So far this week, CNN's John King and Chris Cuomo on New Day have both felt the need to dredge up the 2004 Swift Boat Veterans for Truth ads exposing negative aspects of then Democratic presidential nominee John Kerry's military service and anti-war activities, as CNN personalities have suggested "hypocrisy" in Jeb Bush and other Republicans condemning Donald Trump's dismissal of John McCain's military record.
On Tuesday, during the show's regular "Inside Politics" segment, King slammed the Swift Boat ads as "reprehensible," asserting that they "have yet to meet the truth," as he brought up Jeb Bush praising the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth group a decade ago, with King declaring that "hopefully" Bush "learned a lesson" and "regrets" praising the anti-Kerry group.
At about 7:36 a.m., King raised the topic:
One thing I want to get on the record, Jeb Bush was among those who came out very early to come out and condemn Donald Trump, saying he went way over the line in attacking John McCain and veterans. A little bit of history, in 2004, when George W. Bush was in a close election against John Kerry, an organization called Swift Boat Veterans for Truth ran a bunch of ads that 15 years later -- or 11 years later, excuse me -- have yet to meet the truth. Those ads were reprehensible in their attacks on John Kerry. And Jeb Bush back then wrote a letter to one of the leaders of the group praising them.
After reading from Jeb Bush's letter to Colonel Bud Day from a decade ago praising the group, King added:
That was then, this is now. But important for the record. Hopefully, Jeb Bush has learned a lesson. Hopefully, maybe he regrets that. But he did that then, and we want to put that on the record.
CNN reporter Nia-Malika Henderson introduced the word "hypocrisy" as she weighed in:
Yeah, he did, and, you know, some hypocrisy there. I think Tim Miller, Bush's spokesman, came out and said, "Well, he was really just thanking them for their service. What's wrong with that?" But, you know, when it's helpful to you, you're sort of okay with it. I think that's the game in politics. When it's not, then you're condemning it, so, yeah.
On Monday's show, co-anchor Cuomo complained that Republicans did not show "collective outrage" at the Swift Boat ads:
However, though, when you look at the rest of the Republican field, he's turning and saying, "Look at them complain about me now." Does he have a point? You know, they weren't out there on his comments about immigrants the way they are about POWs.
And, you know, as a collective outrage, you know, we'll want to look back in history. Remember John Kerry? Remember what happened with John Kerry and his record? Say what you want about John Kerry, but you remember the Swift Boat ads? There wasn't collective outrage there. Is this a little self-serving, as well?
Below are transcripts of relevant portions of CNN's New Day from Monday and Tuesday, July 20 and 21:
#From Monday, July 20:
CHRIS CUOMO: I would be very surprised if we don't hear Donald Trump qualify his statements about what he thinks about veterans and prisoners of war and those who have been injured in service, including John McCain. I would be shocked. He's many things. One of them is not stupid.
However, though, when you look at the rest of the Republican field, he's turning and saying, "Look at them complain about me now." Does he have a point? You know, they weren't out there on his comments about immigrants the way they are about POWs.
And, you know, as a collective outrage, you know, we'll want to look back in history. Remember John Kerry? Remember what happened with John Kerry and his record? Say what you want about John Kerry, but you remember the Swift Boat ads? There wasn't collective outrage there. Is this a little self-serving, as well?
#From Tuesday, July 21:
JOHN KING: One thing I want to get on the record, Jeb Bush was among those who came out very early to come out and condemn Donald Trump, saying he went way over the line in attacking John McCain and veterans. A little bit of history, in 2004, when George W. Bush was in a close election against John Kerry, an organization called Swift Boat Veterans for Truth ran a bunch of ads that 15 years later -- or 11 years later, excuse me -- have yet to meet the truth. Those ads were reprehensible in their attacks on John Kerry. And Jeb Bush back then wrote a letter to one of the leaders of the group praising them.
He wrote to Colonel Bud Day, "As someone who truly understands the risk of standing up for something, I simply cannot express in words how much I value their willingness to stand up against John Kerry. Their efforts, like their service to the country, speak volumes about what matters most."
That was then, this is now. But important for the record. Hopefully, Jeb Bush has learned a lesson. Hopefully, maybe he regrets that. But he did that then, and we want to put that on the record.
NIA-MALIKA HENDERSON: Yeah, he did, and, you know, some hypocrisy there. I think Tim Miller, Bush's spokesman, came out and said, "Well, he was really just thanking them for their service. What's wrong with that?" But, you know, when it's helpful to you, you're sort of okay with it. I think that's the game in politics. When it's not, then you're condemning it, so, yeah.
