Ad Shows Bush As Leader in Terror Fight [View All]

[dajabr]

WASHINGTON Nov. 21 — Concerned about President Bush's slipping popularity and criticism from rivals who want his job, the GOP is questioning Democrats' commitment to fighting terrorism in its first TV ad of the 2004 race.
The commercial shows Bush during the last State of the Union address warning of continued threats. "Our war against terror is a contest of will in which perseverance is power," Bush said after the screen flashes the words, "Some are now attacking the president for attacking the terrorists."

The ad, airing in two early voting states, portrays the president as fighting terrorism while Democrats retreat from the fight.

Party chairman Ed Gillespie said he isn't questioning the Democrats' patriotism.

"It's their policies. They are opposed to a policy of preemptive self defense, and they are attacking the president for pursuing that policy," he said in a telephone interview. "It takes us back to a policy of responding to terrorism in its aftermath, and that's the wrong policy to pursue in the world after Sept. 11."

Democratic presidential hopefuls called the ad a sign of desperation.

More: http://abcnews.go.com/wire/Politics/ap20031121_746.html