by Jean-Louis Doublet
CRAWFORD, Texas, Aug 23 (AFP) - US President George W. Bush on Monday called for a stop to campaign ads by independent groups, including those targetting John Kerry's war record, and praised his Democratic rival's service as a Swift Boat captain in Vietnam.
"I think Senator Kerry served admirably and he ought to be proud of his record," Bush told reporters at his ranch here when asked about ads attacking Kerry's military service by a group known as the "Swift Boat Veterans for Truth."
Asked if he thought the ads by the Swift Boat group should be stopped, Bush replied: "All of them, that means that ad, every other ad ... I'm denouncing all the stuff on TV."
The president had until Monday declined to repudidate the ads which the Kerry campaign claims were orchestrated by Bush operatives and which allege Kerry lied about some of the wounds or medals he received in Vietnam.
However, Bush's criticisms of the ads did not go far enough for Senator Kerry's running mate ahead of fast approaching November 2 presidential election.
"The moment of truth came and went, and the president still couldn't bring himself to do the right thing. Instead of hiding behind a front group, George Bush needs to take responsibility and demand that the ad come off the air," Senator John Edwards said in a statement.
The ads, which started airing August 5, have put the Democratic senator from Massachusetts on the defensive over his war record. The issue has dominated the campaign in recent weeks, with each side accusing the other of lying and engaging in dirty tricks.
Bush called for a clampdown on so-called "527" partisan groups that can launch scathing attack ads with virtual impunity against their preferred candidate's opponents. The name relates to a financial exemption the groups benefits from.
"I can't be more plain about it. And I wish, I hope my opponent joins me in saying, condemning these activities of the 527s," said Bush, who has been the target of a number of critical ads from groups opposing his reelection.
The Republican incumbent said debate should not center on Kerry's service nearly four decades ago, but on the current terrorist threat to the United States.
"We ought to be debating who is best to be leading this country in the war on terror. That's what I continue to try to convince the American people, that I am the right person to continue to lead the country in the war on terror," Bush said.
Bush's praise of Kerry's Vietnam record came as the campaign of his Democratic rival redoubled its efforts to link Bush to the attacks by the "Swift Boat Veterans for Truth."
But Kerry aides and supporters have not been able to cite any firm evidence that the president or his top strategist, Karl Rove, are behind the ads. Any collaboration between the ads and the president's reelection campaign would violate campaign finance laws.
Kerry aides stress that one of the veterans in the group's ads served until late last week as a coordinator for veterans issues for the Bush campaign. They also point to a New York Times report that several backers of the group have close ties to the Bush family.
The Kerry campaign has rallied veterans who served alongside him to testify to his courage under fire, for which the senator was awarded a Silver Star and a Bronze Star.
The Democrat was also the target of a fierce attack Sunday from prominent Republican Bob Dole, a World War II veteran, who questioned the three Purple Hearts he received for wounds in Vietnam.
Dole assaulted Kerry on CNN television, saying Kerry had won "three Purple Hearts and never bled that I know of. I mean, they're all superficial wounds."
Dole's suggestion that Kerry "never bled" runs counter to US Navy records showing that Kerry still carries shrapnel in his left thigh from a February 1969 firefight.
Dole defended his remarks Monday as "political hardball, and certainly Senator Kerry understands that."