UPI: Bush campaign ad features Hitler

With various regulatory bodies forcing political campaigns to play nicer in traditional media, the Internet is fast becoming the home for attack ads and, now, odd allusions to Adolph Hitler. The George W. Bush re-election campaign put together a video montage of the more shrill attacks made by its opponents, including a 30-second ad that compares Bush to Hitler, submitted as part of a liberal group's contest for homemade anti-Bush commercials. The Republican ad intersperses well-known Democrats, shrill statements and the elected leader of Germany who went on to become the most hated man in history.

Republican campaign officials say they are merely pointing out Democratic exploitation of holocaust, although they remain the only official campaign organization to publicize the footage. Even the MoveOn organization - the group holding the anti-Bush ad contest - took the :30 off its site when people pointed it out.

The visual effect of the Republican ad may have a negative effect on John Kerry's support for those who see it. Six million people received a link to it via a Republican email list. But the publicity caused by their counter-effort may reach more people who haven't yet decided whom to vote for. That coverage tends to lack the images and concentrate on the Bush team's efforts to keep the Hitler matter alive.