Kerry Rolls out Biographical Ads (Campaign Aides Says 19-State Ad Buy Unprecedented)

cbs.marketwatch ^ | 5/3/04 | CBS.com

[NYC Republican]

Democrat John Kerry on Monday rolled out a pair of new television ads as part of a $25 million, 19-state advertising buy that campaign officials say is unprecedented in size and scope for a presidential challenger.

The biographical spots heavily emphasize the Massachusetts senator's naval service in Vietnam. They come amidst grumbling from some fellow Democrats that Kerry's campaign has failed to counter weeks of attacks on his record by President Bush's campaign advertisements, Vice President Dick Cheney and other Republican officials.

The new, 60-second Kerry spots, which will run for at least three weeks, are part of a "wholly positive ad campaign based upon his record -- something President Bush cannot do," Kerry campaign manager Mary Beth Cahill said in a news conference.

In an ad entitled "Heart," Kerry's Vietnam crewmates Del Sandusky and Jim Rassman, a soldier who was pulled to safety by Kerry during a firefight, praised Kerry as a strong leader. "The decisions that he made saved our lives," Sandusky says.

The ad also features Kerry's daughter, Vanessa, and wife, Teresa, and ends with Kerry saying, "We're a country of optimists, we're the can-do people and we just need to believe in ourselves again."

The second ad, entitled "Lifetime," also features Sandusky and Rassman. A narrator notes that Kerry earned the Silver Star, Bronze Star and three purple hearts in Vietnam and highlights his 1993 vote for Bill Clinton's controversial budget plan, which is described in the ad as a "decisive vote that created 20 million new jobs."

The Kerry ads don't mention Bush and don't directly address charges in the Bush-Cheney ads that Kerry will attempt to broadly raise taxes and that his Senate record is weak on defense.

Kerry campaign officials dismissed notions that the Bush-Cheney ad barrage, estimated at around $60 million since March, has hurt the candidate.

Tad Devine, a Kerry media adviser, said the Bush campaign has made "serious strategic mistakes."

The Bush stance appears to presume that the incumbent could copy Bill Clinton's 1996 strategy of an aggressive spring advertising campaign that helped define challenger Bob Dole, who was low on funds after the GOP primary battle, Devine said.

Cahill noted that the ad buy, in addition to several key states viewed by strategists and pundits as key battlegrounds, also extends into the traditional GOP presidential strongholds of Colorado and Louisiana.

[NYC Republican]

Here's this scumbag's chance to re-introduce himself to America. I wonder what President Bush's team will do to counter it?

[dighton]

For all going mad with suspense,

The biographical spots heavily emphasize the Massachusetts senator's naval service in Vietnam.

[Rokke]

How in the world does the Kerry team think re-introducing Kerry as a Vietnam war "hero" is going to affect the electorate. That's about the only thing anyone knows about him. And if it hasn't swayed them by now it never will. But what the heck, if they want to blow lots of money on yesterday's news, more power to 'em.

[NYC Republican]

Excellent point Rokke

[VisualizeSmallerGovernment]

"We're a country of optimists, we're the can-do people and we just need to believe in ourselves again."

The sad thing is that there are so many people who do not believe in America unless there's a Democrat in the White House. Why can't you believe in yourself NOW, John?

[Ron in Acreage]

He actually brags about voting for Reagans tax cuts. Which he says created 20 million jobs. Without mentioning Reagan of course.

[antaresequity]

Its the only thing that is clear about Kerry. He can't possible run as himself in other areas...

The guy is in a no win untenable postion...

John Kerry:

I will Raise Taxes
I will Increase Spending more than Bush
I am for partial birth abortion
I am for the enviornment
I am for weak defense
I will call for stricter gun control
I will cede sovriegnty to the UN
I am for the little guy

The guy is going to flame out big

[KellyAdmirer]

He is spending how much to tell everyone yet again that he earned some medals in Vietnam? What is the guy smoking? It must be strong stuff.

[Bob]

The biographical spots heavily emphasize the Massachusetts senator's naval service in Vietnam.

Going by the clip that I saw, it looked more like he served in the infantry rather than the Navy.

[SpinyNorman]

Sure, get the bio out! It simply means that more people will understand what I mean when I say "three scratches and you are out!!" LOL!

[jackbill]

He actually brags about voting for Reagans tax cuts. Which he says created 20 million jobs. Without mentioning Reagan of course.

Carl Cameron, on Fox News Special Report with Brit Hume, showed a quote tonight from Kerry, that he made on the floor of the Senate. He said that he really didn't want to vote for it. He wanted spending cuts, and "investment" increases.

Is this guy for real?

[BushisTheMan]

The biographical spots heavily emphasize the Massachusetts senator's naval service in Vietnam.

Kerry served in Vietnam?

[dalebert]

I don't think the Bush team has to do anything to counteract these ads. Kerry is doing a fine job of doing himself in. I was very impressed with the turn coat Iraq vet that did the attack on Bush for Kerry. I wonder if Kerry is using any of his reinactment footage in his new ads.

[cajun-jack]

everybody knows he was a "hero" /sarcasm/ and also know he was hanoi jane's little sissy sub boy and disparaged and discredited everyone in nam...and there was 1 helluva lot of coonasses in nam!!!

[Integrityrocks]

"The biographical spots heavily emphasize the Massachusetts senator's naval service in Vietnam."

Ok... I just gotta say it....

Kerry was in Vietnam?

[Right_in_Virginia]

If there hadn't been a war in Vietnam...Kerry wouldn't have anything to offer.

[Jorge]

How in the world does the Kerry team think re-introducing Kerry as a Vietnam war "hero" is going to affect the electorate. That's about the only thing anyone knows about him.

Exactly.
A real waste of money.

[just me]

Kerry is a waste of space.

[Izzy Dunne]

The biographical spots heavily emphasize the Massachusetts senator's naval service in Vietnam.

Let's disregard the medals flap.
Let's disregard the ribbons flap.
Let's disregard the Purple Heart flap.
Let's disregard the idea that he begs his CO for a transfer.
Let's disregard the fact that he was released from active duty TWO WHOLE DAYS after making O-3 rank .click here
Let's disregard the fact that a bunch of his colleagues claim he is unfit.
Let's assume he served honorably and well, as he claims.

EVEN ASSUMING ALL THAT AWAY - HIS SERVICE WAS 30+ YEARS AGO!
What relevance does it have?

[gov_bean_ counter]

Complete waste of money, IMHO. The portrait of Kerry has been completed. Changing the frame isn't going to matter.

These commercials will stand in stark contrast to the letter declaring him unfit for service that has reportedly been signed by most of Kerry's COs and many more with whom he served.

BTW, CNN had an analysis of battleground states today. Kerry isn't getting it done in the states Gore won handily.