A reliable source just passed along a transcript of the Swift Boat Liars' TV spot. Lots of names to Google here...
Transcript:
[BEGIN]
JOHN EDWARDS: If you have any question about what John Kerry's made of, just spend three minutes from the men who served with him. (from speech used in Kerry TV ad)
VOICEOVER: Here's what those men think about John Kerry.
MAN: I served with John Kerry.
MAN: I served with John Kerry.
GEORGE ELLIOT, Lieutenant Commander, Two Bronze Stars: John Kerry has not been honest about what happened in Vietnam.
AL FRENCH, Ensign, Two Bronze Stars: He is lying about his record.
LEWIS LETSON: Medical Officer, Lieutenant Commander: I know that John Kerry is lying about his first Purple Heart, because I treated him for that injury.
VAN ODELL, Gunners Mate, 2nd Class: John Kerry lied to get his Bronze Star. I know, I was there; I saw what happened.
JACK CHENOWETH, Lieutenant J.G., Bronze Star: His account of what happened and what actually happened are the difference between night and day.
ROY HOFFMAN, Rear Admiral, Distinguished Service Medal, Silver Star: John Kerry has not been honest.
ADRIAN LONSDALE, Commander, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star: And he lacks the capacity to lead.
LARRY THURLOW, Lieutenant J.G., Bronze Star: When the chips were down, you could not count on John Kerry.
BOB ELDER, Lieutenant, Bronze Star: John Kerry is no war hero.
GRANT HIBBARD, Lieutenant Commander, Two Bronze Stars: He betrayed all his war shipmates. He lied before the Senate.
SHELTON WHITE, Lieutenant, Two Bronze Stars: John Kerry betrayed all men and women he served with in Vietnam.
JOE PONDER, Gunner's Mate 3rd Class, Purple Heart: He dishonored his country. He most certainly did.
BOB HILDRETH: Lieutenant Commander, Bronze Star, Purple Heart: I served with John Kerry. John Kerry cannot be trusted.
VO: Swift Boat Veterans for Truth is responsible for the content of this advertisement.
[END]
This ad begins airing Thursday in Iowa, Ohio and West Virginia in an approximately $550,000 buy, according to spokeswoman Jennifer Webster. The group plans to continue raising money and continue running ads, with their next buy planned for national cable outlets.
The group was formed in April by Navy Adm. Roy Hoffman and John O'Neill. O'Neill, like Kerry, commanded a swift boat in Vietnam. He also debated Kerry about Vietnam in the early '70s on the Dick Cavett Show.
Swift Boat Veterans for Truth has raised money from donations from members of the group and also has received funds from GOP benefactors. The largest contribution so far was $100,000 from Houston homebuilder Bob Perry, a Republican donor. But the group denies it has links to the White House or national GOP, saying it was formed solely by swift boat veterans who think Kerry is lying about his war record. [BS! -ed] A spokeswoman for the group said none of the members were previously politically active, and she said the group counts Republicans, Democrats and independents among its members.