John Kerry should take note of President Bush's finesse.
TROY, Ohio — President Bush said opponent John Kerry's (search) service was "more heroic" than his during Vietnam, in an interview shown Saturday on NBC News.Is there any better possible position to take? Of course, flying fighter jets is pretty dangerous, and Bush's unit was actively fighting in Vietnam when he signed up even though it wasn't by the time he began flying."I think him going to Vietnam was more heroic than my flying fighter jets," said Bush, who served in the Texas Air National Guard (search). "He was in harm's way and I wasn't. On the other hand, I served my country. Had my unit been called up, I would have gone."
MW: "Is there any better possible position to take?"
No, there isn't.
It's clearly a tactical move, though (what isn't during an election year?) Bush needed to undercut (or attempt to, anyway) any perception by the public (legitimate or otherwise) that his campaign had anything to do with the Swift boat stuff.
Is it going to work? Who knows.
It may very well be a tactical move, it may not. The important thing is, it was the right thing to say.
These two guys are about the same anyway, when it comes to military service. They both volunteered in "secondary units". The only reason Kerry went to Vietnam was because his unit happened to get activated. He didn't volunteer for Vietnam, although it just so happened his unit went. That in no way reduces his bravery, however.
But any left reaction to Bush's comments are typical. He can't win. If he said his was more heroic, they'd eat him alive. If he's honest, and says the right thing, then its just a "tactical" move.
Darned if you do, darned if you don't.
JP: "But any left reaction to Bush's comments are typical. He can't win."
But any right-wing reaction to Kerry's comments is typical. He can't win.
Your statement cuts both ways.
I thought we were talking about Bush.
Eh.