Amazing. These statements about Bush have all been proven time and time
again to be outright lies and still you proudly publish them. "Have you
no shame, sir????? " to coin a phrase!!
[email protected] wrote:
*WE'VE SEEN THIS (AND WORSE) BEFORE....* Following up on an earlier
item
<http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/archives/individual/2010_05/023849.php>,
Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal (D) clearly has a
problem on his hands, after misleading rhetoric
<http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/18/nyregion/18blumenthal.html?hp>
about his Vietnam-era military service. As far as the political
implications go, there's one key question: is this controversy
survivable, or is it a career-killer?
We'll know fairly quickly whether Blumenthal can persevere -- either
he and his campaign will be effective in responding to this, or it
won't. Blumenthal hasn't been tested much as a candidate, and this
will clearly constitute the biggest test of his professional life.
But speaking generally, it's not unreasonable to think a politician
can survive -- and even thrive -- after a controversy like this one.
One particularly high-profile figure comes to mind.
*Remember George W. Bush?*
You may recall, for example, that when* Bush launched an unsuccessful
congressional campaign, he claimed to have "**served in the U.S. Air
Force*
<http://www.eschatonblog.com/2004_09_12_atrios_archive.html#109500958708998636>*."
That was clearly not true.*
*In 2002, Bush claimed that he'd "**been to war*
<http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/features/2003/0309.mendacity-experts.html>*."
That was clearly not true, either.*
*In many instances, Bush claimed to have completed his obligations to
the Texas Air National Guard. Again, **that wasn't true*
<http://www.usnews.com/usnews/news/articles/roane040908.htm>*.*
*In 2007, Bush claimed to have "**firsthand*
<http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/blog/2007/11/09/BL2007110901363_pf.html>*"
experience with the consequences of combat. That, at a minimum, is
misleading.*
My point here is not to rehash the former president's deceptive
descriptions of his military service. My point is that a politician
can be caught misleading voters about a service record, and still do
very well on Election Day. In Bush's case, he made dishonest claims
about serving, and managed to nevertheless get elected president -- twice.
—Steve Benen <mailto:[email protected]> 8:35 AM Permalink
<http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/archives/individual/2010_05/023850.php>
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