Silence of the Wolves, and Their Ilk, in Swing States
A record-setting barrage of political ads that hit a feverish pitch in the final week is all over.
By Nick Anderson
Times Staff Writer

November 2, 2004

WASHINGTON — In one of his last television commercials before the election, President Bush waxed eloquent and emotional on the sacrifices of the U.S. military and his zeal to defend the country. In another, wolves lurked in a forest — symbolizing terrorists on the loose — as a narrator denounced Sen. John F. Kerry for proposing to cut funding for spy agencies.

New data released Monday on airtime purchased for campaign advertisements show which spot Bush favored for his closing pitch.

The president spent about $53,000 one day late last week to air the uplifting pro-Bush ad called "Whatever it Takes," an independent report for The Times found. He spent about $758,000 that same day to air the anti-Kerry ad called "Wolves."