Washington – Family members of four US soldiers killed in Iraq denounce President George W Bush for taking the country to war, in TV ads to be aired next week in key battleground states, organisers said on Wednesday.
The ads, produced by a political action committee called Real Voices.org, are being launched into the heated campaign debate between Bush and Democratic challenger John Kerry over Iraq.
The black-and-white ads each focus on a family member talking about their lost loved one, and blaming Bush.
“George W Bush lied and that lie led to the death of my son,” said Cindy Sheehan, who appeared at a press conference here with other family members to promote the ad campaign. “The president and his advisers rushed the country into war needlessly.”
Her son, 24-year-old army specialist Casey Sheehan, was killed in an ambush in Baghdad on April 4.
The spot also features Sergeant Sherwood Baker, 30, a Pennsylvania national guardsman killed on April 26 in Baghdad, organisers said.
His brother, Raphael Zappala, said Baker was “betrayed by the lies of his commander-in-chief” and “died trying to make an honest man out of George W Bush, needlessly.”
Nadia McCaffrey’s son, 35-year-old Sergeant Patrick McCaffrey, was killed in an ambush on June 24, leaving behind two children.
“Who is responsible,” McCaffrey said. “Only one person: George W Bush.”
Jane Bright recalls the loss of her son Evan Ahsraft, and chastises Bush for his “foolish taunt” – “Bring ’em on.”
Organisers said the group has bought 200 000 dollars in air time, but plans to increase that as they raise more money.
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