Ad Watch

This 30-second television advertisement, released Thursday, targets Arizona, Florida, Iowa, Louisiana, Michigan, Missouri, Nevada, New Mexico, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Washington, West Virginia and Wisconsin.

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Sponsor: Sen. John F. Kerry of Massachusetts, Democrat for president.

Script: Kerry: “I want to be president of the United States because I love this country and I think it’s going in the wrong direction. People are worried about how they are going to be able to have a retirement. How are you going to have healthcare? Forty-three million Americans don’t even have it. This is wrong. In the richest country on the face of the planet, no American ought to be struggling to be able to have healthcare. It ought to be a right that we make accessible and affordable to every single American. I’m John Kerry and I approved this message.”

Images: The candidate is shown in a town-hall campaign setting. The camera alternates between Kerry and his audience. Of about 14 people shown in close-ups listening to Kerry, 11 are women.

Analysis: This commercial spotlights a traditional Democratic domestic goal -- universal healthcare -- at a time when national security and Iraq are dominating the campaign debate. It draws attention to troubles facing the uninsured and millions more who fear losing coverage. Buttressing Kerry’s claim that, in contrast to President Bush, he is running a positive TV campaign, the ad does not mention Bush and faults his leadership on healthcare only obliquely. It focuses instead on Kerry’s proposal to expand health coverage and reduce premiums. According to an independent analysis, his plan would cost an estimated $653 billion over 10 years. It would be funded in part by tax increases on families making more than $200,000 annually.

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Compiled by Times staff writer Nick Anderson