Dem Furor Over GOP Bid To Sell 9/11 Pix of Bush

New York Daily News ^ | 5/15/02 | KENNETH R. BAZINET

[kattracks]

WASHINGTON

A partisan political war erupted last night after Republicans revealed plans to raise campaign cash by charging $150 for photos of President Bush from the day of the Sept. 11 terror attacks.

As part of last night's record-setting $30 million fund-raising bonanza in Washington, Republicans began taking orders for copies of a photo of Bush talking to Vice President Cheney as Air Force One flew to a military base hours after the terror attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon.

Democrats and campaign finance advocates immediately called the sale of the photo "blood money" and "incredibly disrespectful to the families" of the victims of 9/11.

"For the Republican Party to use this event and all the related sense of pain for financial gain is possibly one of the most morally reprehensible political tactics I have ever seen," said Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-Manhattan).

The charge that the sale of photo amounted to "blood money" irked the White House.

"Blood money? And how is that blood money?" said a stunned Ari Fleischer. "I'm hard-pressed to see how that characterization can be anything even closely resembling anything accurate or fair."

Set of Shots

The photo — part of a three-picture package that includes pictures from Bush's inauguration and this year's State of the Union address — was shot by a government-paid photographer.

It was distributed on the Reuters wire service and the Corbis photo agency. The GOP bought it from Corbis and used it with the blessing of the White House.

Campaign reformers compared it with then-President Bill Clinton's 1996 fund-raising scandal in which Democrats sold a night's stay in the Lincoln Bedroom for $100,000.

"It's in the same realm as the Lincoln Bedroom scandal. They're using an image aboard Air Force One on one of the most tragic days in American history to raise money for the Republican Party," said Steven Weiss of the nonpartisan Center for Responsive Politics.

Clinton also took photos with fat-cat supporters as a fund-raising tactic.

Last year, the GOP sold access to Cheney and the vice president's residence at the same annual fund-raising gala.

Even former Vice President Al Gore, who had to fight accusations he attended an illegal fund-raiser at a Buddhist temple while in office, said he "cannot imagine that the families of those who lost their lives on Sept. 11 condone this."

"While most pictures are worth a thousand words, a photo that seeks to capitalize on one of the most tragic moments in our nation's history is worth only one — disgraceful," Gore said.

[kattracks]

I guess the DemocRATS think it's only ok to indulge in illegal methods to raise campaign funds, rather than offer a picture of the President being presidential.

[kattracks]

President Bush talks to Vice President Cheney on Air Force One hours after the attacks on the Trade Center and Pentagon.

I don't see anything in this picture regarding the WTC or the Pentagon.

[Lib-Lickers 2]

the democrats are hypocritical scum,, plain and simple,, truly desperate and pathetic,,

[backhoe]

Recall those thrilling days of yesteryear when the White House was a Motel 6?

FOB and FOFOB... the clinton friend files

[kattracks]

Thanks again, backhoe. You are amazing!

[backhoe]

Thanks, I still do a slow burn when I see Markie Post and Linda Bloodworth-Thomas jumping on that bed.

Trailer-park trash goes to Washington...

[evad]

..is possibly one of the most morally reprehensible political tactics I have ever seen," said Rep. Jerrold Nadler

When it comes to reprehensible acts, Jabba would know. He's done them all.

If this upsets the RATs, it must be a good thing. (Logic 101)

[chiefqc]

I can't understand how these Dumb-O-Crats can sleep at night.

The 8 years that this great nation had to suffer through while willie, the slime, klinton was in office there was not a peep out of these Dumb-O-Creeps.

He and his scummy wife (sic) knew no limits to the morally corupt actions that they performed. Dumb-O-Creeps response, NOTHING

Lying by willie to the American public on T.V., Dumb-O-Creeps response, NOTHING

Anyway you get the idea, 8 years, Dumb-O-Creeps response to all the morally corupt actions, response, NOTHING

If his no morals scummy wife (sic) gets elected, it won't be a house of bimbos it will be a house of lesbos.

[chainsaw]

If the democrats could raise 30 million selling a photo like this they would do it in a nanosecond.

[jokemoke]

I love it when the DemocRATS are crying!!!!

[chemicalman]

I have no problem with selling photos.

I do have a problem with the liberals accepting campaign money from communist countries and having them treat the White House like it's a motel on Airline Hwy.

[rmgatto]

This sound and fury over nothing will just serve as free publicity for the RNC, which should sell many thousands more thanks to the indignant opposition.

Remember that photo of Clinton with his hand up some flight attendant's dress on his campaign plane? Now THAT'S a picture we can all be proud of.

The reaction to this is incongruous. The picture looks like something that would be in a textbook, dignified and respectful. Have we heard from any of the real victims about it? Or will it just fade away?

[Waco]

Where's Cheney? I don't see him. Who actually knows who he was talking to???? Monica! You there? The Dems sucked this one up, for sure.

[Stallone]

Let's see if we can persuade Powell to stay the course and not 'back away' from selling this photograph.

The Bush administration needs to vigorously defend the use of this historical photograph and contrast it with the sleaze and corruption of the Clinton/Gore era.

Their attention to it, framed with competent and witty ridicule by the GOP, would be a plus.

[PogySailor]

Good grief! The party of Lincoln bedroom and White House coffe fundraisers, pardons for sale and selling secrets to the CHICOM's sure knows how to pick their issues.

[edsheppa]

The photo — ... — was shot by a government-paid photographer.

That's about the only thing I see that one could conceivably object to. Easy to fix however - let the Dems sell these pictures too.

[brat]

They really are grabbing at straws, aren't they? LOL This accusation is so lame, I'm amazed they can deliver it with a straight face.

[sleavelessinseattle]

I am so revolted by the media play this molehill is getting in the Seattle Area!!! Freepers, we have GOT to take back the broadcast news from the liberals...The press is a Democrat propaganda machine, and that is ALL they do... Boycotts-Advertiser Letter Writing campaigns, more can be done....We've got to get more conservative(accurate) coverage to John Q public, or this country is really going to go down the drain that its circling...

[jeremiah]

Did you see the amounts of fines levied by the FEC from 98 to the present? It was something in the neighborhood of $150,000, with a budget of app $53 Million. That's bang for the buck

[jeremiah]

Did anyone sell photos of FDR making his "only thing to fear, is fear itself" speech, or his "day of infamy"? If they were the same I apologize, but Demoncrats will sell their mommy if they could find her