New Kerry Ad Sends Bush a Valentine’s Day message
Names Him Undisputed King of Special Interests
February 14, 2004 Washington, DC –
George Bush officially cranked up the Republican smear machine this week by choosing to make his first campaign ad a misleading attack against John Kerry. In fact, the ad was so misleading that Bush wouldn’t even appear in it to back up its claims.
In response to Bush’s misleading ad, the Kerry campaign today released a new ad entitled “More Than Anyone.” The ad – which will be emailed across the country -- will remind the American people that George Bush has taken more special interest money than anyone, ever.
Using data compiled by the Center for Responsive Politics, the ad outlines the huge contributions Bush has taken from big oil and gas companies, big banks and investment firms and even Enron, and reveals the favors he gave these powerful special interests in return. Given Bush’s record as the “King of Special Interests,” a Washington Post editorial today called Bush’s attack on Kerry a “brazen display of political chutzpah.”
“It’s the height of hypocrisy for George W. Bush – the undisputed king of special interests – to attack John Kerry on this issue,” said Stephanie Cutter. “Bush is trying to attack to distract voters from his record of three million jobs lost, 41 million uninsured Americans, and a nation less secure today than when he took office. Each and every day, Bush gives the American people yet another reason to doubt his credibility.”
The new Kerry ad will be emailed to over 300,000 Kerry supporters across the nation, who will then be asked to send to 10 friends to reach over 3 million Americans. By Monday, the ad is expected to reach well over 5 million people.
The ad shows an empty Oval Office and a long list of special interest Bush contributors with the question on the screen: “Who’s taken more special interest than anyone?” And unlike the Bush Internet ad, John Kerry is shown approving this message. Below is a full transcript of the ad.
“More Than Anyone"
Announcer: "He’s taken $3.2 million from big oil and gas companies… and let America’s worst polluters re-write our environmental laws. "
"He’s taken $1.4 million from drug companies… and pushed through a $140 billion giveaway for the pharmaceutical industry. "
"He’s taken $8 million from big banks and investment firms… and just told us that “outsourcing” jobs to other countries is good for America. "
"Enron has been his single biggest contributor – over $600,000. "
"Who’s the politician who’s taken more special interest money than anyone in history? '
"The same one who’s attacking John Kerry’s record because he can’t defend his own.'
John Kerry: "I’m John Kerry and I approved this message because together, we can defeat George Bush and the powerful special interests."
