Bush Ads Pulled Over Legal Glitch
President Bush’s first campaign television commercials almost broke the law and had to be pulled, Advertising Age reported in its current issue, published Monday.
The Bush-Quayle campaign had to withdraw the first versions of the 30- and 60-second ads, slated to run until the Republican convention opens Monday in Houston, because they opened with the presidential seal, the advertising trade journal said.
Federal law prohibits use of the seal in any fashion that suggests sponsorship or approval. Violations can result in up to six months in jail and a fine of $250.
The campaign scrambled to retrieve the commercials, edited them to exclude the seal and sent them out again, Advertising Age said. The campaign told the magazine the ads were revised and corrected before they were broadcast.
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