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Arts & Entertainment Books Comics Health & Body Media Mothers Who Think News People Politics2000 Technology Travel & Food Columnists "Scam" ads the norm NYU study shows how campaign ad loopholes are exploited ruthlessly. By Jake Tapper [05/18/00] Trail Mix: Hillary haters spam cyberspace Court calls for first lady's phone records. Giuliani to give a final answer, but either way he keeps the cash. Keyes continues crusading on the sidelines. By Alicia Montgomery [05/18/00] Gunning for the center George W. Bush is trying to modify and moderate his perceived positions on guns. By Jake Tapper [05/17/00] Democrats make Hillary legit New York's party convention officially nominates the first lady for the U.S. Senate while a certain mayor goes unmentioned. By Jesse Drucker [05/17/00] The blundering pundit Dick Morris' predictions about the New York Senate race have all been off the mark. By Eric Boehlert [05/16/00] Don Giuliani A masterwork given new meaning. By Jake Tapper [05/16/00] Campaign video: George W. Bush talks about why John McCain's endorsement is important to him.			FROM THE WIRES - - - - - - - - - - - - GOP to air ad on gays in military The Republican Party has planned television spots to highlight Al Gore’s controversial statements about the "don’t ask, don’t tell" policy. - - - - - - - - - - - - By Laura Meckler Jan. 9, 2000 | WASHINGTON -- Looking to exploit controversy surrounding Vice President Al Gore's position on gays in the military, the Republican National Committee plans a new TV ad accusing Gore of advocating a policy that would prohibit Colin Powell and Norman Schwarzkopf from serving on the Joint Chiefs of Staff. The ad features shots of soldiers at work, of Powell and Schwarzkopf and ends with: "Call Al Gore. Tell him the only litmus test ought to be for patriotism." Powell and Schwarzkopf directed U.S. forces during the Persian Gulf War. More news on Gun Control _ Print story E-mail story The RNC is spending less than $10,000 to air the ad in Iowa, New Hampshire and a few other states late this week, so not many people will see it on TV. But the goal is to keep alive an issue that has forced Gore to backpedal and that could hurt Democrats in this fall's general election. Gore and Bill Bradley, competing for the Democratic presidential nomination and the liberal voters who turn out for primaries, both have said that gays should be allowed to serve openly in the military. But the vice president got himself into trouble last week when he said in a debate that his appointees to the Joint Chiefs of Staff would be required to agree with his stand. Asked by the moderator whether that amounted to a litmus test, he said yes. Gore backpedaled a day later, after Republicans, military leaders and even some Gore allies balked. He said he would not require would-be appointees to personally agree, only to carry out his policy. Despite the clarification, Republican National Committee spokesman Mark Pfeifle said it's fair to air an ad based on Gore's original comments. "Words matter," he said Sunday. "Al Gore wants to be the president of the United States. He's going to be in negotiations with foreign countries both on defense and economic matters. Plus, he's going to be speaking to the American people. His inability to communicate in a clear and concise matter is a very viable political issue that Republicans will use constantly." Republicans hope the ad -- and publicity about it -- will keep the controversy alive as a general election issue. While Gore and Bradley are tacking to the left in the primary, the eventual winner will need to appeal to voters in the political center this fall. Many moderates are not as supportive of gay rights as liberals generally are. The gays in the military issue has surfaced in the Republican debates as well. Texas Gov. George W. Bush and Sen. John McCain said they would continue President Clinton's "don't ask, don't tell" policy, which allows gays to serve in the military as long as they do not acknowledge their homosexuality. Other GOP candidates want to ban their service altogether. The new RNC ad will run in Iowa, New Hampshire and three states with large military populations. The RNC is considering New York, California and Virginia, but has not made a final decision, an RNC aide said, speaking on condition of anonymity. salon.com | Jan. 9, 2000 © 2006 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. The information contained in the AP News report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press. - - - - - - - - - - - - Sound off Send us a Letter to the Editor - - - - - - - - - - - -   Get a printer-friendly version   E-mail a friend about this article   Backflip this article to find it again - - - - - - - - - - - - Search Salon    Advanced Search  |  Help

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