FactCheck.org Bush A Military ‘Deserter?’ Calm Down, Michael

Reporters Dig In

After the Globe story, partisan websites denounced Bush as ‘AWOL’ and worse. One is even named AwolBush.com . But other news organizations dug in and came to much milder conclusions.

George Magazine reported in October of 2000:
It’s time to set the record straight . . . . Bush may have received favorable treatment to get into the Guard, served irregularly after the spring of 1972 and got an expedited discharge, but he did accumulate the days of service required of him for his ultimate honorable discharge.

The New York Times reported Nov. 3, 2000:
But a review of records by The New York Times indicated that some of those concerns (about Bush’s absence) may be unfounded . . . . A review by The Times showed that after a seven-month gap, he appeared for duty in late November 1972 at least through July 1973.

The Washington Post also reviewed records and concluded:

It is safe to say that Bush did very light duty in his last two years in the Guard and that his superiors made it easy for him.

Ironically, this issue blew up in Wes Clark’s face as Peter Jennings tried to make a big deal out of it. Media should report; let the bloggers spin. ;-) mjh