WASHINGTON, D.C. -- President Bush, trying to counter John Kerry's record as a decorated Vietnam War veteran, argues in a new campaign ad that his Democratic rival has turned his back on U.S. soldiers engaged in war.
"Though John Kerry voted in October of 2002 for military action in Iraq, he later voted against funding our soldiers," the Bush-Cheney campaign ad says.
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Bush's ad, which started airing Tuesday in West Virginia, is designed to counter Kerry's potential appeal -- his Vietnam record -- in the state that boasts more than 203,000 veterans. It's the first sign of a new strategy for the Bush team: ads targeted to specific states.
Although solidly Democratic in past elections, West Virginia sided with Bush instead of Al Gore in 2000. Its five electoral votes would be essential in another close election.
Bush is airing commercials criticizing Kerry in 18 states and nationally on cable networks. The new ad is running only in West Virginia, where Kerry was campaigning Tuesday, but Bush advisers said it may run elsewhere.
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