Yesterday's Albuquerque Tribune carried an Associated Press feature, Ad Watch, which purports to give us perspective on the latest TV ads for Bush and Kerry.
Analyzing a new Kerry pitch, it said, in part:
"And, subtly and without naming names, the ad makes a distinction betwen Kerry and President Bush by highlighting Kerry's Navy service in Vietnam. Bush was a fighter pilot in the Texas Air National Guard. His unit never was called up and he did not see combat."
Forgive me, but that distinction doesn't help the reader. Why didn't AP say, "Kerry joined the Navy and saw action in Vietnam." And "Bush joined the Texas Air National Guard...etc., etc.
This does not tell the whole story, of course. It omits the fact that Bush's application was jumped over a long line of guys waiting to get into the Guard, then a refuge from Vietnam. And it never touches on the question of his Guard attendance.
But it does the minimum, accurately describing the difference between Kerry's reaction to Vietnam and Bush's. They moved in opposite directions.
So Bush get a break.
Ah yes, that liberal media strikes again.