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You are right -- it was disproved already and here is the AP report that just came out with the White House response. Gloves are off! Clark is more of a Clymer then I previously thought after reading this. Maybe the WH should be asking why Clark he was fired or why he wanted to start WWIII with the Russians by bombing them.

White House Strikes Back at Critics

By TERENCE HUNT
.c The Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) - The White House struck back Tuesday at Democratic critics questioning President Bush's record of military service, saying the issue ``represents the worst of election-year politics.''

``It is outrageous and baseless,'' presidential spokesman Scott McClellan said in response to suggestions that Bush shirked his military duties when he was in the Texas Air National Guard in 1972.

Military service has emerged as an issue in the campaign for the White House. Sen. John Kerry, the front-runner in the race for the Democratic presidential nomination, and retired Army Gen. Wesley Clark are decorated veterans and remind campaign audiences of their service.

Democratic National Committee Chairman Terry McAuliffe said Bush was ``AWOL'' during the Vietnam conflict, while former Sen. Max Cleland of Georgia has criticized Bush's service in the Texas Air National Guard. Clark has criticized Bush for his remark challenging enemy forces to ``bring 'em on'' earlier in postwar Iraq.

Bush was a pilot in the Texas guard during Vietnam but never flew in battle. ``Only someone who hasn't seen war firsthand would ever say anything as fatuous as 'bring 'em on,''' Clark said earlier in the campaign.

Responding to Bush's critics, McClellan said: ``The president fulfilled his duties. That's why he was honorably discharged.'' ``These kinds of attacks have no place in politics, and everyone should condemn them,'' McClellan said. 02/03/04 11:33 EST

I think Brokaw was used in the last debate, to get this issue back on the table. It is the flavor of the week, and all the usual suspects have been hitting the talk shows, spewing this issue. This from the people who defended an actual draft dodger.! sheesh!!

You see, they are letting the issue be Bush and his supposed non service. This is being done to scare the republicans away from attacking Kerry for his left wing behavior after returning from Vietnam. The repubs need to strongly attack Kerry for claiming, without justification, that the American soldiers in Vietnam were war criminals. The dems are scaring the repubs out of it, and even getting the bonus of going on the offense against Bush.

Bush has nothing to be ashamed of. Defend his service, and bash Kerry over the head with his poor judgment in falsely accusing soldiers of atrocities, throwing away other peoples' medals, etc.

By the way, the dems started this so it is all fair game! It really troubles me that the repubs can't turn on a dime, as is needed: "Senator Kerry, I served in the national guard and flew jet fighter aircraft and was ready to be called to combat as so many brave guardsmen were in Iraq. But this election is about our ability to make sound judgments as president. I applaud the bravery you showed when called upon in a combat situation. But in my opinion you disqualified yourself from the presidency when you then chose to appeal to left wing politics in Massachussets by condemning your fellow soldiers as war criminals and accusing them of the most outrageous atrocitiies - which you later had to admit you saw none of in Vietnam. And I also respectfully believe you showed poor judgment when you made a public show of throwing away soldiers' war medals - medals of the type you now display in your Senate office." etc.

Don't forget Cleland is on of those "angry white men". You know the ones, liberal democrats from the south. Must be getting lonely! I am sure he'd call Mother Theresa names is she was a conservative.