March 4 (Bloomberg) -- President George W. Bush's spokesman defended the use of images from the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks in political advertising after some relatives of victims said the campaign is exploiting the tragedy.

The ads to promote Bush' re-election, which include video clip of firefighters carrying a flag-draped stretcher through the rubble of the World Trade Center, reinforce the shared grief of the nation, White House press secretary Scott McClellan said.

``Sept. 11 was a defining moment for our nation,'' McClellan told reporters as Bush flew to Bakersfield, California, for an economic speech. ``It was vital to our future that we learn what Sept. 11 taught us.''

The ads are being broadcast beginning today on cable television networks and some local stations as Bush, 57, starts his general election campaign against Massachusetts Senator John Kerry, 60, who has a solid hold on the Democratic nomination.

``I think it's exploiting the families and our country,'' said Mary Fetchet, whose son, Bradley Fetchet, was among the employees of investment bank Keefe Bruyette & Woods Inc. killed at the World Trade Center.

Fetchet, co-founder of the victims' advocacy group Voices of September 11, said she also is concerned about politicians using the World Trade Center site as a backdrop during the August 2004 Republican National Convention in New York.

`Inappropriate'

``Three thousand people were murdered there, it shouldn't be a backdrop for the convention,'' she said. ``It's inappropriate and it's nothing he should be proud of.''

The International Association of Firefighters, which is backing Kerry, also criticized the ads, releasing a statement that called use of the images ``disgraceful.''

Kerry yesterday said Bush has shortchanged the budget for police and firefighters who would be the first to respond to a new attack and hasn't taken adequate steps to make sure cargo coming into the U.S. is checked.

``People deserve more than words and empty promises, and we deserve an honest discussion about what we can afford to do and what we can't afford to do on national security,'' Kerry said at a town hall meeting in Orlando, Florida.

Democratic Party officials in four states -- Michigan, West Virginia, Nevada and New Hampshire -- said they were planning news conferences and other events to highlight their criticism of the advertising campaign and Bush's economic policies, according to a statement from the Democratic National Committee.

To contact the reporter on this story: Heidi Przybyla in Los Angeles at hprzybyla@bloomberg.net.

Last Updated: March 4, 2004 14:20 EST