Democrats Insist Republicans Pull Bush Ad

Associated Press ^ | 23 Nov 2003 | Jennifer Kerr

[PhiKapMom]

Democrats Insist Republicans Pull Bush Ad
By Jennifer C. Kerr
Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON (AP) - Senate Democratic leader Tom Daschle is demanding that Republicans stop showing their first television ad of the 2004 presidential race, which he called "repulsive and outrageous." The 30-second ad, which aired in Iowa over the weekend, features clips of Bush during his State of the Union address last January. It portrays Bush as a fighter of terrorism and says his opponents "are now attacking the president for attacking the terrorists."

"It's wrong. It's erroneous, and I think that they ought to pull the ad," Daschle told NBC's "Meet the Press" program on Sunday.

"We all want to defeat terrorism," the South Dakota senator said. But "to chastise and to question the patriotism of those who are in opposition to some of the president's plans I think is wrong."

The Republican National Committee has no plans to honor Daschle's wishes.

"We have no doubt that Sen. Daschle and others in his party who oppose the president's policy of pre-emptive self-defense believe that their national security approach is in the best interests of the country," RNC spokeswoman Christine Iverson said. "But we also have no doubt that they are wrong about that, and we will continue to highlight this critical policy difference as well as others."

Other Democrats on the Sunday talk shows joined Daschle in his criticism.

Presidential candidate Wesley Clark said the ad is wrong and ought to be pulled. It violates "the pledge the president made to not exploit 9-11 for political purposes," Clark said on CBS' "Face the Nation."

Massachusetts Sen. Ted Kennedy called it an "attempt to stifle dissent." On ABC's "This Week," Kennedy said "dissent is a basic part of what our whole society is about."

Speaking on CNN's "Late Edition," presidential candidate and Connecticut Sen. Joe Lieberman said the ad was misleading, nothing more than an attempt "to get the public's mind off the joblessness in America, the bad prescription Medicare drug bill ... the energy bill, which sells out to lobbyists."

Republicans countered that there was nothing wrong with the ad, which was airing Sunday in Iowa, the day before the Democratic presidential debate in Des Moines.

"It's portraying the president's leadership that he's displayed since Sept. 11, which I support," Republican Sen. John McCain of Arizona said on ABC. "I think it's a very legitimate statement to be made in the coming presidential election."

The ad will air through Tuesday in Iowa, and then may run again in New Hampshire during the next Democratic debate in December, said the RNC's Iverson. She said the party plans to run ads in conjunction with the Democratic debates, but the decision hasn't been made whether to simply run the current ad or new ones supporting the president.

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[PhiKapMom]

This defies my believeability meter. Guess some Dems have some guilty conscience since what the ad says is not the same as they are saying. Guess the DNC ad of Bush pushing a lady in a wheelchair down is okay though because it is a RAT ad!

[jwalsh07]

We're bright, we're RIGHT and we're in your face!

New conservative response to lefty whining. :-}

[tkathy]

Can hardly wait for more "dragging death" type commercials.

[Democratshavenobrains]

Maybe their claim would have some merit if the Democrats weren't continually accusing Republicans of not fighting against terrorists.

[Peach]

Love the title to this. They "insist"; like they have the power to insist on anything.

[Kay Soze]

If Demoncrats hast it then it must be a higly effective and truthful ad.

Double its airing!

[FairOpinion]

Here is the ad:

http://www.rnc.org/Newsroom/Releases/nov03/IowaAds.htm

RNC to Run Ads Around Democratic Presidential Debates

Washington, DC-The Republican National Committee today announced it will begin running television ads in Iowa on Sunday, November 23.

"After 10 months, Democrats running for President have coalesced around policies that are wrong for America. They unanimously oppose the President's policy of pre-emptive self-defense. They unanimously support massive tax increases. The RNC will continue to highlight the differences between the two parties on policy after policy that will provide the American people a clear choice in the next election," said Ed Gillespie, Chairman of the Republican National Committee.

To view the ad, go to: http://www.rnc.org/Newsroom/RNCResearch/Reality.htm

Script
Title: "Reality"
Time: 30 Seconds

PRESIDENT GEORGE W. BUSH: "It would take one vial, one canister, one crate slipped into this country to bring a day of horror like none we have ever known."
CHYRON: Strong and Principled Leadership
PRESIDENT GEORGE W. BUSH: "Our war against terror is a contest of will in which perseverance is power."
CHYRON: Some are now attacking the President for attacking the terrorists.
PRESIDENT GEORGE W. BUSH: "Some have said we must not act until the threat is imminent. Since when have terrorists and tyrants announced their intentions, politely putting us on notice before they strike?"
CHYRON: Some call for us to retreat, putting our national security in the hands of others.
CHYRON: Call Congress Now
CHYRON: Tell them to support the President's policy of preemptive self-defense.
REPUBLICAN NATIONAL COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN ED GILLESPIE: "The Republican National Committee is responsible for the content of this advertising."
CHYRON: Ed Gillespie
CHYRON: Chairman, RNC
CHYRON: The Republican National Committee paid for and is responsible for the content of this advertising. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate committee. www.gop.com

[Oldeconomybuyer]

..."It's wrong. It's erroneous, and I think that they ought to pull the ad"...

FLASHBACK: Election 2000, James Byrd, Texas truck dragging death blamed on Gov. Bush for not signing "hate crimes" bill in TV ad paid for by the ACLU/DNC.

Tommy and the RATS were silent in 2000 and the ad played in 8 critical states. Ef 'em.

[FairOpinion]

It really bothers them -- they seem to be whining in a chorus about it.

As you point out, they didn't speak up about an ad being inappropriate, when they were showing Bush shove the little old lady in a wheelchair off a cliff.

Here Democrats aren't even being mentioned -- the fact that they feel attacked is an admission on their part.

[Brilliant]

The Democrats have made Bush's wartime record an issue. They can't have it both ways.

[jwalsh07]

Maybe their claim would have some merit if the Democrats weren't continually accusing Republicans of not fighting against terrorists.

Their claim has no merit. Zip, nada, none.

The ad is truthful and we have history to back it up. Over 300 Americans were murdered in the 1990's by jihadists and not one was killed in reprisal by the dims who held the seat of power.

When given a choice the majority of Americans will opt for the politician promising them the most pork lest their security is in doubt.

Americans, spineless as many are, understand self survival.

It is my fervent wish that the Republicans remind the country of just who it is that pardons terrorists and who it is that kills them.

[PhiKapMom]

Thanks for posting the ad and transcript. It just confirms that this ad is hitting the bullseye and they the RATs have a guilty conscience. The ad must be resonating with voters! LOL!!!!

Love it when Daschle whines -- know we are on the right track!

[prairiebreeze]

I was going to ask if somebody could post this. And here it was! thanks

Prairie

[At _War_With_Liberals]

They have got some ba#$%! (sorry, I am watching The Sopranos!)

Bush is a hero who has destroyed AQ's leadership and their base, preventing another attack on US soil at the very least. Clinton screwed us over for 8 years.


They attack Bush with lies relentlessly in wartime after 1000's of Americans die in the past decade, and now go ballistic at the FIRST counter-criticism.

This is a war for the future of the US on so many levels it boggles the mind. Republicans should not respond to this, and should ratchet up the attacks.

By letting the Dims get away with their sedition, lies and hate mongering, we already have an unbalanced playing field when it comes to acceptable political methods. We need to shut the Dims up with an all out offensive. Now.

[PhiKapMom]

Didn't hear a peep out of Daschle on those Byrd commercials -- you are so right!

[okie01]

Massachusetts Sen. Ted Kennedy called it an "attempt to stifle dissent." On ABC's "This Week," Kennedy said "dissent is a basic part of what our whole society is about."

Teddy is evidently unable to distinguish between "dissent" and "sedition".

[Pukin Dog]

"You sir,..... have the power to demand......nothing.

[PhiKapMom]

Believe we should air in other states as well as Iowa -- this ad is good and with all the whining we need to keep it up!

[prairiebreeze]

They can't have it both ways.

LOL! Surely you jest....they're DemonRats! Having it both ways (or trying to) is thier pursuit of happiness.

Prairie