NIGHTLINE: Political War On the Air (Ginsburg is guest)

[Connie_Corleone]

(From Email)

Nightline Daily E-Mail
August 25, 2004



TONIGHT'S FOCUS: The group known as the "Swift Boat Veterans for Truth" continues to stir this year's Presidential election. Today, one of President Bush's election lawyers, Benjamin Ginsberg, stepped down from his role in the Bush campaign after admitting ties with the group that has been attacking John Kerry's war record. Mr. Ginsberg will be our guest tonight.



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If you're keeping score in the political match for President, John Kerry scored a point today. Or maybe President Bush lost one. It depends on how you look at it. This morning, Mr. Ginsberg resigned after voluntarily disclosing his role as an advisor to both the Bush campaign and the "Swift Boat Veterans for Truth." Is this dual role a violation of federal election laws? Technically it isn't, but the appearance of a "connection" could still have political consequences. Ginsberg's admission of ties with the so-called "527 group" comes after the President has categorically denied that a connection exists between his campaign and the television ads in question. Chris Bury talks to Benjamin Ginsberg about his connection with the "Swift Boat Veterans for Truth," his decision to resign from his position as National Counsel to the Bush campaign, and what this means for the Republicans.

Both sides of the political spectrum have 527 groups - for example, you may have heard of the liberal Moveon.org or conservative Club for Growth. What's important to note is that a significant amount more - $136 million more - has been raised by Democratic-tied groups over the Republican-tied groups.

Tonight, ABC's Jake Tapper will help us understand these groups, and how they continue to have a huge impact on this election year. He'll also explain the political connections on both sides to these groups.

Do the voters even care about swift boats? Are they following the back and forth as closely as the media is? Chris Bury will talk to some veteran reporters who have been on the road with the candidates.

Finally, we will explore how negative ads have affected past campaigns (remember Willie Horton and Michael Dukakis?). Can two negative ads, played only a few times, bring down a candidate? We'll take a look through recent campaign history.

Gerry Holmes and the Nightline Staff
Nightline Offices
ABC News Washington Bureau

[w13rd0]

1. Here is what I want to know....

...MoveOn has run more ads, truthful ads, about the ISSUES, than the Smearvets. Why haven't they gotten as much press coverage on the content of their ads as the Smearvets have gotten on the lies in theirs?

[Connie_Corleone]

2. Well, whenever someone mentions the difference,

the press ignores it. Wolfie just did it 30 minutes ago.