Illustration by Bob AulIt may soon be called the June Surprise: as George W. Bush's poll numbers sagged, Ronald Reagan died, and, days later, the conservative Club for Growth began running TV ads that attempt to turn W into Reagan's 21st-century equivalent. Associated Press reports, “The Club for Growth's ad, which is to begin airing Wednesday [June 16], portrays both Republican presidents as leaders—Reagan on communism and Bush on terrorism—while claiming Kerry was 'wrong then, wrong now' on national security.” But the Reagan family has reportedly asked the Club for Growth to pull the ad. According to Salon, a “family spokeswoman said no one requested permission to use Reagan's image in an ad, nor would permission be granted because it would imply that he endorsed one candidate over another.”
