"Earlier this year, though, Kerry aides raised the exact points the memo seemed to address."
Hmm indeed. If true, could indicate that Kerry/McAuliffe were fashioning the debate early on along the lines of these memos, and that they knew of the memos whenever "Earlier" is.
I suppose if one wanted to do research, a way would be to see when the "Bush failed an order to take a physical" meme popped up first. That angle, about an "order" to do it, seems unique to the CBS memos.
Reynolds reported that Kerry recently began playing "Fortunate Son" at his rallies. This was a planned hit, done in concert with CBS.
And no officer would put an order in a Memo -- not going to happen.
The earliest reference to this meme I have found is from 30 June 2004, http://groups.google.com/groups?selm=nuo6e01usbas8kiedqt2oo1ck38gmfh6hr%404ax.com.
It quotes from a web page. Here is an excerpt:
... Regardless of what actions ARPC contemplated when reviewing Bush’s records, all options required that Bush be certified as physically fit to serve, or as unfit to serve. ARPC thus had to order Bush to get a physical examination, for which Bush did not show up. ARPC then designated Bush as AWOL and a "non-locatee" (i.e. a deserter) who had failed to satisfactorily participate in TXANG, and certified him for immediate induction through his local draft board....