When we talk about Bush's Military record, I think we should forget the TANG, Coke and typewriters and focus on his current military record. I think this would be great for Kerry et al to push, and as I started doing research for this diary, it turns out the
Democratic Policy Committee agrees with me as they have already produce talking points along these lines. Unfortunately, as we have seen, they seem to have trouble getting their message out, so that is where we come in.
Below the fold are the points I have come up with so far, but I want your help to refine them and turn them into talking points.
First, the campaign and all of our surrogate need to hit this now and at the same time, When asked about Bush's military record, they should say, "Actually I would like to talk about this. Bush has a horrendous military record over the past 4 years and he need to own up to it."
The Shorter Talking Point
Iraq is FUBAR.
We sent our troops their without the equipment they needed and it has gone down hill from there. They predicted we would be greeted with candy and flowers and instead we have a mounting death toll and increasing chaos.
More Detailed Talking Point
Bush takes better care of Haliburton's profits than he does the men and woman fighting this poorly conceived war.
Bush sure talks a good game during photo ops with the troops and he promises them the moon, but when it comes to our troops, Bush is all hat and no cattle.
During the 2000 debates, Bush made many promises for our troops, he told this country:
The first thing I'm going to do is ask the Secretary of Defense to set up a plan so we're making sure we're not spending our money on political projects, but on projects to make sure our soldiers are well paid, well housed, and have the best equipment in the world.
But his actions speak louder:
- Bush has failed to provide soldiers with appropriate equipment and protective gear.
- Opposed increases in family separation pay and imminent danger bonuses
- Instead of fixing the dilapidated military housing, Bush cut 1.5 billion from the military construction budget.
- Bush called an increase of the $6,000 gratuity paid to families of troops who die on active duty wasteful and unnecessary.
- Bush thanks them for their service and then opposes a proposal to give National Guard and Reserve members access to the Pentagon's health insurance system.
George W. Bush's military record is wrong for our troops. John Kerry will never lie to our troops about why we are going to war, never send them there without the equipment and planning they need to succeed and stay safe, and most importantly never, never take them for granted.