Yet another connection between Bush and the Swiftboat Veterans for Truth.

I happened to catch a kind of weird press gaggle style interview with Jerry Patterson on CNN today. Jerry Patterson is the Veteran that Bush brought in to cower behind when Max Cleland showed up to kick some ass at the ranch.

CNN’s transcript of the gaggle changed the name Bob Perry to Bob Kerrey- that’s an important distinction, especially since Bob Perry is the main backer of the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth. Jerry Patterson admits to receiving in excess of $150,000 from Bob Perry.

‘Nuff of my yackin’- let’s hear Jerry tell it:

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Who called you today to begin to put this letter together?

JERRY PATTERSON, TEXAS LAND COMMISSIONER: I was driving to Dallas for another function, and I was called by — I forgot who it was — a guy in the Bush campaign in Waco, that said. “You’re a veteran. You are a Vietnam veteran.” And I said, “Yes.”

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: (INAUDIBLE)?

PATTERSON: I don’t know who — I got a — you know, when those phones ring and you’ve got the funny noise and you don’t have the rear — you don’t have the number on it.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Did he give you his name?

PATTERSON: He did. I think it might have — he works for Ken Mehlman. You know? So, you figure — OK.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: And what time was this?

PATTERSON: I don’t know.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It was this morning.

PATTERSON: It was this morning.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: And sir, can you describe what he said to you?

PATTERSON: He said that Mr. — Senator Cleland, an honorable — clearly an honorable — an American hero, a guy who gave far more than I gave — and I was only there six months and the war ended. I left the day of cease-fire.

But was going to come and deliver a letter. And — that they had a letter signed by veterans and if I would be also a signatory. And I said, “Yes.” And he read me the letter. And I’ve got it right here.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Who wrote…

PATTERSON: And that basically — that basically says what we’re talking about.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes. I thought you spoke to the president.

PATTERSON: And I spoke to the president after this was all, you know, done deal, letter drafted. And he said, “Thank you for your service.” And I know the president because he was governor when I was a state senator here in Texas.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Who wrote the letter?

PATTERSON: We all — the letter was drafted by Bush-Cheney ‘04, and we, all of us signatories, which are myself, Duke Cunningham, Duncan Hunter, Sam Johnson, General Palmer, Robert O’Malley (ph), a Marine medal of honor recipient, James Fleming (ph), another medal of honor recipient, and Colonel Richard Castle (ph) agreed to have our names on it. And we’re saying basically in the letter that you can’t have it both ways. I could read it to you.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Before — were you working on veteran strategy with the Bush campaign before today?

PATTERSON: I’ve never worked on anything for the Bush campaign. I’m a volunteer and will probably do more volunteering.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Is it the first time you talked to the president since…

PATTERSON: The first time I talked to the president since the — in over — maybe since the last campaign. He knew I had twins six months ago, though. He knew that I’m a 58-year-old father of six- month-old twins, and he made comment about that. How did he know that?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: (INAUDIBLE)?

PATTERSON: Yes, they are.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Do you know Bob [Perry]?
[Note: CNN transcript incorrectly says “Bob Kerrey”]

PATTERSON: Yes, I do.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: What — how do you know Bob [Perry]?

PATTERSON: He’s been a major contributor to my campaigns. I was a state senator, as I said, for six years. And he was a major contributor to my campaign. The interesting thing about Bob Perry, he never called and asked me for anything.

Until today, it would appear.

Looks like Kerry/Edwards are already on this. Good.