Dems Rat Out Bush To FCC

A pair of Democratic senators is complaining to the Federal Communications Commission about a Republican ad that subtly flashes the word "rats" across the screen.

The ad is already coming off the air, but Sens. Ron Wyden of Oregon and John Breaux of Louisiana are asking for an investigation.

"One frame out of 900 hardly in my judgment makes a conspiracy," George W. Bush said in Orlando, Fla. on Tuesday. The Republican presidential nominee said he took the word of the admaker that no subliminal message was intended. GOP officials said the ad was being taken off the air as previously planned.

In the latest PR flap to hit the Texan's campaign, the ad by the Republican National Committee (RNC) has prompted Democrats to cry foul.

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Putting the "rats" in bureaucrats.

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In 1974, the FCC adopted a policy saying that subliminal advertising was contrary to the public interest. Officials at the FCC said Tuesday that they had not received a complaint about the GOP ad but would investigate if one were filed.

The FCC has no power over the Republican National Committee, which aired the ad for more than two weeks, or any other political campaign. But it does control the licenses of television stations that air the ad. TV stations are not supposed to air material that is not in the public interest.

The controversy was first picked up a by Democrat in Seattle who noticed something peculiar about an ad about prescription drugs sponsored by the RNC, but approved by the Bush camp. When it's played at regular speed, it's difficult to pick up anything unusual, but under close analysis, it seems to be taking a cheap shot.

The text of the ad reads: "Gore opposed bipartisan reform. He's pushing a big government plan that lets Washington bureaucrats interfere with what your doctors prescribe. The Gore prescription plan: bureaucrats decide. The Bush prescription plan: seniors choose."

When the ad is played back slowly, frame by frame, one can clearly see that the word "bureaucrats" resolves for a split second, and the word "rats" is front and center.

"I am convinced this is not intentional," Bush said as he arrived in Orlando for a day of campaigning in Florida on Tuesday. "You don't need to play, you know, cute politics."

As for the idea of subliminal messages in general, the Texas governor said, "To put people's minds at ease ... this kind of practicis not acceptable."

"Conspiracy theories abound in American politics," Bush added. "I don't think we need to be subliminal about prescription drugs."

Counterspin Frustrated Republicans say a New York Times story on the Bush campaign's "rats" offensive is revenge for the governor's "major league" gaffe.

Gore said, "I think it's a disappointing development. I've never seen anything like it." Likewise, running mate Joe Lieberman called the ad "very disappointing and strange."

The RNC denied suggestions the GOP was using subliminal advertising.