The ad, a copy of which has been posted on the group's website, compares [John F. Kerry], a Massachusetts senator, unfavorably to Reagan and [Bush], using footage and quotes from all three.

Next comes a clip of Bush at the site of the World Trade Center after the 2001 terrorist attacks. After firefighters and search crews chant, "USA! USA! USA!" Bush says through a bullhorn: "I can hear you, the rest of the world hears you, and the people who knocked down these buildings will hear from you soon."

In comments after Reagan's death, many Republicans depicted Bush as the heir to Reagan's conservative mantle. But Bush campaign officials have not signaled any intention of running advertisements with Reagan's image.