Wed, Oct 20, 2004 2:07pm ET

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Hannity distorted meaning of Kerry ad featuring September 11 widow

On October 19, FOX News Channel host Sean Hannity falsely claimed that a Kerry-Edwards '04 campaign ad featuring Kristen Breitweiser, the widow of a victim of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attack on the World Trade Center, "blam[es] George W. Bush for what happened [on September 11]." In fact, in the ad, Breitweiser criticizes President George W. Bush for obstructing the creation of the 9-11 Commission, which was designed to examine what happened on September 11, 2001, and how to prevent future terrorist attacks.

Following is the text from the Kerry-Edwards campaign ad:

BREITWEISER: My husband, Ron, was killed on September 11th. I've spent the last three years trying to find out what happened to make sure it never happens again. I fought for the 9-11 Commission, something George W. Bush, the man my husband Ron and I voted for, didn't think was necessary. And during the commission hearings we learned the truth: We are no safer today. I want to look in my daughter's eyes and know that she is safe, and that is why I am voting for John Kerry.

As Breitweiser suggests in the ad, Bush opposed the creation of the 9-11 Commission. After its creation, Bush also opposed giving the commission additional time to complete its investigation.

Here's what Hannity said in a discussion with Democratic strategist Kirsten Powers on the October 19 edition of FOX News Channel's Hannity & Colmes:

HANNITY: What they've done here is they're exploiting the war on terror and they're basically in that ad blaming George W. Bush for what happened.

[...]

HANNITY: Is George [W.] Bush responsible for what happened?

POWERS: No, and I didn't see anything in there [the ad] saying George [W.] Bush is responsible for 9-11.

HANNITY: What's the suggestion, though, George [W.] Bush didn't keep us safe?

POWERS: What, Sean?

HANNITY: Is that the suggestion? George [W.] Bush didn't keep America safe? George [W.] Bush could have done a better job with that?

POWERS: I just don't see that when I watch the ad.

HANNITY: I do.

—A.S.

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