 1972 to undertake a medical examination that was necessary for him to remain a qualified pilot, according to documents made public yesterday." [Washington Post, 9/9/04]
The colonel [Killian] goes on, the "officer," meaning then-Lieutenant Bush, "has made no attempt to meet his training certification or flight physical." [CBS "60 Minutes," 9/9/04]
…BUT HE TRIED TO GO OVER HIS COMMANDER'S HEAD TO GET A POSITIVE EVALUATION
In August 1972, Bush's superior officer Lt. Col. Jerry Killian notes in a memo that Bush had gone over his head and was "talking to someone upstairs" to avoid service in Alabama. [CBS "60 Minutes," 9/9/04]>…BUT HE MISSED MONTHS OF DUTY
"Yet Bush, a fighter-interceptor pilot, performed no service at all for one six-month period in 1972 and for another period of almost three months in 1973, the records show." [Boston Globe, 9/8/04]
BUSH LIED…AND THE ONLY WAY GEORGE BUSH PUTS THIS BEHIND HIM IS TO ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS FOR HIMSELF