A look at the "Wrong Flag" ad

STEVE RINGMAN / THE SEATTLE TIMES A new television spot by the National Republican Congressional Committee charges that Democrat Dave Ross would "empower terrorists."

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Title: "Wrong Flag"

Sponsor: National Republican Congressional Committee

Time: 30 seconds

Images: Dave Ross, with footage of soldiers running out of a vehicle in the background. Two bearded men setting fire to a drawing. Unflattering picture of Dave Ross with footage of U.S. soldiers in background. Children playing. A U.S. soldier hugging someone. A bearded man wearing a head covering and repeatedly hoisting a rifle in the air. Footage of Dave Ross with an American flag in the background that turns to white.

Audio: (Male announcer) A $100 billion cut in defense spending. That's Dave Ross' solution. While terrorists plan attacks and foment hate, Dave Ross thinks we should cut our defense spending. The Dave Ross plan would leave us less secure here at home. Endanger our fighting men and women overseas. And empower terrorists to attack again. Dave Ross. Waving the wrong flag in the war against terror.

Analysis: The ad attempts to make Ross look weak on the war against terrorists. But it passes over a number of facts that would show there is little connection between his position and terrorism. Ross has said he would cut a $100 billion missile-defense program to reduce the federal deficit. The ad exaggerates the impact of the cut by failing to mention the $100 billion is stretched over a number of years. It would not cut that amount from the defense budget in one year. Second, it doesn't mention the particular weapon at issue. Several defense analysts said there is virtually no relationship between the missile-defense system and terrorists. It is meant to shoot down intercontinental ballistic missiles, while terrorists are far more likely to rely on things like small bombs, shoulder-fired missiles or hijacked airplanes.

Ross has said the war against terrorists is vital, but has criticized the invasion of Iraq as a distraction from the real terrorists threatening the country, such as Osama bin Laden.

— Warren Cornwall, staff reporter

Copyright © 2004 The Seattle Times Company

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