Kerry files FEC complaint against swift boat group

[David_in_NYC]

Kerry files FEC complaint against swift boat group
Accuses 527 of illegally working with Bush campaign

Friday, August 20, 2004 Posted: 9:14 PM EDT (0114 GMT)

(CNN) -- The Kerry presidential campaign filed a complaint Friday with the Federal Election Commission, alleging that ads from an anti-Kerry veterans' group are inaccurate and "illegally coordinated" with Republicans and the Bush-Cheney campaign.

The complaint -- filed against Swift Boat Veterans for Truth -- states that "... there is overwhelming evidence that SBVT is coordinating its expenditures on advertising and other activities designed to influence the presidential election with the Bush-Cheney campaign."

A spokesman for the group, composed of Vietnam veterans who served on swift boats, said it had no response to the complaint. Members have previously denied coordinating with the Bush campaign.

A spokesman for the Bush campaign dismissed the complaint as "frivolous and false," but said it welcomed a broader look at the so-called 527 groups, tax-exempt organizations that engage in political activities.

excerpted from http://www.cnn.com/2004/ALLPOLITICS/08/20/kerry.swiftboat/index.html (http://www.cnn.com/2004/ALLPOLITICS/08/20/kerry.swiftboat/index.html)


The ad that prompted the complaint (http://www.swiftvets.com/)

[Alfred]

Kerry files FEC complaint against swift boat group
Accuses 527 of illegally working with Bush campaign

Friday, August 20, 2004 Posted: 9:14 PM EDT (0114 GMT)

(CNN) -- The Kerry presidential campaign filed a complaint Friday with the Federal Election Commission, alleging that ads from an anti-Kerry veterans' group are inaccurate and "illegally coordinated" with Republicans and the Bush-Cheney campaign.

The complaint -- filed against Swift Boat Veterans for Truth -- states that "... there is overwhelming evidence that SBVT is coordinating its expenditures on advertising and other activities designed to influence the presidential election with the Bush-Cheney campaign."

A spokesman for the group, composed of Vietnam veterans who served on swift boats, said it had no response to the complaint. Members have previously denied coordinating with the Bush campaign.

A spokesman for the Bush campaign dismissed the complaint as "frivolous and false," but said it welcomed a broader look at the so-called 527 groups, tax-exempt organizations that engage in political activities.

excerpted from http://www.cnn.com/2004/ALLPOLITICS/08/20/kerry.swiftboat/index.html (http://www.cnn.com/2004/ALLPOLITICS/08/20/kerry.swiftboat/index.html)


The ad that prompted the complaint (http://www.swiftvets.com/)



Let's see.....the Left spends $200 million (George Soros et. al.) over the past year on 527 anti-Bush attack adds...and then the Right spends $150 thousand on one add...and the Left is up in arms.

Sounds normal to me.

The timing of Kerry announcing his complaint to the FEC (Friday afternoon) was perfect to ensure that the topic of Sunday's shows would be the evil Republican attack ads.

McCain/Feingold's Bill is unconstitutional.....and just like the Assault Rifle Ban, completely useless. May they both die a quick death.

[Mediocrates]

Bush has spent 80 million outside of 527's going negative. He 'fired' a guy who was caught illegally working for his campaign and for the 527 at the same time.

I'm glad Kerry finally complained as is his right under the law that Bush pisses all over.

[Alfred]

That's fair. Let's get a list of democratics working for the 527s. I think you will see some BIG names there.

Its time I send a contribution to the Swift Boat Vets....but then I am no George (I hate America) Soros am I.

[KettleWhistle]

Kerry is obviously getting desperate. However, this is kind of hypocritical, considering all the half-truths and outright lies that Moveon.org and the like-minded groups have been saying.

[Mediocrates]

It's kind of looney for you to get down and dirty and feign indignance at your opponent getting down and dirty. I think that if your candidate wants to wallow in the mud then so be it. Just don't complain about it; cuz that's politics.

Yall should rip a page from Huey Long who had his own brother locked in a mental hospital so he couldn't run against the Kingfisher.

[redcake]

I'm not sure I've sorted out the Swift Boat folks claims one way or another to know where I stand... but...

...after hearing all the glorified details of Kerry's Purple Heart at the DNC, I truly wonder what the hell he even got that medal for? Am I missing something? I really do not understand what he did that every other soldier wasn't expected to do. Our expectations of engagement are to never leave troops behind during battle. I could be wrong, but it seems we give medals out like candy these days... but hearing that a very select number of Purple Hearts were awarded for Vietnam makes me seriusly question Kerry's validity.

On top of this, isn't he an admitted war criminal? Didn't he take political action to dissent from our military? How can he now act as Commander in Cheif? This isn't just an snub to our military...it's a snub to those who take political dissention, and political activism seriously!

For the record, I'm not a Bush supporter either.

[John]

John Kerry's 180 form to release his medical records, what does he have to hide? :D

[varian]

There may be a village idiot missing from Crawford, TX, but KERRY'S SKERRY!!!
Besides, I 'd prefer a Harpo Marx to a Snidley Whiplash any day. Who knows, I may even vote this time..., maybe?