Today, Bush’s spokesman, Scott McClellan, was asked repeatedly if President Bush would denounce the obviously-false allegations made in the Swift Boat ads. Check out this ridiculous series of exchanges between McClellan and various members of the press:
MR. McCLELLAN: The President has condemned — well, first of all, the President has called on Senator Kerry to join him in calling for all of these ads and activity by these shadowy groups to stop, and he renewed that call today. The President has condemned all of these ads. And when he says he condemns them all, he means it. He wants Senator Kerry to join him in calling for a stop to all of these ads and activity.
Q But does he condemn the actual charge within the ad?
MR. McCLELLAN: That’s why I said —
Q Can I assume that, then?
MR. McCLELLAN: He condemns all of these ads —
Q So I can assume he condemns the content.
MR. McCLELLAN: Deb, he condemns all of these ads —
Q — and the content?
MR. McCLELLAN: Let me answer your question. The President condemns all of these ads. And he’s been very clear in that. When he says he condemns all of the ads, he means all of the ads. And Senator Kerry should join us —
Q He’s condemning the content of the ad, as well?
MR. McCLELLAN: He’s calling for a stop to all of these ads. That’s what he’s — he’s renewed his call today to Senator Kerry: Join us in calling for a stop to all of these ads.
Q So let me just ask you —
MR. McCLELLAN: And activity by these unregulated soft-money groups.
Q You’re not making a difference — you’re not distinguishing between the fact that they are 527s —
MR. McCLELLAN: I mean — go ahead.
Q You’re not separating, then, the fact that these are 527s getting unregulated money and the actual content of the ad, that Kerry might have fraudulently obtained his medals, he might have falsified records? You’re lumping that all in. When he says he condemns them, he condemns everything.
MR. McCLELLAN: Senator Kerry wants to have it both ways. Let’s call for an end to all of these ads by these shadowy groups that receive unregulated soft money….
Q So the content of all of them, he condemns that as well?
Q So can we assume that he’s also denouncing the content of the ads?
MR. McCLELLAN: You’ve heard what he said — he condemns all of the ads, Deb. He could not be more clear in saying that — and when he says something, he means it. Senator Kerry can put an end to all of this by — help put an end to all of this by joining us in calling for a stop to all of these ads. That’s what he ought to do.
[…]
Q So you’re condemning these ads, but not —
MR. McCLELLAN: Well, he believes we should get rid of all of this activity and ads by these shadowy groups.
Q But he’s not denouncing the specific charge within the ads?
MR. McCLELLAN: How many times are you going to ask the same question, Deb?
Q You didn’t answer.
MR. McCLELLAN: That is the answer: Senator Kerry should join us in calling for an end to all of this unregulated soft-money activity by these shadowy groups….
(From today’s press gaggle.)
But it’s not just McClellan, of course — Bush is just as bad, sticking to the talking points just as doggedly. From an exchange today:
QUESTION: But why won’t you denounce the charges that your supporters are making against Kerry?
BUSH: I’m denouncing all the stuff being on TV, all the 527s. That’s what I’ve said.
I said this kind of unregulated soft money is wrong for the process. And I asked Senator Kerry to join me in getting rid of all that kind of soft money, not only on TV, but to use for other purposes as well….
QUESTION: This doesn’t have anything to do with other 527 ads. You’ve been accused of mounting a smear campaign.
Do you think Senator Kerry lied about his war record?
BUSH: I think Senator Kerry served admirably and he ought to be proud of his record….
QUESTION: Some Republicans such as Bob Dole and some Republican donors such as Bob Perry have contributed and endorsed the message of those 527 Swift Boat Veterans for Truth ads.
QUESTION: When you say that you want to stop all…
BUSH: All of them.
QUESTION: So, I mean…
BUSH: That means that ad, every other ad…. Absolutely. I don’t think we ought to have 527s.
I can’t be more plain about it. And I wish — I hope my opponent joins me in saying — condemning these activities of the 527s. It’s — I think they’re bad for the system.
What a coward. More appalling than Bush’s pathetic responses, though, is his solution: no free speech! We have a president that genuinely believes that individuals should not be permitted to voice their opinions about the election. Which is particularly appalling when compared to his statements on McCain-Feingold in 2002 (via Atrios), which shows that this is just another convenient flip-flop by Bush:
I also have reservations about the constitutionality of the broad ban on issue advertising, which restrains the speech of a wide variety of groups on issues of public import in the months closest to an election. I expect that the courts will resolve these legitimate legal questions as appropriate under the law.
What a coward.