Ads tame compared with what's probably coming (and fuss helps Bush)

[papau]

("Some are attacking the president for attacking the terrorists.")

http://www.usatoday.com/news/opinion/columnist/shapiro/2004-03-04-hype_x.htm

Ads tame compared with what's probably coming

There are two schools of thought regarding the ethical rules that should govern campaign ads:
•The brass-knuckles crowd believes that virtually any image or tenuously defensible statement is fair game in the street brawl of contemporary politics. OK, these permissive types might reluctantly draw the line at the 1964 Lyndon Johnson ad that implied that Republican Barry Goldwater would trigger a nuclear war. But otherwise, these cynical political warriors take their inspiration from the Cole Porter classic Anything Goes.

•Then there are the earnest believers in Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm politics. These high-minded folks would prefer an ad environment in which candidates spoke directly to the camera about their positions on the issues without making invidious claims about their rivals. Under this view, every statement in every commercial would be vetted by a non-partisan panel of experts alert to any hint of political hyperbole.<snip>

In politics, negative ads are normally the ones that prompt cries of unfairness. That is why it is such a worrisome sign that so much partisan energy is being squandered in squabbling over these gauzy, positive Bush ads. Compared with the invective that is likely to flow from both campaigns, we are still well within smile-button territory.

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AND OTHERS SEE FUSS AS HELPING BUSH

ABCNOTE: "The repetition of the Bush ad and the 9/11 imagery, even amid the throes of a "controversy," are bound to increase the association that viewers make between President Bush and his 9/11 leadership. So it doesn't seem necessarily obvious to us that they are on the defensive, here, or are particularly worried about seeming crass." ...."What's Kerry's election message? Ah … .Well, it used to be … Howard Dean by-way-of Joe Lieberman … . I'm strong where Bush is strong and strong where he's weak. But today?"

New York Times ' Rutenberg and Stevenson: "Mr. Bush's aides said that they would not pull the commercials and that the battle over them could even work to their advantage by focusing new attention on what they said was the president's forceful response to the attacks and the continued threat from terrorists. They said the controversy had been expected and was serving their aim of changing the debate from Democratic turf like health care and jobs to Mr. Bush's strongest suit, national security."

...campaign officials put a positive spin on the ad rollout, the duo Notes: "They said the controversy had been expected and was serving their aim of changing the debate from Democratic turf like health care and jobs to Mr. Bush's strongest suit, national security."








Find this article at:
http://www.usatoday.com/news/opinion/columnist/shapiro/2004-03-04-hype_x.htm

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[yardwork]

1. Naturally the Repubs say this is all part of the plan.

That's what the coca-cola company said about the "new coke" fiasco. But it was still a fiasco.

This is a fiasco for Bush, and the more his buddies keep insisting that it is perfectly fine to use the 9/11 site for his ads, the more disgusted swing voters will be with the ads.

The hardcore Bush supporters will support him no matter what. Let them.

All Kerry needs is a fair election and one more state than Gore won. Oops. Correction. All Kerry needs is a fair election and the states that Gore won.

[lovedems]

2. That is just plain idiotic. The chimp can try and try

but he will NOT escape his abysmall job record over the last 3 years. I don't think it is the chimp who will define the election year issues this year, it will be the people. We have seen from exit polls in the primaries that people are more concerned with jobs and the economy. I just don't think they can spin their way around or escape the condition of the economy. His dad tried and failed. I thought he was saying he learned the lessons of his father!

[ewagner]

3. This is a slippery slope for Dubya

"...association that viewers make between President Bush and his 9/11 leadership."

Do they really want to see ads of what Dubya actually did on 9/11?

[lovedems]

4. 2 widows from 9-11 were on the Today Show this morning claiming

that his leadership that day was terrible and they want to know why!

[papau]

5. That I liked!

:-)

[lovedems]

6. Yes! They really stuck it to the chimp in a way

politicians can't. While some can cry foul for the administration not cooperating with the 9-11 investigation, these are victims who want answers and they present it in a way that is not political! They want the truth! I really like the one widow who was describing the ad and saying the ad misrepresents the reality of 9-11. It was a scary day when our nation panicked and bu$h is portraying it with soft music and a heroic theme.

They really stuck it to him good!