Swift Boat Veterans for Truth: Take Two

I was cruising through the Fox News website a couple weeks ago and ran into an interesting article regarding a North Carolina GOP commercial linking Obama with Reverend Wright. Apparently, the McCain Camp and the Republican National Committee tried to get the commercial pulled before it was aired, claiming that he didn't want to run a negative campaign. The Democratic National Committee came back by lambasting the Senator for not being able to control his own party or lead a respectful campaign.

This article really struck me because of what we learned in class regarding the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth ads and the attacks on John Kerry during the 2004 Presidential Election. Although George W. Bush did not appear connected to the ad in any way, not only was he able to benefit from the commercial, but he was also able to appear as though he was "leading a respectful campaign" by denouncing it and taking the higher road. While criticizing the ad, Bush was also able to benefit by bringing the commercial to peoples' attention and keeping it in their minds.

Although this may not be the case for the McCain Campaign, he seems to be in a very similar position that Bush was in, not more than 4 years ago. Additionally, it raises questions regarding how the Republican Nominee was not able to control his own party when he supposedly has their backing. You be the judge.

http://elections.foxnews.com/2008/04/24/mccain-camp-under-false-impression-that-nc-gop-obama-ad-was-killed/