The List: Selling the War on Terror
The war on terror is a ripe issue for political advertisements, and the spots have never been more partisan—or more terrifying. In this week’s List, FP looks at five recent ads that hope to sway your vote in November, either by inspiring raw fear, stoking your anger, or appealing to your sense of patriotism.
See the ad here. // They Want to Kill Us
Produced by: Progress for America, a conservative advocacy group best known for releasing the ad Ashleys Story just before election day 2004
The pitch: Forgetful cut-and-runners want to hand over Iraqand the rest of the Middle Eastto terrorists. And since the United States just narrowly escaped another 9/11 using proven surveillance, its best that you sit back and let the folks whove protected you for the past five years get on with their jobs without asking too many questions.
The bottom line: Terrorists want you dead.
Fear factor:
Produced by: MoveOn, a liberal civic action group
The pitch: The Bush administration has misled Americans into a war in Iraq and failed to improve homeland security or dismantle al Qaeda. Apparently, the biggest threat to the United States is politicians who use the memory of 9/11 to their own ends.
The bottom line: Dont let the Republicans get away with exploiting terrorism. Let the Democrats do it instead.
Fear factor:
Produced by: The Center for Security Policy, a conservative think tank promoting peace through strength
The pitch: Some people just dont understand the nature of Islamofascism. And those people are putting the United States at risk, with plans to close the naval base at Guantnamo Bay, Cuba, and abandon democracy in Iraq. Terrorists wont be satisfied with Americas destruction. Theyre out to kill freedom.
The bottom line: The final screenshot of the entire planet says it all: Just where do cut-and-runners plan to cut and run to?
Fear factor:
Produced by: The Democratic National Committee
The pitch: President George W. Bush said he wasnt concerned about Osama bin Laden in 2002. Now, two months before his party faces a tough mid-term election, Bush cant stop talking about him.
The bottom line: Capturing bin Laden was never a priority for the Republicans.
Fear factor:
Produced by: Kurdistan Development Corporation
The pitch: Saddam wanted to bury every living Kurd. But he failed. And the people of Kurdistan would like to thank the United States for bringing them the bright light of freedom.
The bottom line: Kurdistan, the other Iraq, is better off since Saddam left. It is doing so well, in fact, that perhaps it should be its own country.
Fear factor:
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