USA TODAYNEW YORK — Democrats assigned to counter the Republican convention here have already accomplished the easy part of their job — coming up with a slogan. The hard part's going to be getting anyone to pay attention in a week dominated by President Bush.
Mission Not Accomplished" is the theme the opposition has come up with to underscore its contention that Bush has failed in Iraq, on jobs and other areas. It's a pointed reference to the "Mission Accomplished" banner that was Bush's backdrop when he announced success in Iraq in May 2003.
"The bottom line is to make everyone know there's a real choice in this election," Democratic Party chairman Terry McAuliffe said in an interview. "George Bush is bought and paid for by the special interests. John Kerry is going to be out there every day fighting for all Americans." ..
The Democrats plan to start a 15-second ad criticizing Bush's Iraq policy on New York broadcast and cable stations today. Two ads about the middle class and jobs began Sunday. "They say America has turned the corner, but middle class families are feeling squeezed, paying a bigger share of taxes. Paying higher health care costs," says one. The second: "They supported tax breaks for companies that export jobs overseas. But we've lost 1 million jobs in four years." Both end with "Mission Not Accomplished." ..