Bush, Kerry political ads can't handle the truth

[AmyStrange]

Bush, Kerry political ads can't handle the truth

FROM: http://www.usatoday.com/usatonline/20040604/6259664s.htm
Voters in 30 states that are not expected to be closely contested in this year's presidential election are missing the onslaught of TV ads President Bush and Democratic challenger John Kerry are airing. They should consider themselves fortunate.

Voters in the other so-called battleground states, where the election is likely to be decided, aren't as lucky. The two campaigns, armed with record funds, are bombarding voters with attacks on the rival candidate that are filled with exaggerations, omissions and misleading statements peddled as ''facts.''

While deceptive ads are hardly new to politics, what makes this year different is how early the barrage has begun and how often the commercials are running. And truth is the principal victim: One non-partisan study has found that most viewers believe the ads.

Political consultants may be convinced that campaigns that play loose with the facts win elections, but the country loses. Voters are deprived of a chance to weigh the real differences between candidates. And polls show that mudslinging campaigns persuade many to stay home rather than vote.

How each side has distorted facts:

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[Cocoa]

1. makes them seem equal

In reality, Kerry is waging a conventional campaign, and Bush is setting a record for lying.