George W. Bush's presidential campaign told John Kerry it does not condone any effort to impugn his patriotism but asserted that senator's voting record on national security and defense issues is a valid target of political scrutiny.
Responding yesterday to a letter in which Kerry accused President Bush of using surrogates to attack his military service in Vietnam and his subsequent opposition to the war, Bush-Cheney 2004 campaign chairman Marc Racicot said, I ask you to elevate the remarkably negative tone of your campaign and your party over the past year.
Kerry had taken umbrage at statements that Sen. Saxby Chambliss, R-Ga., made earlier, predicting trouble for the Massachusetts Democrat in Georgia's primary because of a 32-year history of voting to cut defense programs and cut defense systems.
In the letter to Bush Saturday, Kerry wrote: As you well know
Vietnam was a very difficult and painful period in our nation's history and the struggle for our veterans continues. So it has been hard to believe that you would choose to reopen these wounds for your personal political gain. But
that is what you have chosen to do.
Saxby Chambliss
on the part of the president and his henchmen
decided today to question my commitment to the defense of our nation
Kerry said while campaigning in Georgia, one of 10 states choosing electoral delegates on March 2.
Kerry told a news conference he voted for the largest defense and intelligence budgets in American history, although sometimes he voted for common sense to make changes.
In his reply letter yesterday, Racicot said, Our campaign does not condone any effort to impugn your patriotism. Your letter claims that supporters of our campaign questioned your service and patriotism. In fact
that simply wasn't the case.
Our campaign is not questioning your patriotism or military service
but your votes and statements on issues now facing our country
said Racicot, former governor of Montana. Senator Chambliss addressed your Senate record of voting against the weapons systems that are winning the war on terror.
Countered Kerry spokesman David Wade: The Republicans need to answer to the American people for their craven tactics that degrade our democracy and question the patriotism of those who stand up and ask questions about the direction of our country. ... John Kerry takes a back seat to no one when it comes to maintaining the strongest military on the face of the earth and keeping our promises to America's veterans.
