[tgiles]

Nice ad-hominem attack. I understand the distinction between medals and ribbons but your average American does not, and ads should not be directed at you and me at this point, they should be targeted at swing voters if they are to have an effect.

This ad doesn't move the football forward, it moves it sideways.

[hoosiermama]

I understand the point you are trying to make, but you must remember all the vets that see this have family and friends and their comments will influence, who will influence, who will influence....

ALready I can name 11 local active democrats that will not be support sKerry in Nov, because of their military ties and this type of information.....They get it.

IMOSwift boats Vets are only targeting this group. Let someone else get the rest.

[cyncooper]

I understand the distinction between medals and ribbons but your average American does not,

Your condescension is not making your case. You are quite simply wrong that "your average American does not".

In addition, as regards Iraq, when contemplating making one commander-in-chief of our armed forces, the "average American" will reject one with such a cavalier attitude toward "symbols" of a war effort.

[Coop]

they should be targeted at swing voters if they are to have an effect.

Hey boss, these ads are targeted at swing veteran voters. Kerry's support among vets has dropped since the Swifties first aired. Veterans will certainly understand the differences between medals and ribbons.

But you and newby Mount Athos can keep trying to sell us that bridge!

[Melinda]

In 2004, Kerry says he kept his medals, threw away his ribbons. He makes the distinction right there on camera. In the '70's he threw the medals and ribbons away. Now he has replacements prominently displayed in his Senate office. This ad is another slow peeling off of his integrity. He knows the difference, and the viewer is not that stupid. It goes to the core and essence of who and what the man he really is.

[Smogger]

I understand the distinction between medals and ribbons but your average American does not,

Uh.. I think the average American can discern the difference between ribbons and medals, and will question upons seeing the ad why John Kerry can't. The answer is given at the end of the ad when Kerry admits that he was throwing away the "symbols" that our country had given him for his service. The answer is he is parsing his words because, he is emberassed for having done so now that he is running for President. The motivations for his parsing are not lost on the average voter as you assert.