Burkett denies working for Kerry campaign

Fort Worth Star-Telegram ^ | Sep. 23, 2004 | Jack Douglas

[NewMediaFan]

The man at the center of a controversy over a CBS report on President Bush's military service denied Thursday that he was working in conjunction with the presidential campaign for Democrat John Kerry.

Bill Burkett, a former commander in the Texas Air National Guard and a critic of Bush's past service in the Guard, told the Star-Telegram in an interview that he still believes that memos he gave to CBS are authentic.

But he said that he had warned the television network to independently verify the reports before it aired them.

The memos, which are purportedly from a Guard commander who wrote that Bush was failing military requirements and that another commander was trying to "sugar coat" Bush's performance, are now widely believed to be forged.

The interview with the Star-Telegram is one of Burkett's first since CBS identified him as a source last week.

Burkett said Thursday that he received the documents earlier this year from an unidentified man at the Houston stock show. Later, he said, CBS approached him about disclosing reports about Bush's service in the Guard and that he "reluctantly" agreed to hand over the memos.

Burkett denied his actions were done at the behest of the Kerry campaign, although he acknowledged -- as has Kerry's campaign -- that he spoke with a staff worker about Bush.

Burkett said he thinks that CBS and anchor Dan Rather have tried to make him the "fall guy" in the dispute. He said Rather interviewed him for 3 ½ hours last week but used only portions of the tape that made Burkett look bad.

He also said that "CBS duped me" by identifying him as the source of the documents.

"Dan Rather ruined me in front of 70 million people," Burkett said.

Burkett, who said he is in poor health, said that since the controversy began he has received hate mail -- including death threats -- and that he has suffered four seizures.

He continues to run a ranch with his wife near Baird in West Texas.

[Chuzzlewit]

"me thinks he doth protest to much."

[Wait4Truth]

He still believes the docs are real...and he's not working with the Kerry campaign...this guy deserves whatever hate mail he gets.

[man from mars]

He is on their Web site for Veterans for Kerry. I couldn't find the link but
I saw it during the scandal.

[B-Cause]

BTT

Burkett said he thinks that CBS and anchor Dan Rather have tried to make him the "fall guy" in the dispute. He said Rather interviewed him for 3 ½ hours last week but used only portions of the tape that made Burkett look bad.

He also said that "CBS duped me" by identifying him as the source of the documents.

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Remember Rush pointing to everything aims at Travis County Texas? Austin is in Travis County. Robin is in Austin. Rather (Dan) got caught at a Democratic fund raiser there for/with his daughter Robin. Instinct tells me she is the source & main culprit here and Dan Rather is trying to protect his daughter!

---

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Also, this is from a message board.

[ThisLittleLightofMine]

Can't pay the time, don't do the crime. He ruined himself. I suppose wrong would depend on what the definition of wrong is....

[GailA]

I see cleland and lockhart and dean are reduced to STAFF workers!

[Area51]

Look on the bright side. If he is working for the Kerry Campaign he is the most sane person there.

[Hatteras]

"Dan Rather ruined me in front of 70 million people," Burkett said."

Yeah, right.

[george wythe]

Burkett said he thinks that CBS and anchor Dan Rather have tried to make him the "fall guy" in the dispute. He said Rather interviewed him for 3 ½ hours last week but used only portions of the tape that made Burkett look bad.

Hello!? That's how the TV producers operates.

Remember what happened between Connie Chung and Newt's mother?

Newt's mother was told she would be asked a few questions to warm up, but that the interview would start later. Guess what? The warm-up questions were the ones used prominantly.

TV producers lie.

[Prost1]

Boy, with a face like that, Dan Rather surely was not kind to her mother!

[Pharmboy]

C'mon...can't be...that's Dan from 20 years ago in a fright wig. Right?

[bootyist-monk]

What did he and Joe Lockhart talk about? Why aren't the MSM asking that question? (Of course, we all know why)

[Auntie Dem]

Geezzz...
That's one homely broad.

[San Jacinto]

I must see documentation to support this denial.

[gsrinok]

Actually, I think this man is to be pitied rather than despised. He has some sort of neurological disorder and is obviously crazy. He should be in a ha-ha house getting large doses of medication.

[Wait4Truth]

LOL! You may be right! Kerry calling Allawi a liar after his speech shows just how insane Kerry is! I couldn't believe that even HE would do that. What a nutcase!

[Wait4Truth]

Sorry, he gets no pass from me.

[Ditto]

Bill Burkett, a former commander in the Texas Air National Guard...

WRONG. Burkett was NEVER in the Air National Guard. He was Army National Guard.

BIG Difference. You would think these prestitudes would learn from Danny-boys example.
(Triva Question: Why did the forged documents use Army jargon as opposed to Air Force jargon?)

[StAnDeliver]

Burkett said Thursday that he received the documents earlier this year from an unidentified man at the Houston stock show. Later, he said, CBS approached him about disclosing reports about Bush's service in the Guard and that he "reluctantly" agreed to hand over the memos.

With a shovel.

But no, seriously, "CBS approached him"? Burkett is bold-face turning dime on C^BS! He's validating the FRonventional wisdom. Gotta like that...plus this guy is ferociously p.o.'ed.

Which intrepid blogsoul is finally going to get Burkett to go on the record and give up Kerry, Lockhart, Cleland and Blather (and Mapes, as if anybody cares)?