The Democratic Party has begun its attack campaign on President Bush nine months before the election is set to take place. Party leaders are attacking the President’s military record, claiming he went absent without leave for close to a year.

President Bush served in the Air National Guard in Texas during the Vietnam War. He did not appear for duty for several months in 1972 because he was working for a Senate candidate in Alabama. These claims have not been refuted by Bush’s spokesmen, but they have said that he made up the dates he missed, as the Guard allows.

The hope of some Democratic Party leaders – such as National Chairman Terry McAuliff – is that people will see John Kerry, a war hero with a chest full of medals, standing next to George Bush, a man who went AWOL, and think to themselves that Kerry is the only logical choice to be the country’s commander in chief.

Military records are something to take pride in, not something that should be waved in the face of others.

The Democratic Party’s decision to attack President Bush’s military record comes in poor taste. He served in the National Guard and was given an honorable discharge, and according to reports he made up whatever time he missed according to Guard guidelines. This is a typical case of politicians digging for dirt.

President Clinton was known as a draft dodger, but people were able to look past that and focus on his political platform. Kerry, the decorated war hero, is looked down upon by some veterans for his behavior when he returned from his duty in Vietnam.

Kerry spoke at a 1970 anti-war rally, a three-day protest hike which featured a speech by Jane Fonda and a reading by Hollywood actor Donald Sutherland.

Rep. Randy Cunningham,R- California, a pilot in the Vietnam War said when Kerry stands with Jane Fonda, – someone notoriously hated by veterans – and a couple others as well and supports their agenda, it diminishes the service some of those who almost gave their lives for and the more than 56,000 people that lost their lives.

The political leaders of this country should not create a battle over candidates’ military records. Dirt can be dug up on both candidates’ records when it comes to the military, but this should not be the issue. A presidential campaign should be based on the issues each candidate stands for, and the military qualifications each possess. Military records should not be the only indicator.