Group Urges Voters Not to Choose Bush
By AP from the NYTimes on the Web, June 14, 2004
WASHINGTON, June 13 -- Angered by Bush administration policies they contend endanger national security, 26 retired American diplomats and military officers are urging Americans to vote President Bush out of office in November.
The group, which calls itself Diplomats and Military Commanders for Change, does not explicitly endorse Senator John Kerry for president in its campaign, which will start officially on Wednesday at a Washington news conference.
The Bush campaign said Sunday that it would have no response until the group formally issues its statement at the news conference. The group's position was reported Sunday by The Los Angeles Times.
Among the group are 20 ambassadors, appointed by Democratic and Republican presidents, other former State Department officials and military leaders whose careers span three decades.
Prominent members include Gen. Joseph P. Hoar of the Marines, who was commander of United States forces in the Middle East during the administration of Mr. Bush's father; and Adm. William J. Crowe Jr., the ambassador to Britain under President Bill Clinton and chairman of the joint chiefs of staff under President Ronald Reagan.
"We agreed that we had just lost confidence in the ability of the Bush administration to advocate for American interests or to provide the kind of leadership that we think is essential," said William C. Harrop, the first President Bush's ambassador to Israel and earlier an ambassador to four African countries.
Mr. Harrop said the group was disillusioned by Mr. Bush's handling of the war in Iraq and other issues.
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