POLITICS -- All We Have to Fear is the Next 70 Days

You Can Quote Me. President Clinton wore a hearing aid. Perhaps the current President and Vice-President need to have their hearing checked, too. They have a habit of misquoting their opponents. Here’s one example:

"Every performer tonight in their own way, either verbally or through their music, through their lyrics, have conveyed to you the heart and soul of our country." -- Senator Kerry, July 8

"The other day, my opponent said he thought you could find the heart and soul of America in Hollywood." -- President Bush, Aug. 18

The Washington Post has more. (WashPost)

The Battle of Hap River, 2004. Senator Kerry is rounding up witnesses who agree with his account of events in Vietnam. And the President, while making a statement critical of all 527 ads, still refuses to directly condemn the swift boat ad. He did, however, praise Kerry‘s war record. (WashPost)

Politics is a Full Contact Sport. Former Senator Bob Dole -- the 1996 Republican Presidential nominee -- says his statement that Kerry “Never bled” from his wounds was “political hardball.” Dole says he made the statement to get Kerry “off the President’s back.” (AFP)

Waiting for Answers. Even as the swift boat ads questioning Kerry’s military service take center stage, there remain a lot of unanswered questions about President Bush’s military record. For instance, why did he suddenly stop flying, why did he refuse to take a required physical that resulted in his being stripped of his wings? The White House says they'll answer those questions -- it's just taking some time. It's taken since February. (USA Today)

Hey, You Don’t Think These Guys Would Want Something After the Election, Do You? Private donors will pick up most of the tab at the Republican National Convention in New York -- just as they did for the Democratic Convention in July. Donors are chipping in $64 million for the GOP -- they contributed $40 million to Democrats. That’s roughly 60% of the cost of each convention. (USA Today)

Traitors to the Cause. Rock star Alice Cooper is accusing fellow musicians of treason -- against rock ‘n roll, at least. Cooper often attends NBA games in Phoenix with Senator John McCain (R-AZ). But Cooper says ideas like the “Vote for Change” tour featuring folks like Bruce Springsteen and R.E.M., are wrong because “rock is the antithesis of politics.” (Blabbermouth.net)