Posted on 03/16/2004 6:08:44 PM PST by Coleus
Sometimes, a picture says way too much
Bush uses 9-11 in re-election campaign ads
Monday, March 15, 2004
Sept. 11 was a seminal moment in American history; it was a defining moment in the presidency of George W. Bush. Even critics of the president won't argue that. What they will argue is the appropriateness of using Sept. 11 imagery - in particular firefighters carrying a flag-draped coffin - in campaign ads.
As an incumbent, Bush has every reason to promote his leadership skills in his first term. But the Bush campaign's choice of using a flag-draped coffin, besides being in questionable taste, raises another question. If images of the dead from Sept. 11 are suitable in a campaign advertisement, why aren't photos of flag-draped coffins of U.S. servicemen and women returning from the Iraqi war suitable to be shown in newspapers, magazines and on television?
The Bush administration has deliberately prevented the news media from photographing one of the most tangible and permanent effects of the Iraq war: coffins of dead U.S. soldiers.
If the president wants to claim that the world is safer today than it was on Sept. 11, 2001, he should give credit where it is due - to the men and women wearing the uniform of the United States.
A danger the president faces in using Sept. 11 as a sign of his leadership is that Bush did not find his footing until he came to New York, grabbed a bullhorn and addressed rescue workers at Ground Zero several days later. Sept. 11 found Bush in a Florida elementary school, appearing to react slowly to events unfolding in New York and in Washington, D.C.
And whether it was because of security concerns or poor communications, the president flew from Florida to Air Force bases in Louisiana and Nebraska before returning to the White House. In the immediate hours after planes crashed in New York City, at the Pentagon and in a field in Pennsylvania, Bush was heading away from the scenes of tragedy. Sept. 11 was not the president's shining hour.
The Bush campaign made a poor decision in not focusing on the president's strength at Ground Zero or his eloquent speech to a joint session of Congress. The 2004 presidential campaign is shaping up to be a negative one months before the nominating conventions. The Democratic presumptive nominee, Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry and Bush are both up for the fight. However, Sept. 11 victims and their families should not be caught in friendly fire.
Sept. 11 will forever hold a special place in the hearts of minds of the people who witnessed and lived that day. The emotions of that day are fair game for any politician. A Democratic incumbent would not shy away from using similar footage. After all, voters can be swayed by emotion.
But if Bush wants Americans to see coffins and to believe in his leadership, the president must show them all the coffins of those who died because of his orders as commander in chief.
Many Americans support the president's decision to send U.S. troops into Iraq. Many do not.
How important the Iraq war is to voters will become evident on Nov. 2.
In the interim, the president would be wise to let the dead of Sept. 11 rest undisturbed unless he is prepared to recognize the hundreds of soldiers who have returned to the United States, unnoticed and silent inside flag-draped boxes.
Maybe it's unintentional on your part but you just rattled off a RAT talking point flawlessly. Therefore you 'lose' credibility on your first day here on the FR.
1. Why are Bin Laden's crimes, listed on the FBI 10 most wanted poster, not including 9/11?
2. Why were Saudis and more importantly Bin Laden family member allowed to fly out right after the attack. No interviews with the FBI, nothing...just gone....while other Americans where not allowed to get home.
I think Bush MUST answer all the 9/11 commission's questions and give the all the time they need or he is going to loose credibility going into November."
Hey DUfus, I have some questions for you.
Why did BJClinton do nothing after the '93 WTC bombing, Somalia attacks, Khobar towers bombings, African Embassies bombings, and USS Cole Bombings? He was offered Osama on a platter by sudan TWICE chump.
Let me expand on that Paul. He caused men to die in Vietnam.
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