Fox network representatives have informed Brian Ellner’s campaign that they will not run his ad because it is “disrespectful” to President Bush.

In a voice-over openly critical of the president’s war and education policies, Ellner’s spot shows Bush’s face superimposed on a middle-aged man’s naked upper torso, then suggesting that the “the emperor has no clothes.”

At the end of the commercial, Ellner introduces his partner, Simon Holloway. Ellner’s campaign staff says they believe it is the first time in the city’s history that a gay candidate has introduced a same-sex partner in a campaign commercial.

According to Ellner’s campaign, the Fox affiliate was “the only local station to reject the advertisement out of roughly 15 network or cable affiliates – including NY1 News, WABC and WNBC.”

If Bush doesn’t have to be respectful, it’s not fair to require anyone else to do so either.

Read more on Brian’s Blog here and here.

See the ad Fox refuses to air here.