2004 Presidential Campaign Blog

"Jobs Lost" New John Kerry 2004 TV Ad

New Kerry Ad Highlights Jobs Lost Under Bush
Kerry: “We need to be on the Side of America’s Workers”

February  24,  2004

For Immediate Release
Cleveland, OH – "Jobs Lost"

As John Kerry, elected officials and labor leaders kicked-off a nationwide jobs tour today, the Kerry campaign announced the launch of a new television ad that will air Wednesday statewide in Ohio and in markets across upstate New York.

The 30-second ad emphasizes the devastating impact of the Bush economy on middle class families and John Kerry’s plan to put America back on track.
In Ohio today, John Kerry stood with locked-out workers in a closed steel mill in Struthers and then walked with those workers to a revitalized plant to see first hand the manufacturing jobs that can be created when communities invest in a working America.

Manufacturing workers in Ohio have struggled to maintain their jobs and wages, losing 160,100 manufacturing jobs since George W. Bush took office. And under George W. Bush’s plan to cut overtime pay, another 351,795 workers in Ohio would see their pay cut even as they spend more time away from their families.

Text of Ad:

John Kerry: 3 million jobs lost...that is an astonishing failure

Narrator: John Kerry’s got the strength and experience to fight for America’s jobs.

John Kerry: We need to be on the side of America’s workers

Narrator: His plan...End tax breaks that reward companies for shipping jobs overseas. New incentives to create and keep good jobs here. A real plan to get health care costs under control.

John Kerry: George Bush won’t do it. I will. I'm John Kerry and I approved this message.

"More Than Anyone" New John Kerry 2004 TV Ad

New Kerry Ad Sends Bush a Valentine’s Day message
Names Him Undisputed King of Special Interests

February  14,  2004 Washington, DC –

George Bush officially cranked up the Republican smear machine this week by choosing to make his first campaign ad a misleading attack against John Kerry.  In fact, the ad was so misleading that Bush wouldn’t even appear in it to back up its claims.

In response to Bush’s misleading ad, the Kerry campaign today released a new ad entitled “More Than Anyone.” The ad – which will be emailed across the country -- will remind the American people that George Bush has taken more special interest money than anyone, ever.   
Using data compiled by the Center for Responsive Politics, the ad outlines the huge contributions Bush has taken from big oil and gas companies, big banks and investment firms and even Enron, and reveals the favors he gave these powerful special interests in return.  Given Bush’s record as the “King of Special Interests,” a Washington Post editorial today called Bush’s attack on Kerry a “brazen display of political chutzpah.”

“It’s the height of hypocrisy for George W. Bush – the undisputed king of special interests – to attack John Kerry on this issue,” said Stephanie Cutter.  “Bush is trying to attack to distract voters from his record of three million jobs lost, 41 million uninsured Americans, and a nation less secure today than when he took office. Each and every day, Bush gives the American people yet another reason to doubt his credibility.”

The new Kerry ad will be emailed to over 300,000 Kerry supporters across the nation, who will then be asked to send to 10 friends to reach over 3 million Americans.  By Monday, the ad is expected to reach well over 5 million people. 

The ad shows an empty Oval Office and a long list of special interest Bush contributors with the question on the screen: “Who’s taken more special interest than anyone?”  And unlike the Bush Internet ad, John Kerry is shown approving this message.  Below is a full transcript of the ad.

“More Than Anyone"

Announcer: "He’s taken $3.2 million from big oil and gas companies… and let America’s worst polluters re-write our environmental laws. "

"He’s taken $1.4 million from drug companies… and pushed through a $140 billion giveaway for the pharmaceutical industry. "

"He’s taken $8 million from big banks and investment firms… and just told us that “outsourcing” jobs to other countries is good for America. "

"Enron has been his single biggest contributor – over $600,000. "

"Who’s the politician who’s taken more special interest money than anyone in history? '

"The same one who’s attacking John Kerry’s record because he can’t defend his own.'

John Kerry:  "I’m John Kerry and I approved this message because together, we can defeat George Bush and the powerful special interests."

"We Need To Get Some Things Done" New John Kerry 2004 TV Ad

John Kerry Iowa Caucus Victory Party

John Kerry, trailing in the polls, decided to throw all of his  resources into Iowa, culminating with a 1st place finish. This gave the campaign momentum, leading to future Primary and Caucus wins and the Democratic Nomination. John Kerry's Iowa staff and organization, underestimated, surpassed Howard Dean's and also Dick Gephardt's Union assistance.

"Iowa Endorsements" New John Kerry 2004 TV Ad

New Kerry Ad Highlights Iowa Support
Iowans Tout Kerry’s Experience, Newspapers Call Kerry “Extraordinary,” “Impressive Choice”

January  17,  2004 Des Moines, IA –

For the final campaign push, John Kerry will launch a new ad in Iowa tomorrow featuring endorsements from Iowa’s First Lady Christi Vilsack, Elizabeth Hendrix, an Iowan trying to make ends meet and who opposes to a tax increase on the middle class, and newspapers from across the state.

The 30-second will air statewide on television. The spot—which builds on an ad released earlier this week with Christie Vilsack—shows the depth of support that John Kerry has amassed from Iowans, adding to the campaign’s incredible momentum over the last few weeks. John Kerry has received endorsements from First Lady Christie Vilsack, Attorney General Tom Miller, Secretary of Agriculture Patty Judge and 27 state legislators – more than any other campaign.

Text of Ad:
Narrator: He’s been endorsed by Iowans from office worker Elizabeth Hendrix to First Lady Christie Vilsack.

Christie Vilsack: I’m standing with John Kerry because he’ll fight for us.

Narrator:  The Quad City Times calls John Kerry “extraordinary.”  The Press Citizen endorses him for his experience and healthcare reforms.  The Burlington Hawk-Eye calls him an impressive choice in an uncertain economy.  Attorney General Miller says John Kerry has the character and judgment to beat George Bush.

John Kerry: Let’s go out and get it done. Let’s take back the White House.

John Kerry Voiceover: I’m John Kerry and I approved this message.

"I’m Standing with John Kerry Because He’ll Fight for Us" New John Kerry 2004 TV Ad

Christie Vilsack Featured in New Kerry Ad
“I’m Standing with John Kerry Because He’ll Fight for Us”

January  15,  2004 Washington, DC –
With just a few days left before the Iowa Caucus, John Kerry will launch a new statewide ad tomorrow that features Iowa First Lady Christie Vilsack.  Vilsack endorsed Kerry on Monday, adding to the campaign’s incredible momentum over the last few weeks.

In the 30-second spot, airing on both television and radio, Vilsack tells Iowans that she and so many other prominent state wide leaders are supporting John Kerry because he has the character and judgment to stand up to the powerful interests and fight for everyday Americans.  In 2000, Mrs. Vilsack endorsed Al Gore over Bill Bradley, and vigorously campaigned for him across the state.

Kerry spokesperson Stephanie Cutter said, “Christie Vilsack is a leader who is near and dear to the hearts of Iowa voters, and John Kerry is honored to have her by his side in this campaign.  Together, they are fighting hard to stand up for Iowa families, a fight John Kerry will continue as President.”

Mrs. Vilsack is campaigning with John Kerry across the state of Iowa today aboard the “Real Deal Express.” In addition to Vilsack’s endorsement, Kerry has the backing of Attorney General Tom Miller, Secretary of Agriculture Patty Judge and 27 state legislators – more than any other campaign.

Text of Ad:
Vilsack: I’m Christie Vilsack. I’m standing with John Kerry because he’ll fight for us.  He has a lifetime record of taking on special interests.

The Iowa City Press Citizen endorsed John Kerry for his healthcare plans.  The Quad City Times endorsed him for his extraordinary leadership in world affairs.  And Attorney General Miller supports John Kerry saying he has the character, judgment and momentum to win.

John Kerry: I’m John Kerry and I approved this message because together we can defeat George Bush and the powerful special interests.

"Middle Class Tax Cut" New John Kerry 2004 TV Ad

Kerry launches ad to highlight middle class tax cut
Iowan says “We Can’t Be Taxed Any More”

January  07,  2004 Des Moines, IA–

Highlighting the position of Howard Dean and Dick Gephardt, who support raising taxes on the middle class, John Kerry will hit the airwaves tomorrow with a new television ad featuring Elizabeth Hendrix, an Iowan trying to make ends meet and who opposes a tax increase on the middle class. The ad will run statewide in Iowa.

Elizabeth Hendrix of Des Moines is a single mother of four children who makes $28,000.  Under the Dean/Gephardt tax increase, Elizabeth would lose $1,800 in tax relief.
Text of Ad:
Elizabeth Hendrix: My husband died of cancer a few years ago. I’m working full time, raising 4 boys, and earn $28,000. I think it makes sense to roll back the tax cuts on the wealthiest people in this country. But some candidates want to raise taxes on the middle class. We can’t be taxed any more. John Kerry’s not going to raise taxes on the middle class.

John Kerry: I don’t think we should be asking the middle class to be the people who are going to pick up for George Bush’s mistakes. 

Elizabeth Hendrix: John Kerry understands what’s going on in my life.

John Kerry: I’m John Kerry and I approved this message.

"Family Health Care Crisis" New John Kerry 2004 TV Ad

New Kerry Ad Spotlights Family Health Care Crisis
Kerry Pledges to Reform Health Care in First 100 Days

December  26,  2003 Washington, DC -
John Kerry will launch a new ad that will air on Monday statewide in Iowa and later in the week in New Hampshire. In the 30-second spot, John Kerry talks about the unique health care challenges facing John and Mary Ann Knowles of New Hampshire, and his plan to provide all Americans with high quality affordable health care.

Kerry spokesperson Stephanie Cutter said, “John Kerry met the Knowles’ on the campaign trail and felt that their personal story truly encompassed what is wrong with the nation’s health care system.  John Kerry is fighting for Americans who can’t afford their health care because George Bush has put lobbyists ahead of Americans like the Knowles.”
A year and a half ago, John Knowles lost his job as a software technical writer.  To make ends meet, Mary Ann took on longer hours as an editor for a non-profit organization. Last July, Mary Ann was diagnosed with breast cancer and needed a mastectomy and 16 weeks of chemotherapy. In order to maintain her full health benefits to afford the life saving surgery and treatment, Mary Ann had to continue to work full time.  For the last 5 months, Mary Ann has juggled surgery, a prolonged recovery, chemo treatments, and side effects with a full work day that normally starts at 7 a.m.

“I’ve spoken to John Kerry a number of times since my diagnosis. I’m always deeply moved by his compassion regarding my illness, and the obvious empathy engendered by his own bout with cancer,” said Mary Ann Knowles.  “When John Kerry is elected President, he’ll fight special interests like the drug companies, and allow average ordinary people like us to have peace of mind, and a chance to concentrate on getting well when we’re sick without the burden of going to work every day. When John Kerry is elected President, people like John won’t lose all their coverage when they lose their jobs. They’ll have options, and a fighting chance.”

In his first 100 days as President, Kerry will propose a realistic plan that stops spiraling healthcare costs, covers every child in America, and makes it possible for every American to get the same health care as any Member of Congress. Kerry’s plan includes:   

A New Approach to Control Spiraling Health Care Costs: John Kerry has a comprehensive plan to stop spiraling health care costs, including providing relief for the highest cost cases.  Under Kerry’s proposal companies and insurers that guarantee a pass-through of the savings to their workers through reduced premiums, would be reimbursed for 75 percent of catastrophic costs above $50,000. 
A Strong Enforceable Patients’ Bill of Rights: John Kerry will fight for a strong enforceable patients’ bill of rights to assure patients get access to the specialists they need, can choose their own doctor, have access to a real appeals process, and can hold HMOs accountable when they make mistakes that hurt the patients.
Guarantee Health Care for Every Child: In a new compact with the states, the Federal government will pick up the cost of Medicaid coverage for children in exchange for automatic enrollment of all school children eligible for the Children’s Health Insurance Program. Independent experts estimate that the Kerry plan will cover 99 percent of America’s children.

Text of Ad:
John Kerry: “The Knowles family is living through America’s healthcare crisis. John Knowles lost his job, his wife Mary Ann has breast cancer. To keep her health insurance she had to keep working right through the chemotherapy. We need to change that.

I’m John Kerry and I approved this message because in my first hundred days as president I’ll introduce legislation that makes your health insurance more important than the drug companies profits.”

"Thanks" New John Kerry 2004 TV Ad

Jeanne Shaheen Featured in New Kerry Ad
Former New Hampshire Governor Touts Kerry's Experience and Judgment to Keep America Safe

December  26,  2003 Washington, DC -

John Kerry will launch a new ad on Monday statewide in New Hampshire featuring former New Hampshire Governor Jeanne Shaheen. In the 30-second spot, Shaheen highlights Kerry's ability to strengthen America's national security.

Kerry spokesperson Stephanie Cutter said, “As the most respected Democratic leader in the state, Governor Shaheen's support of John Kerry speaks volumes to Granite State voters. She knows that Kerry is the right choice for New Hampshire voters—he is the one candidate who can both stand up to George Bush on national security and put the nation back on track to progress and prosperity.”
Governor Shaheen serves as national chair of Kerry's campaign for president. Considered the most significant endorsement for Democrats in New Hampshire, Shaheen in 1996 was the first Democrat elected governor of New Hampshire in 16 years, and narrowly lost her bid for the U.S. Senate last year in the heavily Republican state. A veteran of presidential primary politics, Shaheen led Gary Hart's New Hampshire campaign to an upset victory over Walter Mondale in 1984.

Text of Ad:
Jeanne Shaheen: I've worked with nearly all the Democratic candidates running for president. Let me tell you why I am supporting John Kerry. We're living in an increasingly dangerous world and John Kerry has the experience and judgment needed to keep our nation safe.

We need a president who will really take on the special interests and John Kerry's done it. I'm supporting John Kerry and I hope you'll join me in supporting him too.

John Kerry: I'm John Kerry and I approved this message.

"Energy Independence" New John Kerry 2004 TV Ad

New Kerry Ad Calls for End to Mideast Oil Dependence
Highlights Importance of Energy Independence for Next Generation

December 23, 2003 Washington, DC –

John Kerry will launch a new ad tomorrow statewide in Iowa and New Hampshire. The 30-second spot highlights Kerry’s energy plan to reduce America’s dependence on Mideast oil and strengthen our national security.

Kerry spokesperson Stephanie Cutter said, “John Kerry believes we must end our dangerous dependence on Mideast oil in order to strengthen both our security and our economy.  As President, Kerry will reduce oil dependence by two million barrels of oil a day, as much as we currently import from the Middle East."
Kerry’s plan to reduce oil dependence includes:

A New ‘Energy Security and Conservation Trust’ to accelerate the commercialization of technologies that will reduce America’s dangerous dependence on oil.
Reducing Oil Dependence by Two Million Barrels of Oil a Day – As Much As We Currently Import From the Middle East. Kerry will provide tax incentives for consumers to buy the vehicles they want and incentives for manufacturers to convert factories to build the more efficient vehicles of the future.
Making Our Homes, Offices, Schools, and Cities More Energy Efficient. Kerry will cut the Government’s energy bill 20 percent by 2020 – saving the Federal government $8 billion over the next ten years - and will challenge municipalities, corporations, universities, small businesses, and hospitals to do the same.
A Plan to Use Hydrogen Throughout the Nation By 2020 – a clean fuel that we can eventually get entirely from renewable sources from our farms, the wind, solar energy, hydropower and geothermal sources.
 
Text of Ad:
John Kerry:  For nearly thirty years, we’ve talked about reducing America’s dependence on Mideast oil—and here we are today, more dependent on foreign oil than ever. It’s time to make energy independence a national priority—and to put in place a plan that frees our nation from the grip of Mideast oil in the next ten years.

Because no child growing up in America today should ever have to go to war for oil. I’m John Kerry and I approved this message.

[Note: The ad shows children playing with audio of John Kerry talking directly with voters about the importance of energy independence.]