2008 Woodie Awards
EDITORIAL: Bush's military record
Issue date: 2/9/04 Section: Opinion
(U-WIRE) NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. - With the primaries winding down and the presidential election about to swing into the forefront, attacks from both Democrats and Republicans are becoming more and more common. The Democratic national chairman, Terrence McAuliffe, has charged President George W. Bush of being absent without leave from his National Guard duty during the Vietnam War and dared Bush to release his military records for the nation to truly understand the nature of his service.
In neither the 2000 Republican primary nor in the general election did either of Bush's opponents use Bush's military record as a campaign accusation. However, this is a more hostile Democratic Party, and Kerry has continuously made his actions in Vietnam and his relationship with fellow veterans an important part of his campaign. Bush has also not shied away from emphasizing his connections with the military. On "Meet the Press" Sunday he said he was a war president and stressed the importance of properly utilizing the American military. However, responding to McAuliffe's attacks, Bush has promised he would release his military records to prove he completed his service to the country.
Hopefully, this election will not become a smear campaign by both candidates. It should not focus on the actions of the candidates when they were 20-years-old. However, if Bush is planning on emphasizing his military connections, he has to show the American people he actually served and fulfilled his duties as a member of the Texas Air National Guard. But instead of trying to prove he is worthy of the responsibilities that come with being president by showing he served, he should focus on how he plans to improve the country and make Americans' lives better.
In neither the 2000 Republican primary nor in the general election did either of Bush's opponents use Bush's military record as a campaign accusation. However, this is a more hostile Democratic Party, and Kerry has continuously made his actions in Vietnam and his relationship with fellow veterans an important part of his campaign. Bush has also not shied away from emphasizing his connections with the military. On "Meet the Press" Sunday he said he was a war president and stressed the importance of properly utilizing the American military. However, responding to McAuliffe's attacks, Bush has promised he would release his military records to prove he completed his service to the country.
Hopefully, this election will not become a smear campaign by both candidates. It should not focus on the actions of the candidates when they were 20-years-old. However, if Bush is planning on emphasizing his military connections, he has to show the American people he actually served and fulfilled his duties as a member of the Texas Air National Guard. But instead of trying to prove he is worthy of the responsibilities that come with being president by showing he served, he should focus on how he plans to improve the country and make Americans' lives better.
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