Video: RNC Ad

Sponsor: Republican National Committee

Markets: Florida, California, Tennessee, Michigan, 18 other states

Audio: Why does Al Gore say one thing when the truth is another? His attacks on George W. Bush's Social Security plan: exaggerations. Nonpartisan analysis confirms George Bush's plan sets aside $2.4 trillion to strengthen Social Security. Newspapers say Gore has a problem telling the truth. Now Gore promises smaller government, but Gore is actually proposing three times the spending President Clinton proposed.

Analysis: In essentially calling Gore a liar, the ad tries to discredit the vice president's criticism on Social Security – and, in a second spot, of Bush's Texas record – by reminding viewers of his past exaggerations. Newspapers have certainly questioned Gore's credibility, though one headline shown here is from a Wall Street Journal editorial. The nonpartisan group cited here is Economic Security 2000, whose support for channeling funds into private retirement accounts matches Bush's approach. Bush has pledged to reserve $2.4 trillion for Social Security, but has acknowledged that he would use $1 trillion of that sum to pay for partially privatizing the program. Gore is proposing more spending than Clinton, who faced massive deficits in 1992, but Bush counts about half of Gore's tax cuts as spending increases.

Video: DNC Ad

Sponsor: Democratic National Committee

Markets: Arkansas, Missouri, Iowa, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Washington

Audio: [BUSH]: And our state is the – has done the best – provides some of the best education in the nation, not measured by us but measured by the RAND Corp. [NARRATOR]: Now the new Rand study reports the achievement gap for Texas students is widening. There is serious question about the validity of scores on state tests. Texas students do not show the same gains on national tests. The percentage dropping out or failing a grade is increasing. The author concludes: "The Texas miracle is a myth."

Analysis: The Democrats jumped on this study to try to rebut Bush's claims on one of his signature issues without slamming him personally. Bush accurately described an earlier, positive RAND study on Texas education. The ad fairly summarizes the findings of a RAND report released Tuesday, although the researchers did find some evidence to support Bush's claims. The "myth" line comes from the lead researcher's comment to Reuters. The Bush campaign has challenged the findings, which the study says are just the opinion of the four researchers, and the report's timing.