Disgusting ad condmened by Bush, much of Senate

CNN:

A MoveOn.org political advertisement that criticized the top U.S. commander in Iraq was "disgusting," President Bush said Thursday, accusing Democrats of being afraid to criticize the anti-war group.

Bush told reporters at a White House news conference that MoveOn.org's ad in The New York Times about Gen. David Petraeus was a "sorry deal." The September 10 full-page ad was titled "General Petraeus or General Betray Us?"

"I felt like the ad was an attack, not only on Gen. Petraeus, but on the U.S. military," Bush said. "And I was disappointed that not more leaders in the Democratic Party spoke out strongly against that kind of ad."

Bush said that "most Democrats are afraid of irritating a left-wing group like MoveOn.org" and they "are more afraid of irritating them than they are of irritating the United States military." Video Watch Bush condemn the MoveOn.org ad »

He said, "It's one thing to attack me. It's another thing to attack somebody like Gen. Petraeus."

...

A Senate GOP amendment to repudiate the MoveOn.org ad passed Thursday 72-25 as Republicans tried to force Democrats to distance themselves, on the record, from the controversy.

...

Harry Reid had actually refused to bring the Cornyn amendment up for a vote last week, but apparently decided that better get on the record after the President's remarks. The MoveOn response to the President was typically childish. You can read it on the CNN link.

The ad has probably energized the GOP base more than the Democrats who are still largely on the defensive about the ad. I think Reid needed to give Cornyn a vote on his amendment in hopes of changing the subject. There was an attempt by the liberals to equate ads run against Democrat candidates to the smearing of an army commander, but it did not get enough votes.

Democrats have this fundamental problem where criticism of policy differences are seen as a smear in Republican ads. They also still do not understand the anger toward Kerry for his smear of the military in the 70s. They are close to making the same blunder again.

Comments

  1. Unknown2:28 PM

    Actually, the MoveOn response was accurate, intelligent, and articulate. Petraeus has become a tool for the Bush administration now, stating almost verbatim what Bush has been saying, which is basically wrong. The MoveOn ad was obnoxious, but their point is a good one. All of my friends and relatives who are currently serving in Iraq agree completely with MoveOn, and resent the Senate for passing a resolution against free speech.

    ReplyDelete

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