Yahoo news has a story right now ('Bush, Kerry Trade National Security Barbs' -
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&e=1&u=/ap/20041026/ap_on_el_pr/campaign_rdp) talking about the upcoming closer ad for BC'04:
After spending weeks casting Kerry as a flip-flopping liberal in TV ads, Bush planned to close the race with a breezy 60-second commercial designed to cast him as a trustworthy, steady leader.
'The emotional high point, according to advisers, is a clip of Bush addressing the Republican National Convention about meeting the children of slain U.S. soldiers "who are told their dad or mom is a hero but would rather just have their dad or mom."
Now, I can't help but think this is flawed logic.
Checking the transcript (
http://uspolitics.about.com/od/speeches/a/bush_speech2_2.htm), it looks like the fuller text is:
One thing I have learned about the presidency is that whatever shortcomings you have, people are going to notice them and whatever strengths you have, you're going to need them. These four years have brought moments I could not foresee and will not forget. I have tried to comfort Americans who lost the most on September 11th people who showed me a picture or told me a story, so I would know how much was taken from them. I have learned first-hand that ordering Americans into battle is the hardest decision, even when it is right. I have returned the salute of wounded soldiers, some with a very tough road ahead, who say they were just doing their job. I've held the children of the fallen, who are told their dad or mom is a hero, but would rather just have their dad or mom.
Two immediate responses spring to mind:
a) They won't use the full text, but could we not draw attention to the words 'whatever shortcomings you have, people are going to notice them'. You, George, refused to admit to making mistakes. But by God have we noticed them.
b) I'm amazed Rove would consider talking about casualties and draw attention to the rising death toll - 1106 dead, 8019 wounded at last count. A great number to have would be how many of those dead are from roadside bombs, so the Al Qaa Qaa story can be continued.
Anyone else have any thoughts?