New Kerry TV Ad Shows U.S. As 'Optimists'

[Snazzy]

New Kerry TV Ad Shows U.S. As 'Optimists'

Jun 1, 8:14 PM (ET)

By LIZ SIDOTI

WASHINGTON (AP) - John Kerry is embarking on a new round of campaign ads that deliver the upbeat message that the United States is "a country of optimists" - a contrast to President Bush's commercials criticizing his Democratic rival.

At this stage in the presidential race - five months before Election Day - the incumbent typically highlights his own accomplishments while the challenger tries to undercut the White House occupant. That's not the case this year in a campaign that political analysts say could be the most negative yet.

"Bush is going full blast against Kerry," said John Geer, a Vanderbilt University professor who has studied 40 years of presidential campaign ads. "It's somewhat surprising, but it's not unlike what we've seen from previous incumbents who've been in trouble."

Recent polls show Bush's approval ratings at the lowest point of his presidency, with some in the low 40s. Two of the most negative presidential advertising campaigns were in 1992 and 1980, years in which two incumbents - George H.W. Bush and Jimmy Carter - lost re-election.

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http://apnews.myway.com/article/20040602/D82UHNQ02.html

[LoZoccolo]

1. This is the right thing.

Bush*'s negative strategy hasn't really got him anything. Kerry's taking a page out of Reagan and Clinton's book, and I think it'll get him far.

[pinto]

2. I was hoping Kerry would remind America of the Democratic optimism..

I know it sounds hokey...but it's been missing for a while in our national "dabate"...a good move.

[Old and In the Way]

3. Fine by me.

I think Candidate Kerry and President Kerry are going to be two very distinct entities. The warm, fuzzy candidate Kerry masks a man that's going to surprise a lot of people, I think.

[oblivious]

4. And it happens to be true.

Looking at America from the outside, I have to say, Americans are incurable optimists.