LAS VEGAS – President Bush ignored a fresh round of questions about his service in the Texas Air National Guard and instead repeatedly questioned the character of Democratic challenger Sen. John Kerry during an appearance Tuesday before a National Guard convention here.
Pointing to Kerry’s evolving position on how much the United States should be spending in Iraq, Bush said, “It is critical that the president of the United States speak clearly and consistently at this time of great threat in our world, and not change positions because of expediency or pressure.
“Our troops, our friends and allies, and our enemies must know where America stands – and that America will stand firm,” Bush said to a cheering audience of 4,300 active and retired Guard members at the 126th annual conference of the National Guard Association of the United States. “We cannot waver, because our enemies won’t.”
Bush was referring to a recent speech in which Kerry said the $200 billion the United States had spent in Iraq had meant cuts in health care and education at home. He also repeated his criticism that Kerry had joined most members of the Senate in giving him authority in 2002 to wage war against Iraq, but that he later voted against money for the war.
Kerry is to speak to the convention Thursday. In a statement released after Bush addressed the National Guard Association, Kerry said: “I’ll be straight with the American people: Things are getting worse. … The situation is serious, and we need a president who will set a new direction and be straight with the American people.”
Although Bush holds a commanding lead over Kerry among veterans, according to polls, Tuesday’s appearance was crucial for the president because of public concern about the rising death toll of U.S. troops in Iraq and renewed questions about the president’s own National Guard service during the Vietnam War.
Bush said nothing about the brouhaha but pointed out that 19 presidents have served in the National Guard. “And I am proud to be one of them,” he added, to applause. White House press secretary Scott McClellan said Bush voters are concerned about the future, not such questions, and that the bottom line is that Bush was honorably discharged.
The Democratic National Committee on Tuesday announced “Operation Fortunate Son,” an effort to impugn Bush’s credibility by drawing attention to questions about his Guard service with 30 events in 21 states this week.
For the second day in a row, Bush made no specific mention of the burgeoning bloodshed in Iraq, including Monday’s car bombing in Baghdad and two separate attacks on Iraqi police and police recruits Tuesday. “Despite ongoing acts of violence, Iraq now has a strong prime minister, a national council, and national elections are scheduled for January,” he said.
Associated Press
President Bush speaks at the National Guard Association of the United States convention on Tuesday in Las Vegas.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.