Just watched Dan Rather interview Ben Barnes on 60 Minutes II. I had been led to believe ---probably by the breathless and desperate Leftists I hang around with too much--- that what Barnes had to say was going to be earth-shattering. But no such luck, comrades. He came off pretty evenly, even blaming himself for the ambitions he once pursued and the choices of life and death that were once in his power.
The more interesting stuff were the documents Rather dredged up about Lt. Bush's failure to meet his requirements. But none of it, as far as I can see, adds to what we already know. I think it's clear that Bush pulled strings and danced around his obligations, but it's equally clear that he served honorably and well for most of his time with the Guard. The future President also received an honorable discharge. That's a lot more than many others ever did, including people who are now ripping into Bush for not serving in a war that they themselves both avoided and opposed. But now that there's an election on the line, they become ---ostensibly--- great champions of the Viet Nam veteran. You'll excuse me if I find this laughable.
Okay, folks. The ante's been upped. This story may keep the Viet Nam issue on the front pages for a few extra days that it could have receded. That will not prove helpful to Kerry.
Even Bill Clinton would agree with that.