RNC ad campaign to defend Bush

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- In response to Democratic television advertisements accusing President Bush of "raiding" Social Security and Medicare, Republicans this week are expected to begin an ad campaign in his defense.

"Sadly the Democrats are misleading people and attacking President Bush," said Virginia Gov. Jim Gilmore, chairman of the Republican National Committee. "As a matter of principle, we feel the American people have a right to the truth, which is that President Bush is working hard to rescue our economy, protect Social Security and Medicare and eliminate the national debt."

The Democratic National Committee ads -- which ran August 21 and 22 -- accuse Bush of jeopardizing Social Security and Medicare. The central allegation is the budget surpluses that have shrunk from a projected $281 billion in February to $158 billion in August, according to a White House report.

RESOURCES Message Board: Taxing and spending: Bush budget

Democrats argue this reduction brings the budget close to spending excess Social Security revenue, something Bush has vowed never to do.

"The Bush budget violates one of (former President) Harry Truman's basic principles -- protecting seniors," the Democratic ad says.

The Democrats also say the smaller surplus means Washington is spending funds Republicans had vowed to set aside for all Medicare expenses. To cover Social Security tax revenue and Medicare operating expenses would require a surplus of roughly $207 billion, Democrats say.

The RNC ad refutes those claims.

"He's (Bush) protected every penny of Medicare and Social Security and still left the second biggest surplus in history," the ad says. "But Democrats, who for years supported budgets that spent all Social Security money and left no surplus, are now launching partisan, misleading attacks on President Bush. Tell them America's had enough infighting and hypocrisy. America needs solutions."

The GOP ad is scheduled to begin airing Monday in selected markets. The RNC said it will consider expanding the ad campaign.

The DNC ad also ran in selected markets such as Washington and Waco, Texas, which is near Bush's ranch in Crawford, where he has been taking a monthlong vacation set to end this week.