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A Daily Chronicle of Bush Administration Distortion August 25, 2004
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More Bush Connections to Smear Ads



While aides to President Bush continue to claim "we weren't involved in any way in these ads"1 against Sen. John Kerry (D-MA) by Swift boat vets, more evidence emerged yesterday to disprove those denials.

First, the Washington Post reports that a "top lawyer in President Bush's reelection campaign acknowledged that he has been advising the veterans group." Benjamin L. Ginsberg, the "chief outside counsel to the Bush campaign" admitted "I've done some work for" the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth.2 Ginsberg has long been a top adviser to Bush. The LA Times reports he represented the Bush campaign in 2000 and became a prominent figure during the Florida recount. In the current presidential campaign, his law firm has been paid $256,635 for his services3 by the Bush campaign. That figure does not include any cash Ginsberg made in his work with the Swift Boat Veterans.

Additionally, the Dallas Morning News yesterday reported that the man bankrolling the smear ads is hosting President Bush's top political adviser at a fundraiser in New York during the Republican National Convention. Robert Perry, the top Bush-Cheney fundraiser who is financing the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth ads, "is listed as the co-host" of an event whose guest list includes Karl Rove on September 1.4

This news follows revelations earlier this week that one of the veterans smearing Kerry in the ads is actually a member of the Bush-Cheney campaign.5 It also follows news that the Bush-Cheney campaign headquarters in Florida is distributing fliers promoting the group smearing Kerry. 6

Sources:
  1. "Press Gaggle by Scott McClellan," WhiteHouse.gov, 8/20/04.
  2. "Bush-Cheney Lawyer Advised Anti-Kerry Vets," Washington Post, 8/25/04.
  3. "Bush Lawyer Also Advises Anti-Kerry Veterans," LA Times, 8/25/04.
  4. "Kerry critic listed as fund-raiser's co-host," Dallas Morning News, 8/23/04.
  5. "Bush Misleads on Connection to Smear Campaign," Misleader.org, 8/23/04.
  6. "Swift Boat member skips rally over fliers at Bush campaign office," Miami Herald, 8/22/04.



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