Counterattacking Bush

Kerry has suffered (though only slightly, according to polls) from the personal attacks the Republicans have made on him over the past month. Now there are some gathering signs that a multi-pronged counterattack is beginning.

Over the weekend there was the statement by Ben Barnes, former Speaker of the Texas House, that he was “ashamed” that he helped get Bush into the Texas Air National Guard. His remarks got very little press coverage, but now it appears that he will be featured on 60 Minutes next week, with more to say on the subject.

Also, today Salon has a piece based on an interview with a woman who knows a lot about Bush’s “missing year” — i.e. what he was doing when he was supposed to be serving in the Alabama National Guard. It’s full of some pretty unflattering details about Bush’s time in Alabama in 1972.

Naturally, I’m not a fan of gratuitous attacks on a candidate’s personality, or even on their youthful indiscretions. However, I am a big fan of exposing hypocrisy. And I’m convinced that Bush has left himself extremely vulnerable in that regard… in so many ways.

Kash