US: President Bush yesterday denounced campaign commercials funded by independent groups, including a controversial ad that accused Democratic candidate Mr John Kerry of lying about his combat record in Vietnam, writes Conor O'Clery
"That ad and every other ad" run by such groups had no place in the campaign, Mr Bush said in Crawford, Texas, when asked about the commercial produced by Swift Boat Veterans For Truth that has dominated the presidential debate for days.
The President made his call as the Kerry campaign fought back, accusing the Bush-Cheney campaign of being behind the attacks on their candidate.
Mr Bush had also come under public pressure to disown the ads from his Republican ally Sen John McCain, who called the attack against Mr Kerry's Vietnam record "dishonest and dishonourable".
Asked if he agreed with the claims that the Democratic candidate had lied about his service in Vietnam, Mr Bush said, "I think Senator Kerry served admirably and he ought to be proud of his record."
A new Kerry ad says Mr Bush smeared Mr McCain four years ago in the Republican primaries using similar tactics, and "now he's doing it to John Kerry".
The anti-Kerry commercial, which ran in three states, said the Massachusetts senator didn't deserve the three Purple Hearts he was awarded for injuries, and lied to get his Bronze Star and Silver Star.
Observers said the anti-Kerry ads could rebound and damage Mr Bush by associating him with unethical campaign behaviour, and that the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth had not met the burden of proof in their claims.
In a conference call for reporters arranged by the Kerry campaign yesterday, Swift Boat officers Rich McCann, Jim Russell and Rich Baker said Mr Kerry acted honourably and bravely and was the most aggressive officer in charge of swift boats.
As the controversy affected Mr Kerry's support among veterans, the Democratic candidate had called on Mr Bush to condemn the ad, one of dozens produced by so-called 527s, independent groups that under campaign law can promote or criticise candidates in commercials.
Mr Bush's credibility on Iraq has been attacked in a multimillion-dollar ad campaign run by a pro-Democratic group, Moveon.org, which has received funding from major Democratic supporters such as investor Mr George Soros.