Bush's Message To 9/11 Families: You Suck

Never mind the anguish of those who lost loved ones. The controversy over Bush's use of 9/11 in campaign ads is just what the White House wanted.

As the Washington Post reports:

"One Bush aide, who insisted on anonymity before discussing strategy, said the controversy helped the campaign frame the race around its preferred subject.

'We have started the campaign the way we wanted to and on the issues we intended, and the conversation around the water cooler is about September 11th again,' the official said. 'We fundamentally need people to remember September 11th and everything it has caused in everyone's life.' "

Bush will attend a "groundbreaking ceremony" at a new 9/11 memorial in New York this week, followed by a fund-raiser in the same town. The Republicans have even scheduled their major yearly convention in New York in early September, just days ahead of the 9/11 anniversary and two months before the USA goes to the polls.

Pull the tasteless 9/11 ads? Not likely - Bush's entire campaign is based on them.

But as the Post also reports, the controversy around the ads is also increasing the pressure for the White House to stop stalling on the 9/11 commision's investigations. Many who lost loved ones say they would not mind so much if Bush were actively co-operating with the commision.