PORTLAND (AP) – President Bush’s re-election campaign planned to begin broadcasting television commercials on Tuesday tailored specifically to Maine.

The TV spot in Maine is one of nine state-specific commercials the Bush-Cheney campaign has planned, and many political leaders wonder if it might be an indication of the state’s importance in the upcoming presidential election.

The 30-second commercial, called “Maine Weapons,” accuses Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry of having a “troubling” record on national security. It is part of a two-week touring initiative to cast doubts on Kerry’s security credentials.

The ads, aired in Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Michigan, Missouri, Ohio, Pennsylvania and New Hampshire, mention specific statewide concerns.

In Maine, the commercials will mention Bath Iron Works.

The spots will begin airing five days after Bush visited Maine.

Sandy Maisel, director of the Goldfarb Center for Public Affairs and Civic Engagement at Colby College, said the commercials are a striking political move.

“They have basically tailored ads to each of the different states looking at particular weapons systems that are built in each state, which is a fascinating technique,” Maisel said. “I think it is probably a pretty effective campaigning technique.”

The Maine advertisement alleges “Kerry wanted to cancel Aegis Warships built here in Maine at Bath Iron Works.”

The Kerry campaign called the ad “the latest example of misleading America” and noted that the senator is a decorated combat veteran.

Kathy Roeder, a Kerry campaign spokeswoman, said that the Bush campaign is attempting to manipulate Kerry’s votes and divert attention from appearances this week before the commission investigating the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11.

Members of Bush’s campaign disagree.

“The one thing that’s very consistent about John Kerry is that every single statement he makes, he tries to qualify a glaring hole in his record or leaves enough wiggle room out,” said spokesman Kevin Madden.

AP-ES-04-27-04 0216EDT