CNN has this as one of their lead stories - an afterthought becomes the headline:
Bush urges Kerry to condemn attack ads
President denounces ads in general
President Bush on Monday called for the so-called 527 groups to stop airing political ads, but he did not directly condemn commercials by the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth that have attacked Sen. John Kerry's war record.
Speaking to reporters at his Texas ranch, Bush said he has repeatedly condemned 527 ads. These groups are named for the federal provision that makes such organizations tax exempt and allows them to accept unlimited donations.
The president also reissued his call for Kerry to echo his statement about such ads.
"I hope my opponent joins me in condemning these activities of the 527 -- I think they're bad for the system," Bush said.
While Bush has called on Kerry to criticize the harsh campaign ads of 527s in general, the Democratic nominee has not done so. He did recently, however, criticize one MoveOn.org ad that charged Bush used family connections to get into the Texas National Guard and then failed to fulfill his obligations.
