McCain ‘Truth Squad’ Makes First Attack

ABC News’ Ron Claiborne Reports: John McCain’s "Truth Squad" went into action for the first time today, denouncing a mailer it says was sent to South Carolina voters by a group calling itself Vietnam Veterans Against John McCain.

"Today, a shadowy political organization calling itself ‘Vietnam Veterans Against McCain’ launched a vicious attack on John McCain in an attempt to impugn his character in the closing days of the South Carolina Republican Primary," said former Col. Orson Swindle, who was a fellow POW in Vietnam with McCain and is now a member of his campaign staff.

"The group claims that John McCain turned his back on his fellow POWs in order to save his own skin. Nothing could be further from the truth. I know because I was there. The truth is, the North Vietnamese offered John McCain early release, and he refused. He stuck to the time honored military code of first-in, first-out, and stood by his fellow POWs until the end — even at the risk of his own life as he was severely injured."

McCain said yesterday he did not expect there to be a recurrence of the smear campaign that occurred in South Carolina in 2000 but the ‘Truth Squad’ was being formed to immediately rebut any negative attacks on him if they did occur. McCain lost that primary to George W. Bush, effectively ending his bid for the Republican nomination.

On a conference call with reporters, Swindle said the leaflet contained "half-truths and misinformation and was done to try to destroy John McCain in the upcoming election."

At the bottom of the flyer attached to a McCain campaign news release is the name Swift Boat Vets For Truth, Kinston, N.C.