Swift Boat Veterans for Truth

"Any Questions"
:60 second ad run starting August 5, 2004 in select markets in OH, WV and WI (run on 19 stations; 1 declined).

Stevens, Reed, Curcio and Potham

 

 John Edwards: "If you have any question about what John Kerry is made of, just spend 3 minutes with the men who served with him." 

Al French: "I served with John Kerry." 

Bob Elder: "I served with John Kerry." 

George Elliott: "John Kerry has not been honest about what happened in Vietnam." 

Al French: "He is lying about his record." 

Louis Letson: "I know John Kerry is lying about his first Purple Heart because I treated him for that injury." 

Van O'Dell: "John Kerry lied to get his bronze star ... I know, I was there, I saw what happened." 

Jack Chenoweth: "His account of what happened and what actually happened are the difference between night and day." 

Admiral Hoffman: "John Kerry has not been honest." 

Adrian Lonsdale: "And he lacks the capacity to lead." 

Larry Thurlow: "When the chips were down, you could not count on John Kerry." 

Bob Elder: "John Kerry is no war hero." 

Grant Hibbard: "He betrayed all his shipmates ... he lied before the Senate." 

Shelton White: "John Kerry betrayed the men and women he served with in Vietnam." 

Joe Ponder: "He dishonored his country ... he most certainly did." 

Bob Hildreth: "I served with John Kerry ... 

Bob Hildreth (off-camera): John Kerry cannot be trusted." 

Male Announcer: "Swift Boat Veterans for Truth is responsible for the content of this advertisement." 

  

 
On the Screen: 1. Old B&W group photo of Kerry and other swift boat commanders in Vietnam.  2. Short video clip of Sen. Edwards.  3. Return to B&W photo.  4. Text screen "Here's what those men think about John Kerry"  5. A succession of veterans speaking to the camera; various B&W photos from Vietnam serve as a backdrop.  6. B&W photo Kerry testifying.  7. Disclaimer.
Notes and Observations:  Biography is a central part of Kerry's campaign.  Smear or not, effectively served to raise questions about Kerry's Vietnam service.  The campaign called on President Bush to repudiate the ad but he would not do so directly, only speaking out against 527 attack ads generally.  After two weeks Kerry himself responded.  (Response).