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Swift Boat Veterans Buy More Ad Time
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio -- The political pressure group made up of Vietnam veterans who oppose the election of John Kerry -- Swift Boat Veterans for Truth -- has purchased more time on Youngstown television stations to air an ad considered the harshest personal attack televised this presidential election year.The extended ad campaign began today with the Swift Boat spot appearing on various news programs. It features veterans who claim they have personal knowledge that Kerry (and his crew mates) lied about his war record to secure his metals for bravery, and then Kerry betrayed his comrades after his tour of duty ended by speaking out against the war.Based on information provided by three of Youngstown's four commercial television stations, The Business Journal estimates the veterans group has purchased more than $50,000 worth of time locally. The Swift Boat Veterans ad campaign began Aug. 6 (READ STORY) after the general managers of Youngstown television stations turned down requests from the Kerry campaign and Democratic National Committee to refuse the ad on the grounds it's untrue.In a letter to TV station managers, lawyers for Kerry and the DNC stated, "The statements made by the phony 'crew mates' and 'doctor' who appear in the advertisement are totally, demonstrably and unequivocally false and libelous."None of the 13 veterans appearing in the ad actually served in the same swift boat that Kerry commanded in Vietnam and their statements contradict the testimony of veterans who did. Moreover, the doctor who claimed to treat Kerry did not sign his medical records and only came forward with his allegations last year, according to the Kerry campaign.The ad has been fodder for radio talk shows and cable shouting matches ever since it first aired in the Mahoning Valley and six other television markets in battleground states. While its accuracy has been attested to by conservative commentators Robert Novak, Kate O'Berne and others, there may be a boomerang affect, even among supporters of President George W. Bush, observed Ron Verb, host of WKBN-AM's afternoon talk show."A lot of callers to our show say they are offended by it because at least Kerry volunteered to serve in Vietnam and didn't go into the National Guard to get out of it."Isn't that reaction to be expected given the Mahoning Valley is likely to vote overwhelmingly for Kerry?"Not really," replied Verb. "Most talk-show listeners tend to be conservatives and they support George Bush." The largest donor to the veterans group is a Houston developer who gives generously to the Republican Party and certain GOP candidates, according to news accounts. The claims made in the Swift Boat Veterans ad were researched by The Boston Globe in 1996, when they surfaced in Kerry's re election campaign, and were fully refuted by the newspaper's investigation.See the Swift Boat Veterans ad at www.swiftvets.com"