Posted on 03/11/2004 11:16:59 AM PST by 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.
Kerry has ran for office only in MA and in Dem Primaries. He's never had to appeal to voters as conservative as are swing voters in a U.S. general election. Moreover, he has never had to face any serious opposition from true conservatives. Gov. William Weld gave him a tough fight, but as a RINO. This is all new to Kerry. He thinks it is out of bounds to question him so, and he adopts the victim role, "How Dare They..." etc. This will not wear well over 8 months.
If anyone wants to join me, Ron Fornier can probably be reached through the AP office in DC -- 202.776.9400. :)
Not bad. But I like: "John Kerry: Because America Loves a Fine French Whine".
Kerry's remarks (soundbite) will be quoted by the media everytime a new Bush ad comes out. Of course, the media will not attach the negative label to Kerry's comments because they were not made in an ad. This was the whole purpose of Kerry's "unscripted" remarks.
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