Dissecting the new Bush ads - (Chris Matthews actually likes the ads - Shock and Awe time ;-)

MSNBC ^ | 3/4/04

[areafiftyone]

The first of President Bush's ads have been released, and it’s an important day in the Battle for the White house, according to MSNBC’s Chris Matthews. “We‘re beginning to see how President Bush and his experts plan to get him re-elected this November. ”

Chris Matthews talked to political strategists about the political ads. They studied them frame-by-frame, critiqued the quality and the messaging, and dissected what this means in the battle for the White House. Read their reactions to the three ads:

BOB GARDNER, REPUBLICAN MEDIA CONSULTANT WHO MADE ADS FOR GEORGE H. BUSH, BOB DOLE, AND GERALD FORD: This is great stuff. You‘ve had nine people beating up Pres. Bush for months, and what I‘m glad to see is that he came back positive. He didn‘t come back with just an anti-Kerry or an anti-Democrat message. I think it puts him above the fray. It makes him presidential. I think it‘s going to improve his numbers.

CHRIS MATTHEWS, HOST, ‘HARDBALL’: It reminds me of one of those brilliant G.E. ads you see on Sunday morning, especially, maybe the one where the geeky guy meets the beautiful model from Latin America. Only in this case, the president meets Laura Bush. It looks like Laura Bush was put up there as the running mate.

STEVE MCMAHON, FORMER DEAN STRATEGIST, AND CREATOR OF DEAN'S ADS: She did look great, and I think the President actually might be better off if she were the running mate, rather than the running mate he has. They were beautiful ads. They were well done.

[MJY1288]

Has the cabal of losers over at DU declared a Jihad against Chrissy Matthews yet?

I'm sure they're calling him a right wing wacko by now :-)

[cinFLA]

Has the cabal of losers over at DU declared a Jihad against Chrissy Matthews yet?

We've got our own set of loser Bush-bashers on FR that the DU crowd props up.

[cinFLA]

I know we usually refrain from posting from DU but since this is from the ADMIN and mentions FR ...

"Now that we have a nominee, many people have been wondering what it means for Democratic Underground. The short answer is: We don't really know yet. Since last spring, we have had a rule on the books indicating that we would support the nominee, no matter who it was. There has been a lot of talk about the possibility of a "purge" of people who don't "get in line," but we have no intention of doing such a thing, nor would we want to. Thoughtful criticism of the nominee will be permitted, but we don't wish for DU to be a place where opponents of the Democratic nominee can post partisan attacks. Democratic Underground was created to be a safe haven where our members could get away from the drumbeat of constant attacks against us, our values, and our candidates. Now that we have a nominee, we do not want DU to become indistinguishable from Free Republic when it comes to bashing him, and we will do what we feel is appropriate to keep that from happening. We aren't going to make any immediate changes. Currently, we just want to wait a bit to see what sort of natural equilibrium develops on the message board before we institute any changes."

[dirtboy]

There has been a lot of talk about the possibility of a "purge" of people who don't "get in line," but we have no intention of doing such a thing, nor would we want to...Now that we have a nominee, we do not want DU to become indistinguishable from Free Republic when it comes to bashing him, and we will do what we feel is appropriate to keep that from happening.

So they're not going to purge ... unless they need to purge. I see they've mastered the Kerry-esque art of coming down on both sides of an issue.

[cinFLA]

So they're not going to purge ... unless they need to purge. I see they've mastered the Kerry-esque art of coming down on both sides of an issue.

I just saw Bush's speech. He says "Kerry has been in DC long enough to have taken both sides of just about every issue."

[dirtboy]

I just saw Bush's speech. He says "Kerry has been in DC long enough to have taken both sides of just about every issue."

Hehehe. Let's just call him Flipper and use the song from that show as his campaign theme (with a few lyrical changes, of course).

[areafiftyone]

No yet. They haven't posted this yet. They are very particular about what they post. If it's in Bush's favor they tend to ignore the article and not post it. Only the brave souls dare to post pro-bush articles and then they get blasted to kingdom come!

[CaptainK]

I always take my temperature when I agree with Matthews.

[TOUGH STOUGH]

Actually, he is more like schmiegel from Lord of the Rings.
I bet registered could do something really funny and effective based on that idea!

[cricket]

Just heard that the firefighters are upset with a Bush ad that show them at Ground Zero - this ad is being criticised for terrible taste, etc.

What surprises me is that there are 'Firefighters' supporting John Kerry - what is happening here?

As for the ad, I have not seen it - but am wondering why they couldn't they have just used a 'towers' backdrop; instead of involving any group of people. . .

This campaign is going to be too long and too painful~!

[dfwgator]

I see they've mastered the Kerry-esque art of coming down on both sides of an issue.

This is why Senators make terrible Presidential candidates, their record is out there for all to see.

[CFC__VRWC]

Currently, we just want to wait a bit to see what sort of natural equilibrium develops on the message board before we institute any changes."

It looks like they're going to see which way the political wind starts blowing before they start not purging. Another Kerry-like move.

Funny that theyseem to be copying his moves, since this isn't exactly a ringing endorsement of Jean Luc Cheri, is it?

[Cicero]

Not talking about 9/11 is like the Jews saying "We will never remember."

The press would love to forget about 9/11 and move on. But we will never forget. Especially we will not forget when our enemies are still out there trying to do it again.

[Dr Snide]

remember to distinguish betweeen real firefighters and the unions that "represent" them.

[Coop]

I always take my temperature when I agree with Matthews.

You might want to sit down, then, because Alan Colmes liked the "9/11 furor" ad, too. :-)

[NYCVirago]

It looks like this article was written before today's smear campaign against the ads. And it just goes to show how a few reporters can find outrage when there is none.

[jmstein7]

BUMP!

[whereasandsoforth]

It's just another lie. No one was "outraged" by the ads, so "outrage" has to be created. Dummies can't be honest about anything, so why think they're honest about their emotions?

[CaptainK]

I just went outside to bay at the moon.

[Big Horn]

One firefighter does not speak for all firefighters. Kerry knows that Bush is quite popular with the FF so he has tried to neutralize it.

[Jorge]

Not talking about 9/11 is like the Jews saying "We will never remember."

Not to mention that one of the biggest signs hanging on the WTC ruins right after 9-11 said "NEVER FORGET".

The Dems and libs would love us to forget, because they know most Americans were thankful Bush was in the White House post 9-11.

What's great is that the Dems and liberal media protesting the Bush ads are reminding us all that terrorism and national security are major issues in this election. And Bush wins them hands down.

[normy]

When you see the ad you will see how ridiculous the uproar is. Hume showed it and I was laughing it was so tame. I think you can go to georgebush.com and see the ads.

[eddie willers]

What surprises me is that there are 'Firefighters' supporting John Kerry - what is happening here?

No....Firefighter's UNION bosses.
The guys on the front wouldn't piss on Kerry if he was on fire.

[Howlin]

To be precise, THIS FIREFIGHTER is upset:

http://gallery.johnkerry.com/gallery/iaff/aau

[shhrubbery!]

Heh, I really enjoyed watching Matthews take apart that Monica Gabrielle -- a professional victim with a Bush-bashing agenda.

Funniest of all was when he questioned her about whom she voted for in 2000 -- and she said "I honestly can't remember" !

[Crapgame]

Has the IAFF ever endorsed a Republican? I think that they are union members first and firefighters second. Out West here they would cut their grandmother's throats in order to vote democrat. As a cop we always seem to have a debate, in fact we're undergoing one now and needless to say, I am pushing for the President. I've heard that PORAC (Peace Officers Research Association of California) wants to endorse Bush. I sincerely hope thats true but there are committed union type leaders who are against it.

Cops are torn between liking the democrat positions on unions and the Republican positions on gun control and law enforcement. This is never a question for me, I'd sooner dig ditches for a living than vote for a democrat. By the way, the media and the Administration seem to feel that my State of Nevada is going to be a battleground this year. I don't think so. I think Bush wins Nevada handily. Unemployment here is very low and support for the War is high. Maybe different down in Vegas but if Clark county votes for Kerry, it'll be the only Nevada county to do so.

[cricket]

"No....Firefighter's UNION bosses. The guys on the front wouldn't piss on Kerry if he was on fire."

Thanks - that exlains it. . .

[Brimack34]

Alan Colmbs liked it also.. For now!!!!

[GretchenEE]

It looks like Laura Bush was put up there as the running mate.

Hehe ... in a sense, she is more of a running mate than the twoferone hillary ever could be.

How bad a man can George W. Bush BE when he has Laura AND Dick Cheney flanking him?

It speaks volumes loudly about George W's heart to keep America safe and strong and protected against the future after he and Cheney leave office, that he is keeping Cheney as Veep. He's not looking to sell America its next GOP president by his choice of a Vice President; he's looking to have all the wisdom and experience of Dick Cheney's years to lean on for the sake of this country because he knows WE need Cheney counseling the president.

[GretchenEE]

When you see the ad you will see how ridiculous the uproar is.

Something like a reprise of Gibson's movie being labeled "anti-Semitic"?

[Coop]

As for the ad, I have not seen it - but am wondering why they couldn't they have just used a 'towers' backdrop; instead of involving any group of people. . .

Don't even go there. Do not give these whiny, angry, hypocritical liberals the slightest hint of legitimacy.

The ones whining now had absolutely no problem politicizing Op. Iraqi Freedom, making life for our troops even more difficult and dangerous - undoubtedly costing even more American lives!

But a commercial - that's what they get upset about. I just hope nobody has the gall to make this complaint within earshot of me. It's been all I can do just to type this without using profanity.

[upcountry miss]

What's with Chris anyway? For months his unrelenting attacks agsinst Bush about the war have infuriated me to the point that I tune in at the beginning of his Hardball just to see if he is having anyone on that will be giving him a hard time. Now, since Kerry seems to be the nominee, I sense a tiny crack in the armor.

First, Tuesday, he was full of praise for the Bush ads and arguing against the Dem criticism, then last night, he had a real good lady defending the WTC ad, followed by a Move on.org guy whom he lambasted for their ad. Could Chris be having doubts about Kerry?

[cricket]

"Do not give these whiny, angry, hypocritical liberals the slightest hint of legitimacy. "

No way. . .though must admit my first tired thought was why do we make it so easy for them.

However - have seen it and think it is quite beautiful. It is clear what the Dems problem is; this message not only reminds us what a great leader George Bush proved to be; but it reminds America how thankful the Country was, that we did not have a Democrat sitting in the White House.

Also clear, they are trying to set a stage for debate where George Bush will invite vicious attacks should he go to September 11 during this campaign;.

. . .because the Demrats were casualties that day as well; and they still are.

[cricket]

Thanks for link/pict. . .Feels like I am looking at treasonous Firefighters. Disgusting.

[Coop]

I'd been meaning to contribute to the Bush/Cheney re-election campaign and hadn't gotten around to it. Well, these hypocritical whiners just motivated me to make a contribution via the Bush '04 website. A modest contribution, no doubt, but my sincere way of saying "Great job on the ads, and keep 'em coming!"

[cricket]

"A modest contribution, no doubt, but my sincere way of saying "Great job on the ads, and keep 'em coming!"

A great way to say 'thanks'!

Was not familiar with Bush 04 site and when I tried, got only a web page The address for the official homepage is http://www.georgewbush.com; I am assuming that is where you went{?}; should others like to follow :^)

. . .and there is an amazing number of negative hits to GW one can wade through on Yahoo; just mentioning his name. Unbelieveable.