The battle lines are being drawn.

[abcdan]

I think it's great that 9/11 families, firefighters, etc. hit back hard the first time Bush used 9/11 (which I imagine will be the centerpiece of his campaign). Now anytime his campaign uses 9/11 it will be scrutinized and criticized publicly and loudly. The Bush campaign will have to think twice before their next 9/11 exploitation. This ad is tame compared to what I imagine they're capable of. The further Bush has to distance himself from 9/11 (his supposed strength) and the more focus that will be directed at everything else, the better.

[wryter2000]

1. Yup, yup, yup

The reaction to this horrible ad is the best thing I've seen since the asswipe got himself appointed. It led off the national news last night, not that Bush was showing the ad, but that people were offended by it.

A year or two ago, I would have imagined the story would have read something like, "President Bush kicked off his re-election campaign today with a television commercial that shows him as a strong leader against terrorism." Then, there would have been a discussion of the ad and a brief mention that a few of the victims' families were upset.

Instead, what we got was "9/11 families and firefighters took offense at President Bush's television commerical today." Followed by a few clips from the ad, several interviews from people who were offended, and finally an a self-serving little bleat from Karen Hughes that made her look insensitive at best.

What a difference...

[wryter2000]

2. Welcome to DU, btw

:hi:

[Raster]

3. i completely agree...that's why each every time they try to profit...

...off of 9/11 we need to do ANYTHING and EVERYTHING to throw it right back in their faces.

I personally believe that members of the $hrubco administration had a VERY, VERY good idea that some type of catastrophic terrorist incident was imminent and did NOTHING to avert it. I'm sorry, the pnac fucks basically said that something like 9/11 was the perfect springboard to bring the rest of their hideous agenda to fruition, and VOILA, it happens. Coincidence...I think not. The blood of 3,000 is on this administration's hands. For them to co-opt anything except blame for 9/11 is beyond shameful.

[Serial Mom]

4. odd too . .

he is using images to detail what has happened to the US in the past three years, but nothing on what he did about it, nothing on what he is doing, and nothing about what he plans on doing!

And he's not addressing any of the other concerns of the citizens (war, jobs, health, environment).

And Karen Hughes pissed me off yesterday when she mentioned that their ads will show what has united us over the past 3 years, not the "negative" ads of the Dems! The Dems aren't negative, just truthful, and if they perceive it as negative, then maybe the TRUTH HURTS.

[historian]

5. he doesnt have anything left

If he goes after kerry due to his opposition to vietnam kerry can claim, as he has done once, that he was there, saw the truth and earned the right to protest (unlike others we know)
He cant use 9/11 for fear of pissing off (even more) the families and firefighters.
Cant use his tax cut and job creation bullshit cause the results are now coming in.
Cant use his silly teenage strut on carrier with mission accomplished banner.
Will try to use same sex marriage as wedge, but kerry will show that is really an assault on the constitution.
Cannot use the supreme courts decision to hand him the presidency as a means of legitimizing himself, as the stench over Scalia is overwhelmning.
What does he have left? Guns! But even that is in jeopardy after some repukes changed their vote when they received an email from the nra threatening their chances of re election. I hope that even the most thick headed freeper can now see that his voice means nothing.
Hollywood violence? Aaahhhnnnold Schwarz was the worst one - making money by portraying violence and killing as if it were good fun - bush is guilty by association.
Many southern blacks are pissed becuase of his cynical appearance at martin luthers grave site so he cant yap about his respect for freedom and freedom martyrs.
Cant (but will) use Afghanistan and Iraq - we are still there dying on a daily basis and our soldiers being maimed and wounded by the hundreds. Some victory.
Cant tell us he is proud of our boys while he cuts vets benefits and funding.
Cant yap about education (which he doesnt have and i dont care how many degrees he holds) and no child left behind bullshit because that is 9 billion underfunded.
Cant appeal to environmentalists.
cant appeal to gay community of either sex - he is loathed by both sides.
All he can really do is steal the election again but this time i think there will be some serious riots to contend with.

[efhmc]

6. There are still those who think he is a brave and steadfast leader. Of

course, they also believe in the Easter bunny.

[Kolesar]

7. I see the makings of several great letters-to-the-editor in this thread

Write to your newspaper NOW, while the story is topical. Express your outrage.