Bush exploits 9-11

[snuffbox 0]

This really makes me ill...

 

 

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=stor...political_ads_6

 

WASHINGTON - With a huge $10.5 million downpayment, President Bush (news - web sites)'s re-election committee rolled out its first campaign commercials on Wednesday, using images of the destroyed World Trade Center to claim "steady leadership in times of change."

 

"What sees us through tough times? Freedom, faith, families, and sacrifice," says one commercial, as clips roll of the Sept. 11, 2001, wreckage, a flag being raised, children saying the Pledge of Allegiance, parishioners at a church, parents with a new baby and firefighters.

 

The ads portray the Republican incumbent as a steward who has led the country through three years of economic woes and terrorism fears and seek to make the case that Bush has emerged as a leader amid foreign and domestic challenges.

 

"I know exactly where I want to lead this country," Bush says in a different ad. "I'm optimistic about America because I believe in the people of America."

 

Flush with more than $100 million, the campaign on Thursday begins what is expected to be multimillion-dollar advertising onslaught lasting several months.

 

The first three ads, unveiled at campaign headquarters in suburban Washington, will run on broadcast channels in about 80 markets in 18 states, most of which are expected to be competitive, and nationwide on select cable networks.

 

The states are: Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Iowa, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin.

 

The campaign would not discuss its ad buy. However, it already is spending about $4.5 million on cable networks, including CNN, Fox News Channel and MSNBC, to run three weeks of ads. It also has bought about $6 million worth of airtime on local broadcast affiliates for one week worth of commercials, according to non-campaign sources familiar with the buys, which are moderate in most of the media markets.

 

For now, the ads are positive but they will turn sharply critical at some point, contrasting Bush's record with that of Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry (news - web sites), the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee.

 

If the ads succeed in boosting Bush's sagging poll numbers, Democrats will have little choice but to respond quickly and substantially on the air. But Bush's huge cash advantage could put a dent in the coffers of Kerry, who just finished an expensive primary season, and the Democratic National Committee (news - web sites), which has $16 million to start its ad campaign.

 

Liberal outside groups, which can't coordinate with the campaign or the DNC, also plan to spend millions on ads to counter Bush's onslaught. The MoveOn.org Voter Fund was going on the air Thursday in 17 of the states.

 

Bush-Cheney advisers said the ads are meant to show the country is safer and stronger because of Bush's approach following the terrorist attacks, and to make the case that his economic policies have helped move the nation from a recession toward recovery.

 

"We thought it important to start with a setting the table of where the country's been over the last three years," said Matthew Dowd, the campaign's chief strategist.

 

The campaign had said it would not use Sept. 11, 2001, for political reasons, yet footage from the aftermath of the terrorists attacks is shown in the ads.

 

Campaign manager Ken Mehlman said the day was a defining moment that led to Bush's accomplishments, including passage of the Patriot Act and the war in Afghanistan (news - web sites) that eliminated the Taliban rule. "These are important parts of this administration's record," he said.

 

Carrying the slogan — "Steady leadership in times of change" — the ads are warm and soothing, not unlike those done for Bush in 2000. Maverick Media, headed by Bush media adviser Mark McKinnon, produced the spots as in 2000.

 

In a 60-second ad, the Bushes sit together in the White House and talk about what the nation needs in a president. "The strength, the focus, the characteristics that these times demand," Laura Bush says. Interspersed are clips of people doing everyday things, and scenes of Bush.

 

A 30-second ad that uses mostly text and also was filmed in Spanish marks major milestones in the nation's recent history, starting with Bush's inauguration in January 2001 and moving through images of scrolling stock market numbers, an Internet address, World Trade Center wreckage and firefighters carrying a casket.

 

The third ad, also at 30 seconds, sandwiches images of Bush around portraits of people of mixed ages and races as it focuses on values of "freedom, faith, families and sacrifice." An announcer tells how "the last few years have tested America in many ways" but how "America rose to the challenge" with Bush at the helm.

[Guest Cerebus]

So Bush can not mention 9/11 in his ads or he's exploiting it?

[Highland 0]

I'm tempted to call out Bush for exploiting the 9/11 attacks, but the event and aftermath did define his presidency and are thus very important.

[Guest Smell the ratings!!!]

I am completly suprised by this.

 

really.

 

oh my, I'm having a stroke. From the shock, most likely.

[snuffbox 0]

I am completly suprised by this.

 

really.

 

oh my, I'm having a stroke. From the shock, most likely.

Yeah, definitly not shocking.... Just really really sickening.

[Guest MikeSC]

I am completly suprised by this.

 

really.

 

oh my, I'm having a stroke. From the shock, most likely.

Yeah, definitly not shocking.... Just really really sickening.

So, uh, Bush can POINT directly to a major instance of leadership he had --- but that's exploiting?

 

That makes as much sense as confusing a question about a voting record for an attack on one's patriotism or military service.

-=Mike

[Guest Smell the ratings!!!]

i was just saying this doesn't really file under "suprise"

 

I mean what else is there to campaign on? Gay weddings?

[Jobber of the Week 0]

So, uh, Bush can POINT directly to a major instance of leadership he had --- but that's exploiting?

 

That makes as much sense as confusing a question about a voting record for an attack on one's patriotism or military service.

-=Mike

Mike, I think if you look at the situation clearly you'll come to a similar opinion here:

 

I have no problem with the ads mentioning the attacks, talking about the war on terror, using a picture of Osama, whatever. I also have no problem with 9/11 footage appearing on TV. I've even gone as far as to agree with people who have said that seeing it on TV more often would keep events in perspective for the general population.

 

But I think it is in poor taste and form to use media of a national tragedy and a man's funeral for political purposes.

[kkktookmybabyaway 0]

Next thing you know John Kerry will start touting his record in Viet...

 

Ah, forget it...

[Guest Agent of Oblivion]

He's not bullshitting when he mentions Faith..guy has increased govt. spending to religious organizations by 40%.

[Guest Cerebus]

KKK was being sarcastic but he has a point. Where is the line between "mentioning" and "exploiting"? Some would say Kerry has gone so far past the line when it comes to Vietnam that he can't even see it anymore.

[Guest Razor Roman]

Has anyone here actually seen the ad?

 

They show a 1/4 second blurry shot of the flag flying at ground zero as an example of how "America has been tested in ways it's never been tested before"

 

So what?

 

John Kerry could use the same clip in his ads too. "New challenges need new leadership" or some other such nonsense.

 

Oh, they also show 2 firemen, not at ground zero or anything for half a second. Because of course, John Kerry never shows up to his rallys with a bunch of guys from the firefighter's union or anything.

 

See the ad for yourself.

 

http://www.georgewbush.com/tvads/

 

It's the "Tested" ad.

[Guest hunger4unger]

I'm not sure that I can agree that Bush is exploiting 9/11.

 

The events of 9/11 are very much a part of what has happened during Bush's presidency and although I disagree with a LOT of Bush's subsequent misadventures, most notably Iraq, Bush did prove to be a strong and supportive leader following 9/11.

 

9/11 and the subsequent war on terror are important to Americans so really I see no problem with Bush using 9/11 in his ad (s).

 

Bush DOES have to be careful if he is going to be playing the 9/11 card though - it can easily backfire. Still no Bin Laden and not one suspected member of Al Queda has been brought to justice as far as I am aware.

[Guest Razor Roman]

Still no Bin Laden and not one suspected member of Al Queda has been brought to justice as far as I am aware.

The found the number 2 guy in an apartment in Pakistan - remember the fat hairy guy looking all messed up because they got him in the middle of the night?

[Guest hunger4unger]

Ah yes I remember that. I've also remembered that there is one of them in jail in Germany but he's just been granted an appeal!

[Guest Cerebus]

I'm not sure that I can agree that Bush is exploiting 9/11.

 

The events of 9/11 are very much a part of what has happened during Bush's presidency and although I disagree with a LOT of Bush's subsequent misadventures, most notably Iraq, Bush did prove to be a strong and supportive leader following 9/11.

 

9/11 and the subsequent war on terror are important to Americans so really I see no problem with Bush using 9/11 in his ad (s).

 

Bush DOES have to be careful if he is going to be playing the 9/11 card though - it can easily backfire. Still no Bin Laden and not one suspected member of Al Queda has been brought to justice as far as I am aware.

A good analysis. I have to admit, I'm surprised.

[Ripper 0]

He's not bullshitting when he mentions Faith..guy has increased govt. spending to religious organizations by 40%.

But only if you are Christian relegious organizations, because all of the others suck aparently.

 

And he wants MORE money to go to relegious organizations...who aren't really strapped for cash.

[Guest Agent of Oblivion]

..and are conveniently making their cut while financing housing projects and soup kitchens that could probably be funded cheaper just via govt. grant programs, while avoiding the whole church scheme.

[Guest thebigjig]

I criticize both guys on exploitation... Bush exploiting 9/11 (yes, yes he is) is just as sick as Kerry exploiting Vietnam

 

Bush is obviously exploiting it because this is his single campaign issue... he can't run on jobs, he cant run on the economy, he cant run on the mind numbing deficit, but he can run on the war on terror by beating it into our heads at every turn... THIS is his issue... and he's going to remind us everywhere we look, as I've said earlier... to make weak minded morons believe that without him, terrorists are going to take over the country and because he's the daddy figure, he'll protect us

 

Remember, this is Bush's message: terror, terror, terror, terror, terror, terror, terror, 9/11, 9/11, 9/11, 9/11, 9/11, patriot patriot patriot patriot patriot, freedom freedom freedom freedom

 

And he'll probably win on it too... scare tactics, and ATM Fees issues (franken reference) win elections

[Red Baron 0]

Remember, this is Bush's message: terror, terror, terror, terror, terror, terror, terror, 9/11, 9/11, 9/11, 9/11, 9/11, patriot patriot patriot patriot patriot, freedom freedom freedom freedom

 

Actually its "Terrorist, terrorist, terrorist, 9/11, 9/11, God Bless America"

 

Both candidates are on the verge or will exploit 9/11, War, whatever, because neither of them can really convince most of the American people who are going to vote on the other topics.

 

Stick to one topic and beat it senseless, and CNN will buy it.

[Guest Cerebus]

Well if he keeps at it those "weak minded morons" might turn on them since they don't take too kindly to people who piss off firefighters and 9/11 victim's family organizations.

[BUTT 0]

Has anyone here actually seen the ad?

 

They show a 1/4 second blurry shot of the flag flying at ground zero as an example of how "America has been tested in ways it's never been tested before"

 

So what?

 

John Kerry could use the same clip in his ads too. "New challenges need new leadership" or some other such nonsense.

 

Oh, they also show 2 firemen, not at ground zero or anything for half a second. Because of course, John Kerry never shows up to his rallys with a bunch of guys from the firefighter's union or anything.

 

See the ad for yourself.

 

http://www.georgewbush.com/tvads/

 

It's the "Tested" ad.

Actually, it's the "Safer, Stronger" which I'm guessing is what is attracting the controversy.

[snuffbox 0]

Well if he keeps at it those "weak minded morons" might turn on them since they don't take too kindly to people who piss off firefighters and 9/11 victim's family organizations.

I guess Im not alone in being utterly sickened by Bush & Co's usage of 9-11 for political benefit.

[Guest Cerebus]

I don't necessarily agree with people in the article (and I was going to school in Manhattan when the attacks hit) but if Bush wants to stay out of even having the appearance of exploitation he better change his attitude fast.

[snuffbox 0]

I don't necessarily agree with people in the article (and I was going to school in Manhattan when the attacks hit) but if Bush wants to stay out of even having the appearance of exploitation he better change his attitude fast.

I already know you dont think Bush would exploit anyone or anything...

 

Im aggreeing with the firefighters, victims, families, etc.

 

This is just so ill to me. And comparing it to Kerry serving in combat is more sad Bush defense reaching. Sad, sick, and truly deplorable.

 

3000+ innocent lives lost for a Patriot Act, money war, and a man's political campaign. Indefensible no matter how hard the right may spin it.

 

I sincerely hope we as Americans can try to remember those people as more than this...as something beautiful and human and not as a campaign tool.

[Jobber of the Week 0]

Bush is obviously exploiting it because this is his single campaign issue... he can't run on jobs, he cant run on the economy, he cant run on the mind numbing deficit, but he can run on the war on terror by beating it into our heads at every turn... THIS is his issue

Bada bing!

 

And it's not like he didn't have his chances. He could have taken a solid lead with his State of the Union speech, but the only thing that got noticed from that was a warning about steroid use. The NASA/Mars thing was underwhelming and his "Meet The Press" interview offered nothing except that he's sure he fulfilled all his National Guard duties.

 

The gay marriage thing nearly backfired with gay marriage detractors shying away from such an extreme move as a constitutional amendment.

 

He needs traction, and wrapping himself in 9/11 Americana and over-the-top jingoism is simply what's there.

 

USA! USA! USA!

 

[Art Sandusky 0]

He could try and polarize the nation with the gay marriage issue, but I don't think it'd be as divisive as they'd hope for.

 

That "Americana" picture is awesome, JOTW. Hogan MAKES it.

[Guest Cerebus]

I don't necessarily agree with people in the article (and I was going to school in Manhattan when the attacks hit) but if Bush wants to stay out of even having the appearance of exploitation he better change his attitude fast.

I already know you dont think Bush would exploit anyone or anything...

Oh really you know me now? I've seen the ad, but because I don't agree with what the firefigher's UNION HEAD (who just so happened to endorse Kerry) and SOME victims family said I guess that makes me nothing but an empty headed political tool of W right? Don't you dare generalize about me fucktard. In fact feel free to click on "all posts by this user" and see where I shamelessly lick Bush's arse and then come back to me (no, anytime I disagree with you does not necessarily count).

[Styles 0]

I don't see the problem. Bush's leadership in the aftermath has defined his presidency so reusing the images of 9/11 reminds the viewer how important this election is.

Also, I don't get it when some try to say Bush is using "scare tactics" to scare the American people. Like he's just making up or even exagerating the threats mouting against us. How many more buildings need to be hit before people "get it" again? It's like shame on Bush for making people believe there are terrorists organizations plotting everyday against America and that national security and being tough against our enemies is actually an important issue! The President is just trying to scare us! Everything is fine...

[Guest JMA]

USA! USA! USA!

 

Now THAT'S a sig worthy picture.