Washington — Responding to criticism about the use of September 11th footage in his new campaign ads, President Bush today defended his right to use these and related events as re-election fodder.

“Look, the whole September 11th thing was my fault anyway,” said Bush. “Why would people have a problem with exploiting it for my own gain? This wouldn’t have happened unless I was in office, so it sure seems like I should be able benefit from such a tragedy.”

Several groups have recently complained that the use of this type of material in a campaign is tasteless, vulgar and immoral.

“Tasteless, vulgar and immoral? Haven’t people been saying that about the political system since our nation was born?” responded Bush. “I, and my father before me, have seen the power in using national tragedies and wars as checker pieces in the great dance of politics.”

Sources close to the Bush campaign call this the first of many “wool-over-the-eyes” victories they expect during this election year. The American people are largely incapable of processing two pieces of information simultaneously, a fact that has long kept inept politicians in office. The new ads have drawn attention away from many other facets of the Bush campaign as well as the Administration itself.

“We are a nation under attack. We are a nation that must live in fear,” said Bush. “But we are fighting a war on terror, a war on the unpatriotic, a war on war. This administration has fought this color-coded war for the people, and we will continue to provide the pseudo comfort we have brought to the last 4 years. If re-elected, I will continue to remember war and tragedy and I will continue to remind you about war and tragedy and together we will remember war and tragedy.”

New ads featuring dead babies, burned suburban homes, camels, soldiers and lots of American flags are set to begin airing next month.