Ad wars
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The Bush-Cheney campaign plans to launch a $4.5 million ad campaign Thursday.
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From Wolf Blitzer Reports' Brian Todd in Washington:
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- It's the first clear sign of a one-on-one battle between two political heavyweights. The ad wars are underway.
An acknowledgement of an all but confirmed, and worthy opponent, the Bush-Cheney campaign is rolling out its first re-election ads.
"I know exactly where I want to lead this country," the president says in one.
Three spots, one in both English and Spanish, debut Thursday in 15 to 17 states. Bush campaign sources say they'll target areas decided by relatively narrow margins in 2000, likely including Florida, Arizona and Michigan.
A striking feature in two of the ads: images of September 11, 2001.
Bush voices over the dramatic pictures saying, "Some challenges we've seen before. Some were like no others. America rose to the challenge."
On the one hand, it plays to the strength of leadership in crisis.
On the other:
"There are numerous images of the World Trade Center attacks in these ads and that is already drawing questions about exploitation of 9/11," says Howard Kurtz of CNN's "Reliable Sources."
The themes of leadership and faith are obvious. The unspoken message being sent is that the president is taking the high road -- for now.
"I'm optimistic about America because I believe in the people of America," says the president in one of the ads.
These first spots are all positive. Bush campaign sources don't rule out negative ads about Sen. John Kerry in the future. But a new disclaimer, required when a candidate is doing his own campaign ads, may prevent them from getting too nasty.
All the spots end with the president saying, "I'm President Bush and I approve of this message."
From a war chest, of more than $100 million the Bush-Cheney campaign is spending $4.5 million on this first ad blitz.
The battle lines are clearly drawn on liquidity and ideology.
But experts say: "Don't paint the Democratic challenger as the poor kid down the block."
"There are a number of liberal groups out there raising money for ads. John Kerry won't be overwhelmed," says CNN political analyst Stu Rothenberg.
Almost on cue, the left-leaning online group, MoveOn.org, rolls out two ads starting Thursday in 17 states. The cost: $1.9 million. The target: President Bush and your wallet.
"Two million jobs lost. Jobs going overseas. And now, no overtime pay. When it comes to choosing between corporate values and family values, face it, George bush is not on our side," says one MoveOn ad.
The Kerry campaign has no connection to MoveOn.org or its ads.
A Kerry spokeswoman told CNN they've just finished one ad campaign and haven't made a final decision on when to gear-up again.
