When I first heard about the plans from the Bush Admin to run a campaign add using symbols of 9-11, I was not surprised, but I was not sure if I found it offensive.

Frankly, IMO, one of the only bright spots on this peresidents record was how he handled the first few weeks after 9/11- and in as much as that is pertinent to his campaign, he should be able to point out his performance.

an ounce of non hyperbole and even handedness goes a long way in toning down the inflated rhetoric, thanks.

However, that certain modicum of forbearance was shattered when I saw the add.

What I saw is that he uses the symbols and imagery as a pale 'prop', a 'gimmik' as it were.

You lost me, pictures speak a thousand words, in a 10 second political ad, they go a lot farther for the money.

It would be one thing to state "I was a good leader after 9/11, and (appeared to) work well under pressure"- there are a million ways of doing that without resorting to this pornography of suffering. But it is quite another to use such a massive tragedy as a movie prop. Thats what this add does.

For the numerous conservatives here on the zone who are ideologically inclined not to find fault with a Bush campaign add: ask yourself- how would you react if Kerry used the exact same imagery in his adds? Can you even envision a way Kerry could use those images without you finding cause for fury? (and: please don't kid yourselves).

Let me put it to you this way, I thought Bush using Sept 11th was like Kerry using vietnam, I think Bush woudl be endanger of refering too it too much and sounding like a broken record ala Kerry saying "I was in 'Vietnam". Likewise I could imagine Kerry using Vietnam footage to his advantage, showing fighting or people in tragic situations, being carried away on strechers etc. . . In fact I expect it at some point in the campaign. I would think its no differnt. Some people would complain they were offended, that they were in vietnam and they don't like Kerry using their suffereing to his advantage etc. . . Though honestly I think Kerry has every right to and would not be offended.

My personal opinion on the ad itself is that it is not what is needed. It was an explanation for the current economic times. Saying that there was the stock bubble busting, and then Sept 11th harming our economy even further amoung other things. (some of our brightest economic minds were in the WTC) I didn't like it because it was just saying "hey its not my fault" and acknowleging his oponents accusations instead of attacking back at Kerrys voting record, or focusing entirely on the recovery. Which is a better use of his money.

Regards,
Justin Kelly

This add is low-brow offensive posturing. The politics of the scarecrow.