Kucinich says Dean ads mislead public
PORTSMOUTH - Congressman Dennis Kucinich said he is more sad than angry about Howard Dean’s newest campaign advertisement.
The ad, which Kucinich showed before his press conference Friday, depicts Dean speaking out against his "opponents," who Dean said are "asking questions now that should have been asked before the war."
Kucinich believes this misrepresents not only his own views on the war, but also those of other candidates.
Kucinich is one of nine Democratic candidates running for president, and on Friday announced his attorney sent a letter to all television networks broadcasting Dean’s ad into New Hampshire, asking the networks to stop running the ad, and to grant the Kucinich campaign equal time to respond, free of charge.
The letter also said the FTC and FCC will be written letters regarding "this false and misleading advertising."
Kucinich reiterate these two points at his Friday press conference.
Kucinich’s letter, drafted by his attorney Donald J. McTingue, gives evidence of Kucinich past opposition to the war in Iraq, including a Feb. 2002 speech against the war that "resulted in a flood of requests that he run for president."
According to The Associated Press, representatives from the Dean campaign have said they will not stop showing the ad, and networks have no right to edit or decline ads from federal candidates.
Kucinich said by grouping his campaign in with opponents of the war, Dean has misled many New Hampshire voters who may not have seen or heard of the Kucinich campaign yet.
"Just because it’s on TV doesn’t make it the truth," Kucinich said. "Dr. Dean has attacked all other Democrats at a time when all Democrats should be united.
"This is a test of Dr. Dean’s integrity. Will he take them off or will he stand by them as the truth?" he said.
Before speaking to the AFL-CIO in Whitefield on today, Kucinich said he will speak directly to Dean, who is also scheduled to speak.
"We’re not going to let this go until he takes it off the air and issues an apology to the candidates he has misrepresented," Kucinich said.
The first step Kucinich said his campaign will take involves getting the word out and using public outcry as a means to persuade Dean to remove the ad.
The second step involves the FCC, a route Kucinich said he is not afraid to take. Kucinich said he has a background in communication, which will assist him in his efforts.
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