Post by W.O.M.I on May 29, 2007 10:21:34 GMT -5
Another gaffe by a Democrat running for President being downplayed by much of the MSM:
(h/t Michelle Malkin)
Now just imagine how this same story would be covered if it was, say, George W. Bush who made these 'mistakes'?
I admit to being just a bit disappointed by Richardson's lies and distortions. Despite his link to the disgraceful Clinton Administration, I never thought of him as a rabid Clintonista. In fact, I judged him to be the most reasonable- or perhaps more accurately "least unreasonable"- Democrat running for President. Certainly I would not use the word "Socialist" to describe Governor Richardson. But it seems that, as Mother Sheehan found out, there really is no honor among thieves.
(h/t Michelle Malkin)
Welcome to Memorial Day 2007. Here's a lesson in How Not To Honor a Fallen Soldier 101. Don't do what Democratic presidential candidate Bill Richardson did to fallen Marine Lance Corporal Aaron Austin:
Get his name wrong.
Exploit his death on the campaign trail.
Insult his mother by claiming she talked about money with you at his memorial service, which she vehemently refutes--and then refuse to apologize.
Here's the transcript from Meet The Press yesterday. Geez:
MR. RUSSERT: Let me ask you about a controversy that has arisen from some speech you’ve been giving on the stump, particularly in New Hampshire, regarding a mother from New Mexico. Here’s the headline from the Associated Press: “Mother of fallen Marine says Richardson misrepresented conversation with her.”
“On the campaign trail, presidential hopeful Bill Richardson tells a moving story about a New Mexico Marine killed in Iraq and his mom. But is it true?
“Three years ago, Richardson attended a memorial service for Lance Corporal Aaron Austin, 21, who died in April” of “2004. As he campaigns for the Democratic nomination, the New Mexico governor often recounts an emotional conversation with Austin’s mother, saying she thanked him for the federal death benefits she had received and even showed him the government check.
“In speeches in New Hampshire, Richardson has gotten Austin’s name wrong at least once,” “age wrong at least twice. He also has called Austin the first New Mexico soldier killed in Iraq—instead of the third.
“But that’s not what bothers the Marine’s mother, De’on Miller, of Lovington, New Mexico, who says the conversation about money never took place. ‘I don’t know a person rich or poor that would be told that” her “only living child has been killed, and you’re going to strike up a money conversation? Bill Richardson needs to stop pushing this lie. Aaron’s name had better not be used again in any way. Not mine either. A full written apology is due me for this.’” Will you apologize to her?
GOV. RICHARDSON: Tim, she—we have different recollections. That family is heroic, that young man is heroic. But let me tell you what that—my attending that ceremony caused. It inspired me to go to the New Mexico legislature and propose a $250,000 death benefit—life insurance—for every National Guardsman in New Mexico. It’s now $400,000. It passed. I made it happen. And then 30 other states—I went to the National Governors Association, and we pushed this--30 other states have made this happen. And the federal death benefit has gone up.
Now, I, I fully respect that family. We have different recollections. But that’s where I learned, at that ceremony, that the death benefit for our soldiers was $11,000. And look, Tim, I am not going to—there is nobody that has done more for veterans, any governor, I believe, than I have. No state income tax for enlisted people. I was just in North Korea two months ago, and I brought back—I’ve been working on this for years—the remains of six Americans from the Korean War. All kinds of initiatives, such as this life insurance policy that has been...
MR. RUSSERT: But if it troubles her, out of respect for Mrs. Miller and her son Aaron Austin, will you stop using his name and her name?
GOV. RICHARDSON: Yes, I will. I will do that. But we just have different recollections, Tim, and—but, but that family is honorable. I attended that service. I was really moved. You know, I call as many of the mothers of New Mexico soldiers that’ve been killed. But no one will ever question my commitment to help our veterans. I was in North Korea. I rescued—I helped rescue, helped push forward the release of—many years ago—of, of an American helicopter pilot. So I believe very strongly that we have to stand up for our veterans when they come back, coming back PTSD, they’re not getting the help that they deserve.
MR. RUSSERT: But if Mrs. Miller feels used, you would apologize for it.
GOV. RICHARDSON: Well, Tim, I—that’s where I learned about this death benefit. There was an individual there that saw a piece of paper being given to me. I, I don’t want to get into this. I want this to—I respect that woman. I will not mention it again.
MR. RUSSERT: And you’re sorry?
GOV. RICHARDSON: Well, I’m sorry for the way she feels, but I believe I acted honorably. Look at the result. The result was $400,000 life insurance for New Mexico National Guardsmen that served and then 30 states that covered all their veterans. They followed New Mexico’s lead. They followed my lead. The federal death benefit, which was shameful, $11,000, $12,000 is now significantly higher.
Now just imagine how this same story would be covered if it was, say, George W. Bush who made these 'mistakes'?
I admit to being just a bit disappointed by Richardson's lies and distortions. Despite his link to the disgraceful Clinton Administration, I never thought of him as a rabid Clintonista. In fact, I judged him to be the most reasonable- or perhaps more accurately "least unreasonable"- Democrat running for President. Certainly I would not use the word "Socialist" to describe Governor Richardson. But it seems that, as Mother Sheehan found out, there really is no honor among thieves.