Was Kerry right to condemn anti-Bush ad?

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

http://www.cnn.com/2004/ALLPOLITICS/08/17/war.records.ap/index.html

WASHINGTON (AP) -- John Kerry on Tuesday condemned a television ad that criticizes President Bush's Vietnam-era service in the Texas Air National Guard, even as prominent veterans linked to the Democratic presidential campaign echoed the commercial's accusations.

In a campaign shadowed by the war on terror, the military records of Kerry and Bush emerged again as an issue after Republican Sen. John McCain called on Kerry to denounce an ad that accuses Bush of using family connections to avoid the Vietnam War.

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[rpannier]

1. The Candidate should always take the high road

Let others trash scrub

[ClintonTyree]

2. Should have let it go...............

you can't play nice with these assholes. Bush's service record is a legitimate issue unlike the Swiftboat liars condemnation of Kerry.
Perhaps they think the American people are sick of attack ads, but if it's the truth there is nothing wrong with pointing it out to voters.

[Placebo]

3. Of COURSE, It Was the POLITICALLY SAVVY Thing To Do!

He will come out in the end looking like the better man, and the attacks on kerry are having no effect on him, the attacks on bush might.

[LTR]

4. Sad as it may seem, the AWOL issue is basically dead

It's been out there so long that it's like beating a dead horse to keep bringing it up as the topic of conversation. I think we've seen as much all the effectiveness it's given.

Kerry should take the high road in this. The military arguement is just getting ugly now, and it's time to hit 'em on the issues. It will also make him look better, since Bush hasn't condemned the Swift Vets accusations.

[democracy eh]

5. it was a smart move

a) high road as discussed
b) this Ad ran in what 3 states? now with Kerry commenting on it snippets get aired again and again nationally
c) it makes W look like a putz for not reacting to the Swift boat crap
d) it subconsciously, backhandedly keeps the meme going - Bush's service, AWOL, just the words keep floating and getting into the minds of voters.
e) any opportunity to contrast W and Kerry is good

[Rainbowreflect]

6. All very good points, I could not have said it better!