HEADS UP: Conference call w/ Lockhart on Bush reaction to OBL tape

[WilliamPitt]

This is as verbatim as i can make it, am typing ass off.

IMPORTANT EDIT: Press release on the matter can be found in post #18 below.

==

Joe Lockhart conference call with the press on Bush reaction to OBL tape.

Bush went to the airport tarmac after the press played the OBL tape and talked about what he and Kerry agree on. He then went on and then gave one of the most partisan negative personal attack speeches to date in the campaign. He challenged Kerry's committment to protect this country.

"How shameful it was that Kerry would use OBL tapoe for political purposes" has since become the GOP spin. But let's do a review of facts, even though don't matter to bush campaign. Let's look at the timeline.

Kerry gave several speeches today about middle class living standards. Just before beginning some TV interviews, he got a news report that the OBL video might be coming. Kerry did not know what was on tape at time, had not seen it, the whole staff in the dark, no one knew even if it was authentic.

Kerry was asked in interview about his committment to fighting terrorism, and gave same answer he has given all through this campaign, and made mention of missing OBL at Tora Bora as he has many times.

Then, on the way to the airport, he got briefed by his National Security Advisor Rand Beers, who had himself just gotten briefed. Kery then gave a strong and eloquent statement: No one like OBL was going to divide America, we will stand united as Americans.

This is in stark contrast to the timeline of Bush's day.

Bush was beiefed THIS MORNING on the OBL tape. He was given the briefing this morning by his National Security team. Knowing what he knew, he then gave a speech this morning where he once again made personal and negative attacks, questioned Kerry committment to defending the country, and actually mocked the Senator several times.

Then tape was broadcast, and Bush offered this solemn agreement with Kerry about fighting terror. He then went out again and attacked Kerry. The entire Bush staff went into overdrive talking about how outraged they were that Kerry would play politics with the tape.

Play politics? There is something shameful here on part of Bush. He knew what was on the tape as early as this morning but still stuck to partisan attacks.

It is very clear from both timelines that the Bush campaign saw today as a day to execute a political strategy. It is the strategy of a campaign on the ropes and desperate to grasp at anything, no matter how grave or desperate.

It is particularly hurtful to the 9/11 victims families he spent the morning with. Even after he met with these victims families, he still executed this political strategy.

It is rank hypocrisy for the White House and staff to talk about what kerry is doing. More, it is shameful. This touches americans in such a tragic way, and the Bush campaign used it for political strategy

Rove said way back that the War on Terror wass key to their political strategy. We saw that tonight and it was shameful.

Bush is running around attacking Kerry's committment to defending our country. What an insane idea given Kerry's record of doing ecaxtly that. This speaks to Bush's character, and his desire to keep his office no matter what. Kerry has never questioned Bush's committment to protecting Americans, only his strategy for doing so.