Bush team airs campaign's first negative ads

WASHINGTON - President Bush unleashed the first negative ads of the general election campaign Thursday, accusing Democratic rival John Kerry of seeking to raise taxes by $900-billion and wanting to "delay defending America."

"John Kerry: Wrong on taxes. Wrong on defense," says an announcer in a new 30-second ad that will begin airing in battleground states.

Kerry's campaign called the $900-billion figure "completely made up," and accused Bush of running away from his record.

A second Bush ad tells voters they face choices on the economy, health care and the war on terrorism. "We can go forward with confidence, resolve and hope. Or we can turn back to the dangerous illusions that terrorists are not plotting and outlaw regimes are no threat," Bush says in the second ad, without mentioning Kerry.

WASHINGTON - Sen. John Kerry on Thursday fought off Republican attacks over his harsh off-the-cuff comments about his critics and refused to apologize for describing Republicans as "crooked" and "lying."

"I haven't said anything that's incorrect about them, and they've said lots of things that are incorrect," Kerry said.

He met with Sen. John Edwards twice Thursday, and with Edwards' fundraisers.

World and national headlines

© 2006 • All Rights Reserved • Tampa Bay Times 490 First Avenue South • St. Petersburg, FL 33701 • 727-893-8111 Contact the Times | Privacy Policy Standard of Accuracy | Terms, Conditions & Copyright