arcana imperii :: the book of j

condemn bush's ad slandering kerry

last week a group of far-right bush allies released an outrageous advert claiming that john kerry faked his injuries, betrayed his troops, and «dishonoured his country» in vietnam. the ad features people who say «i served with john kerry» (although they didn't) and who make numerous likely false accusations about kerry's war record.¹ it's one of the most vile tactics yet seen in bush's ferociously negative campaign.

the «swift boat» advert is so far beyond the pale that even senator john mcCain, a bush supporter, spoke against it, calling it «dishonest and dishonorable»."² yet despite senator mcCain's request that bush «specifically condemn» the advert, bush continues to refuse refuses to comment.

you could join and send bush a clear message along with hundreds of thousands of americans that we won't stand for these smear tactics, and we expect him to repudiate and reject them. the petition will be delivered by moveOn to bush on the campaign trail. you may sign the petition to bush here.

clearly the advert continues the dirty tricks tradition of bush campaigning . in a recent interview, senator mcCain noted that the spot «was the same kind of deal that was pulled on» him in 2000. mcCain was referring to a vicious smear campaign -- which included race-baiting allegations that he had a black child our of wedlock -- run by close bush allies in 2000. in fact, the same firm that ran some of the anti-mcCain adverts in 2000 produced «swift boat».³ although the group claims independence from the republican party, the group's funding mostly comes from a longtime bush supporter who gave over US$20,000 to his campaigns for texas governor.⁴

note that even before the advert went on air, the washington post discussed how bush is running the most negative presidential campaign in US history (while falsely accusing kerry of same). in the article «from bush, unprecedented negativity» the post quotes an expert who says that «there is more attack now on the bush side against kerry than you've historically had in the general-election period against either candidate».<sup>5

1</sup>fact check: swift boat veterans for bush

²mcCain condemns anti-kerry ad.

³republicans'dishonourable charge.

⁴republican-funded group attacks verry's war record.

⁵from bush, unprecedented negativity.