and the ad could have been done better without the pictures of the coffins, the helmet and the rifle.

The Civil War, and Viet Nam tore America in half...pitted brother against brother, fathers against sons. The military runs very deep in America, so too does pride in their nation. Why do what Rove et al has done and divide the country? Bring the country together without using the same tactics the Republicans have used. Pictures of the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, President Lincoln, and FDR could be substituted and achieve better results. The democrats can truly be uniters instead of dividers! The country needs to be reminded of how great they were before the present bozo was elected. Right that voter error and get back on track.

How 'bout this ... a picture of an empty chair at the UN that desperately needs to be filled and was filled so well in the past. Americans do like to take responsibility for their actions and feel they are in control. That chair not being filled is missed as much by their allies as it is by Americans who wish the leadership was in that HUGE chair--she is the lone superpower and her leadership is sorely missed! She is greatly loved by the world and countries yearn to once again demonstrate that affection, but they can't if they're shoved away. Are there any pics of all the flags at the UN at half mast? What a powerful message that would send. Almost nothing would need to be said--the image itself would be strong enough.

Lots of stuff that could have been said that wasn't that is more powerful. FDR's, "Only Thing We Have to Fear Is Fear Itself." after an appropriate picture. So many great quotes that stir the hearts and souls of Americans without restorting to more divisiveness.

Just stop with the appeals to the lowest common denominator...bring the rhetoric up where Americans can feel pride once again. Of course, it would be the Democrats that would be needed in power to bring that to fruition. :-) Ditch Clinton at the end too! Lots of Presidential alternatives that don't have his baggage with the voters. Jeez, I hope he isn't the one they're counting on to pay for their ads!!! :-)

achieves nothing. A lot of people won't admit when they make a mistake in judgement and some who voted for this administration may legitimately be angry that their trust was betrayed.

The 2004 election was won with negative ads, dissension, swiftboating, resulting in red (cons) and blue (libs) states. Pitting people against each other causes more friction. Partisan politics demanded that citizens wear their patriotism on their sleeves instead of in their hearts. For America's sake, leaders have to put such tactics behind them and heal the nation.

Great Presidents and leaders have arisen to do precisely that -- Washington built a nation after the Revolutionary War, hate and old grudges were set aside after the civil war, Lincoln set the policy so it could occur, FDR's new deal brought America out of the Great Depression. There have been a succession of failed Presidents: LBJ, Nixon, Carter, Bush I, Bush II ... the time is overdue for a President who can put them into the obscurity they deserve. Pendulums swing in history and now is the time for America to put terrorism into perspective. Mankind inherently strives toward freedom and away from injustice. The words and ideals that were written bv the founders in their marvellous documents that have guided them are as relevant today as they were more than 200 years ago. The dark days need to recede so time can move the nation and its people toward its bright future.

Kennedy said, "Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country." The call to those ideals ring through despair and anger.

The ugly periods don't dominate American history. A President that espouses high ideals will defeat the climate of fear this administration caused. There is nothing to be gained by holding people 'accountable'. The electorate know in their hearts, there was a failure. Remedies are what is needed to rectify the damage that was done. I would not be in favour of punishing President Bush--best treated as if he and his administration had never existed. Positive campaigns will work miracles.

As a non-American, one would think it would be easy to forget the goodness that was there...it can't be done, the memories of better days are too strong. But there were periods of anger it was tempting to write them off. Drat...my grandchildren, because of parents such as myself and the education system, know this period isn't characteristic. Ideals die hard in the minds of men, in books and great legal documents. My grandchildren and the grandchildren in America that haven't met as yet need to be given the opportunity to come together to experience what has been experienced by generations before them, and written about as having the promise of a better universe. The American dream isn't a fantasy; hope dwells in mankind.

Some see the glass as half empty, others see it as half full.

a slice of lime and a couple of ice cubes! :-)