Presidential candidate Aaron Russo releasing TV commercials nationwide urging Americans to resist military draft

Los Angeles -- Aaron Russo, contender for the Libertarian nomination for president and producer of movies "The Rose" and "Trading Places," has made the "pending" draft a primary campaign issue. He has two television commercials that aim at alerting the public that both political parties are encouraging forced national service for young men and women.

Russo said, "I would like to personally thank Mr. Nader for jumping onboard with me in bringing this issue to the forefront. I’d like to see him personally join the thousands of others who have signed our petition and urge his supporters to do the same. Although we disagree on some issues, we should join forces to make certain the American public knows that a military draft is imminent. We must not allow this unjustified preemptive war in Iraq to spread like cancer, destroying the youth of America."

Saturday, a message appeared at VoteNader.org informing students about the upcoming military draft.

Russo responded to John Kerry’s "Call to Service" saying, "It is notable that Kerry failed to use the word ‘mandatory’ in his statement, while he openly uses it on his web site. Bush is currently staffing draft boards and approving an increased budget. Being the only third-party candidate on the ballot in all 50 states, I will make the military draft a primary issue in the 2004 election. I call on Bush and Kerry to sign a pledge that under their leadership, America will not have a draft."

In an article at NewsMax.com, as well as in his public appearances, Russo continues to raise public awareness about the issue. In an audio appeal on his web site, Russo says, "We open the newspaper and see John Kerry demanding "national service" and Hillary Clinton wailing about the 'inadequacy' of a volunteer military and George W. Bush staffing the draft boards."

There are currently campaign plans for campus rallies across the country where students will be burning fake draft cards.

Russo emphasizes that the current draft legislation will impact both young men and women alike, saying, "Make no mistake about it, both political parties are coming for your sons and daughters. As president, I will end the war and stop the military draft."