Bush Unveils Negative Ads Vs. Kerry

Yahoo! News ^ | 3/11/04 | Ron Fournier - AP

[NormsRevenge]

WASHINGTON -

President Bush (news - web sites) will unleash his first negative ads against John Kerry (news - web sites) on Thursday, accusing the Democrat of seeking to raise taxes by $900 billion and wanting to "delay defending America," the Associated Press has learned.

"John Kerry: Wrong on taxes. Wrong on defense," says a female announcer in a new 30-second ad that will begin airing in battleground states.

A second ad, also premiering Thursday, tells voters they face choices on the economy, health care and the war on terrorism.

"We can go forward with confidence, resolve and hope. Or we can turn back to the dangerous illusions that terrorists are not plotting and outlaw regimes are no threat," Bush says in the second ad, without mentioning Kerry by name.

The scripts were provided to The Associated Press hours before the ads were previewed for Bush backers in Congress and readied for airing in some 18 states. In addition, Bush will begin running his first radio spot, and it will make the same high-taxes, soft-on-terorrism argument against Kerry, the officials said on condition of anonymity.

The ads, part of a multimillion-dollar media campaign launched by cash-rich Bush last month, is certain to spark debate over negative campaign tactics, as well as Kerry's record on taxes and terrorism.

The Bush ads come on the heels of Kerry's off-the-cuff remark Wednesday in which he called Republican critics "the most crooked ... lying group I've ever seen." That comment prompted Marc Racicot, the chairman of the Bush-Cheney campaign, to call on Kerry to apologize "for this negative attack."

Bush's first round of ads were positive, but their references to the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks drew criticism from Democrats and some victims' relatives who accused Bush of exploiting the tragedy. The White House argued that the terrorist strikes are a major part of Bush's presidency, thus fair game in the political season.

Republicans said they welcomed the debate over Sept. 11 that the ads prompted and look forward to wrangling with Kerry over the size of any tax increases he would support. Kerry has never explicitly called for a $900 billion tax hike, but Republicans are basing their case on incomplete arithmetic in his own policies.

Kerry's plan to reduce health care costs would cost nearly $900 billion, according to a study by Emory University economic professor Kenneth Thorpe, who has been cited by Kerry's campaign and other Democrats as an authoritative source.

The presumptive Democratic nominee has vowed to roll back Bush's tax cuts for the wealthy, saving about $250 billion over 10 years by most estimates. He would keep — and perhaps enhance — middle-class tax cuts pushed by Bush.

The White House argues that there is no way Kerry can implement his plan and hold the line on the federal deficit without hiking taxes by $900 million.

Kerry campaign officials have said they will flesh out his economic plans in the next several weeks to show how his proposals will pay for themselves without a major tax increase beyond rolling back Bush's tax cuts for the wealthy. The president's new ads may force his hand.

While racking up victory after victory to lock up the Democratic nomination, Kerry was highly critical of Bush's economic and foreign policies — both in advertising and on the stump.

The drumbeat of attacks from Kerry and other Democrats helped reduce Bush's poll ratings to their lowest levels of his presidency. Bush is now in a rush to recover, as well as to define Kerry for voters. The next several weeks gives the president a chance to go on the offensive while the nominee-in-waiting is low on money, enlisting the help of former rivals and preparing for the general election.

Bush's toughest ad, titled "100 days," envisions Kerry's first three months in office. "John Kerry's plan: To pay for new government spending, raise taxes by at least $900 billion."

"On the war on terror: Weaken the Patriot Act used to arrest terrorists and protect America. And he wanted to delay defending American until the United Nations (news - web sites) approved."

It does not mention Iraq (news - web sites), but aides said the ads refers to Kerry's criticism that Bush should have sought U.N. approval before fighting the war a year ago.

Bush's voice is heard at the beginning of the ad, saying he approved the message.

[alwaysconservative]

After some thought, I guess I agree with you. The more emboldened they get with their desperate attempts to bring down the President, the more distance they place between themselves and normal voters. I personally know of at least a dozen former Democrat voters that are so turned off by this kind of shenanigans that they will be voting for President Bush and the Republicans for the first time EVER!

[NormsRevenge]

Telling the TRuth to some folks is negative, yaknow.

[Integrityrocks]

Correctomundo! All this so-called "bad press" that Bush's ads are getting, just get the ads out there on more free air time. There will always be too large a percentage of dumb people who buy the media hype, but way more who see right through it. I trust them. Free air time is great! It will work for Bush, just like it did for Mel Gibson. Bring it on!

[Not A Snowbird]

If all Bush’s add said was “Hi I’m George Bush, vote for me” they’d accuse him of going negative.

He'd be accused of sending secret messages to the VRWC under the veil of decency and truth.

[GraceCoolidge]

I agree... the double standard is quite obvious. I find it pretty amusing, though, that pointing out John Kerry's voting record is a negative attack! Gee, you'd think his voting record should be something he is proud of. Here's my ad slogan: John Kerry for Whiner in Chief.

[NeoCaveman]

If all Bush’s add said was “Hi I’m George Bush, vote for me” they’d accuse him of going negative.

It says vote for Bush? That is negative because it means don't vote for Kerry.

[taxcontrol]

[ding ding]
Begin round 2

After playing rope-a-dope for the first round of the 2004 elections, during which Kerry was swinging wildly, President Bush comes out with a couple of sharp jabs that Kerry is taking to the chin.

[Not A Snowbird]

There's no telling what he might start saying if he really gets flustered. I say, crank up the ads and let's give him the chance to hang himself.

I can't wait for the debates! Who's bringing popcorn?

[Sangria]

I wish President Bush would use stronger language against John Kerry, but, being the gentleman that he is, he will probably continue to take the high road.

[Coop]

Remember how awful the last month has been for President Bush, at least according to the media? And how wonderful it's been for John Kerry, who has led virtually every news story (all positive, by the way) and essentially cinched the nomination?

February fundraising: Kerry - $8 mil, Bush - $9 mil.

:-) And this is at Kerry's peak and Bush's valley (at least so far). And I already made a modest contribution this month, and hopefully those around here happy with these "negative" commercials will follow suit.

I think the Democrats have been rejoicing because going negative (a la Dean) closed the gap, so to speak. And they're orgasmic over this. But IMHO what they've also accomplished is - via their lies, lack of class and vicious personal attacks (enabled by our "objective" media) - to take a dispirited conservative/Republican base and fire it up. I don't know about you, but I'm ticked. Dubya ain't perfect, but I trust him - not Kerry/Fonda -to protect me and my family. I've already got my Bush/Cheney bumper sticker on the car. (Left over from 2000...ssshh!) And I'm just itching to actively participate in the campaign.

[jtminton]

I worry that Bush will spend all this time and energy on Kerry and then Hillary will get the nomination. I think he should focus more on the Dim's ideas instead of the people. But I could just be crazy.

[RSmithOpt]

Now that I see we are willing to fight, I will be sending more money to Pres. Bush's campaign.

Me too!

[Petronski]

I am impatient for effectiveness in the Bush campaign. So far, this has been more like Dole '96.

[jerry639]

You are absolutely right. Just last night I saw one of the RATS on Fox saying that increasing the taxes on those who made over $200K per year would pay down the deficit AND "let us provide more health care".

[Howlin]

I wonder what people or groups of people are waiting in the wings to come out and denounce THESE ads?

And why is the truth negative?

[atomicpossum]

I think the Democrats have been rejoicing because going negative (a la Dean) closed the gap, so to speak. And they're orgasmic over this. But IMHO what they've also accomplished is - via their lies, lack of class and vicious personal attacks (enabled by our "objective" media) - to take a dispirited conservative/Republican base and fire it up. I don't know about you, but I'm ticked. Dubya ain't perfect, but I trust him - not Kerry/Fonda -to protect me and my family. I've already got my Bush/Cheney bumper sticker on the car. (Left over from 2000...ssshh!) And I'm just itching to actively participate in the campaign.

Imagine, though: Going negative works. Kerry going negative has ONLY gotten him even....and Bush hasn't gone negative on Kerry yet, which WILL take him down a peg (or two, or five). Bush still has his quiver FULL of arrows.

[NormsRevenge]

John Flip'n/Flop'n Kerry

[Coop]

I am impatient for effectiveness in the Bush campaign. So far, this has been more like Dole '96.

Oh, geez. Suffice it to say I heartily disagree.

[TomEwall]

I didn't understand where the $900 billion came from. What's the logic that Kerry will raise taxes by $900 billion?

[cwb]

Wow! Facts have now become attacks when levied by Republicans...while lies, personal attacks, rumors and accusations by Democrats are just honest, descriptive characterizatons. I guess his is another example of Franken's right-wing media.