Pre-emptive Kerry ad

Based on excellent comments in this thread:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x684013

The point of this ad (from MoveOn maybe) would be to pre-empt the coming attacks from more smearvet ads and a movie where POW's claim that Kerry's testimony "demoralized" them. Perhaps running just ahead of the smearvet release.

*********

(Open with scenes of Vietnam firefight)

On screen : IN 1971, TIME WAS OF THE ESSENCE

On screen: 300 AMERICAN SOLDIERS A DAY WERE DYING IN VIETNAM

Shift to archival video of Kerry speaking to congress:

Kerry: "Well, Senator, frankly it does not appeal to me if American men have to continue to die when they don't have to, particularly when it seems the Government of this country is more concerned with the legality of where men sleep than it is with the legality of where they drop bombs. (Applause on video)"

On screen: NIXON WAS STALLING

Kerry: …"I do not believe it is necessary to stall any longer. I have been to Paris. I have talked with both delegations at the peace talks…it has been stated time and time again, and was stated by Senator Vance Hartke when he returned from Paris, and it has been stated by many other officials of this Government, if the United States were to set a date for withdrawal the prisoners of war would be returned. I think this negates very clearly the argument of the President that we have to maintain a presence in Vietnam, to use as a negotiating block for the return of those prisoners. The setting of a date will accomplish that."

On screen: IN 1971, JOHN KERRY ASKED CONGRESS TO SET A DATE

On screen: TO BRING OUR SOLDIERS AND POW'S HOME

Kerry: …I think if we can talk in this legislative body about filibustering for porkbarrel programs, then we should start now to talk about filibustering for the saving of lives and of our country.

On screen: JOHN KERRY (insert a punchy line to sum up, ideas?)

Fade with applause from video while firefight continues in background.

***********

Since Kerry's dialogue comes directly from his testimony, not sure how much it can be cut short.

I left in the part about Paris, because he's certain to be attacked on his discussions there, and this puts them in the true perspective.

Any suggestions or commentary? You can tell me why this would be a really stupid ad to run? I'm not a politico, I'm more the artistic type.

Suggestions for completely different approaches welcome here.

We'll only win if this election is about Bush's record, not Kerry's

I think both should happen. The point of something like this is to defang the hoopla that the media will spin on the new smear ads, which drowns out ads about current issues.

Besides, to me, this history is extremely relevant to current events. It says clearly that Kerry gave a damn what happened and understood the war, which is directly relevant to Iraq (the issue getting pushed under the table.)

I'd add something from the "Where are the leaders" part... And include something showing Kerry was part of a larger movement, he was far from alone -- that way dissing Kerry is dissing ALL those veterans who were speaking up and trying to end the war.

The longest war in US history.

of population behind the 'stop the war' movement in general. (I'll go look for stats)

and he's going to do it again. He'll save your children.