Virginia Rep. Tom Perriello's latest ad tries to hit his Republican opponent on ties to lobbyists; Delaware Rep. Mike Castle lumps all of his Senate primary challenger Christine O'Donnell's flaws into one 30-second spot; South Carolina Republican gubernatorial nominee Nikki Haley releases her first general election ad; and in Wisconsin, Republican gubernatorial candidate Mark Neumann responds to an attack ad by primary opponent Scott Walker tying Neumann to Nancy Pelosi.
VA-5, Perriello, "Lobbyists' Best Friend"
9/7
LOBBYIST: Us lobbyists? Big supporters of Senator Hurt. His ten years in office, he's learned the game. You write him a check, he does what we say. Senator Hurt has helped us raise your electric rates again and again. Every time you turn on the lights, more money in our pockets. More money in his. But this Perriello guy? Doesn't take lobbyist dollars. And he keeps voting for the people instead of the powerful. PERRIELLO: Lobbyists don't need another friend in Washington. I'm Tom Perriello. And I support this message because no one will fight harder for you.
AR SEN, Lincoln, "Congressman Boozman's Big Idea"
9/3
LINCOLN: "I'm Blanche Lincoln and I approve this message." ANNCR: "A 23 percent national sales tax. It's Congressman's Boozman's big idea. During his nine years in Congress, he sponsored not one but two bills replacing the income tax with a 23 percent national sales tax on everything you buy: food, cars, houses, farms, student loans. A lot more taxes on the middle class, a lot less on the wealthy. John Boozman. Bad for Arkansas's economy"
DE SEN, Castle, "Snapshot"
9/7
ANNCR: Do you recognize this Delaware politician? Here's some hints. According to the News-Journal, she didn't pay thousands in income taxes. Had to be sued by a university for thousands of unpaid debts. Defaulted on her mortgage. She ran up a huge campaign debt, and left vendors and staff unpaid while using campaign funds to pay her own rent and personal expenses. Say hello to Christine O'Donnell.
MO SEN, Blunt, "Small Business Success"
9/6
BLUNT: "Laurie's grandfather started to work in cleaners in 1918. Right now she'd like to hire two more workers. But the uncertain costs of government-run health care and job-killing ideas, like a new energy tax, are destroying job growth. (Sec/State) Robin Carnahan (D) supports the Obama agenda. I don't. My jobs plan's based on lower taxes, less red tape, more American energy, and encouraging small business to do what they do best: create jobs. Read my plan at Royblunt.com. I'm Roy Blunt, and I approve this message"
NH SEN, Binnie, "Fact"
9/2
BINNIE: "I'm Bill Binnie. This is where I stand and what I've done. Fact -- I've created businesses and employed thousands. Fact -- I have never moved American jobs out of our country. Fact -- I will secure borders, say no to amnesty and make English our national language. Fact -- I will defend our second amendment rights. Fact -- I will vote for and support conservative judges. Fact -- I will focus on fixing our economy. I'm Bill Binnie, and I approved this message"
NH SEN, Hodes, "Hotdog"
9/7
HODES: "I'm Paul Hodes and I wanted to give you an idea of how they like to spend money in Washington. So we came here to the Winnipesaukee Pier in New Hampshire. This is what I see every day in Congress. It's why I voted against the Wall Street bailouts. I'm working to bring back the Gramm-Rudman spending limits. I refuse to take earmarks and I voted against every single congressional pay raise. I approve this message because you deserve a senator who's a real fiscal conservative -- and who gets rid of the pork"
NV SEN, Reid, "Worse"
9/7
ANNCR: We know what shattered the economy. Wall Street greed and CEOs shipping jobs overseas, the cost of foreign oil and Bush economics. But Sharron Angle's blaming Harry Reid. Come on. Sharron Angle's the one who opposed Wall Street reform. Wants to protect tax breaks for companies that shipped jobs overseas. And says it's not her job to create jobs. ANGLE: I'm not in the business of creating jobs. ANNCR: That's Sharron Angle. Extreme ideas. That will make things worse.
PA SEN, Toomey, "Bailout"
9/7
TOOMEY: "I'm Pat Toomey and I approve this message. I worked on Wall Street just out of college and left twenty years ago. That was before my brothers and I started a small business in Allentown. Way back then, I learned that Wall Street's the last place that should ever get a taxpayer bailout." ANNCR: "Congressman Joe Sestak voted for the Wall Street bailout. Then, Sestak took thousands of dollars from the same Wall Street banks he bailed out. Joe Sestak - too liberal with our money."
PA SEN, Toomey, "Focus"
9/7
TOOMEY: "Just a few months ago, Kris and I had our third child. There's really nothing like the wonder of a new baby to focus your attention on the future. I'll always be optimistic about America, but I worry about the direction we're heading -- too much debt, not enough jobs, and the Washington politicians are making it worse. I'm Pat Toomey. I approve this message because I know we can do better, and I have a pretty good reason for wanting to."
CA GOV, Brown," JB401"
9/2
ANNCR: "As governor he cut waste, got rid of the mansion and the limo. Budgets were balanced. $4 billion in tax cuts. World-class schools and universities. Clean energy promoted. 1.9 million new jobs created. California was working." BROWN: "I'm Jerry Brown. California needs major changes. We have to live within our means. We have to return power and decision-making to the local level, closer to the people. And no new taxes without voter approval." ANNCR: "Jerry Brown. The knowledge and know-how to get California working again"
FL GOV, pro-Scott (FL GOP/RGA), "Whatever it Takes"
9/3
ANNCR: "Attention Florida voters: here are your official orders from Washington." OBAMA CLIP: "I need to raise money, I need you to walk and knock on doors. Whatever it takes to make sure that Alex Sink is the next governor of Florida." ANNCR: "Maybe that's because Sink supported Obama's government takeover of healthcare, or because Sink supported Obama's trillion-dollar stimulus bill, the one that gave us big debts and no jobs. What will Obama do to make sure liberal Alex Sink is the next governor of Florida?" OBAMA CLIP: "Whatever it takes."
GA GOV, Barnes, "Investigation"
9/6
ANNCR: "A group of Republicans and Democrats finally found something to agree on: an investigation of Congressman Deal. He resigned to stop the investigation, but it continues. Congressman Deal. Will he spend more time in court than an office?"
ID GOV, Allred, "Keith's Values'
9/6
ANNCR: "A fifth-generation Idahoan. At 16, the lone hand on his grandpa's cattle ranch. A family man. A sportsman. A concerned citizen. Not a politician. Keith Allred." ALLRED: "I'm Keith Allred. I founded a nonpartisan citizen's group. We cut property taxes for Idaho homeowners and stopped Butch Otter's gas tax and registration fee hikes. I'll be a governor of, by and for the people. Not of, by and for special interests." ANNCR: "Keith Allred"
IA GOV, Branstad, "Big Bad Debt"
9/6
CHORUS: "Big Debt Mmmmmm mmmmm." ANNCR: "In Iowa, we call our Governor Chet, said he give us jobs but what we got was big debt." CHORUS: "Big Debt -- big bad debt." ANNCR: "His I jobs plan's more than a billion in cost, while thousands of Iowans have jobs that are lost. And Ole' Chet's spent a couple billion more'n he's taken in, pushin' property taxes so high it's a sin." CHORUS: "Big debt." ANNCR: "That's all we get from old Governor Chet." CHORUS: "Big bad debt"
MD GOV, Ehrlich, "Let's Get to Work"
9/3
EHRLICH: "I'm Bob Ehrlich. I'm not the kind of guy who likes to hang on the sidelines. Today, Maryland is in trouble. We're worse off than we were four years ago. Dangerous Debt, Higher Taxes, Not enough jobs. We need real leadership to turn this state around." MOTHER: "Fix the budget, honestly." BUSINESS OWNER: "Grow small businesses, really." STUDENT: "Excellent schools, everywhere." FISHERMAN: "Protect the bay, finally." EHRLICH: "It's why I'm running. To make the state we love, not just good, but great. Now let's get down to work"
MD GOV, Murphy, "Refuse to Settle"
9/3
MURPHY: "I'm Brian Murphy, Republican candidate for governor of Maryland. I'm running to fix the budget -- for them, and for you. America is made up of families setting out, chasing their dreams, opening small businesses -- and as a small businessman, I know how difficult it is to be an entrepreneuer in Maryland. In the last eight years, the entreprenurial spirit has been choked in Maryland. Our last two governors forgot their role and put us where we are. We can do better. We need a governor who understands that small business is the heart and soul of Maryland. So vote Brian Murphy September 14th. Thank you and God bless you"
MN GOV, Horner,"Picture"
9/3
HORNER: "The Republican candidate for governor only looks too far to the right, so he only sees part of the picture. And the Democratic candidate is only looking too far left. Most of us would agree that we need a governor who sees the whole picture. I'm Tom Horner. I'll use common-sense solutions to get Minnesota back to work"
MN GOV, anti-Dayton (MN Forward), "Don't Let Mark Dayton Knock Us Down"
9/6
ANNCR: "Feel surprised? A bit frustrated? Scared? That's how Minnesotans feel when they hear Mark Dayton's bad ideas. Dayton will raise taxes by $5 billion. Higher income taxes. Higher property taxes. He even supported a tax on email. Dayton wants more government spending and thinks ideas to reduce wasteful spending are idiotic. Dayton's plans will hurt Minnesota's economy. We can't afford to let Mark Dayton knock us down"
RI GOV, Caprio, "Lincoln Chafee Doesn't Get It"
9/7
ANNCR: "We're hurting -- struggling to pay the mortgage and pay the bills. But Lincoln Chafee doesn't seem to notice. Chafee's tax plan hits those who can least afford it the hardest, squeezing seniors and the middle class with a new tax on groceries, a tax on clothes for your kids, prescription drugs, even gas at the pump. He may not feel it, but we sure do. Lincoln Chafee just doesn't get it"
SC GOV, Haley, "Movement"
9/7
ANNCR: All across South Carolina, there's a movement taking hold. ASSORTED SUPPORTERS: It's a movement to take back our government. To include people who have been left out. To make Columbia accountable for how it spends our money. To stop talking about creating jobs and to start doing it. HALEY: To give us honest conservative government we can be proud of. ANNCR: Nikki Haley for governor. Join the movement.
WI GOV, Walker, "Congressman Neumann"
9/7
ANNCR: Mark Neumann says he's against government spending. But in 1998, Congressman Neumann voted for one of the largest transportation bills in history. A bill that contained 9 billion dollars in pork barrel spending, including funding for the infamous Bridge to Nowhere, and a highway in Canada. You know who else voted for that 9 billion dollars in pork barrel spending? Mmmhmm. Nancy Pelosi. NEUMANN: Hi folks. ANNCR: Take a closer look at Mark Neumann. Remind you of anyone?
WI GOV, Neumann, "Honored"
9/7
NEUMANN: Hi folks, I'm Mark Neumann. Scott Walker claims I'm Nancy Pelosi? He must be kidding. In Congress back in the '90's I fought to cut spending so hard the leaders of my own party kicked me off the appropriations committee. Negative attacks are for career politicians. Scott Walker, 16 year career in politics from Milwaukee. I've spent 26 years building a business. Instead of negative attacks, I'll focus on our conservative plan to cut spending and cut taxes. I'd be honored to have your support.


All incumbents need all the support they can get to shield them from the wacky Tea Baggers. Tea Baggers will drag anyone off the street out of revenge for their giddy notion of power.
The ad war begins. Every voter should listen and watch, then fact check before making a decision. I am seeing an ad warning about energy taxes, telling Iowa voters to call Chuck Grassley and tell him no new taxes on energy--don't give BP a handout. Trouble is, reading who is sponsoring this ad at the bottom in small letters and white print is nearly impossible and makes it worth checking the facts. Is the BP handout language just a disguise to throw voters off regarding clean energy proposals? I think it might be.
Countdown to Election 2010.
The bi-annual "democrats will raise your taxes" GOP campaign begins officially today, the day after Labor Day. Their campaign will include the bi-annual illegal immigrant outrage (they never fix it), the small government is good government, and the "fear" flavor of the year. This year will include many references to socialists, Marxists, communists, and fascists for good measure and lively conversation. The questions for those out stumping for your vote should be: what have the republicans done to solve the economic crisis, what have they done to help Americans?
Front and center is taxes. The Bush tax cuts voted for by republicans and a few blue dog democrats via reconciliation (evil only when democrats use it) are set to expire Dec 31, 2010. The date was voted for by Congress and signed by Pres Bush. Republicans knew these tax cuts were unsustainable and would add to the national debt. If they really believed what they say now--why didn't they vote to make them permanent anytime between 2001 through 2006? Obviously, why waste a perfectly good opportunity to again label democrats as the "tax and spend" party.
The problem with the Bush tax cuts is that 50% went to 2% of the richest among us. Democrats want to extend the tax cuts for 98% of Americans but not extend the cuts to the 2% wealthiest. Republicans must feel those 2% are in dire financial trouble because they vow to block (nothing new here--obstruct) any attempt to extend the cuts to 98% UNLESS the rich are included. According to republican legislators, tax cuts do not require spending cuts--especially the Bush cuts because they are already in place. Ask those GOP lawmakers stumping for your vote to explain this.
Yes, the Bush tax cuts are in place and they added $1.3 trillion to the debt. To extend the cuts for 2% of the population alone would add another $680 billion to the debt. For every $1 spent on tax cuts, we get $.23 return on the dollar. Not much bang for the buck. Not all of the Bush tax cuts should expire in a recession year but it is hard to justify extending them for 2% of the population which does not need them.
The puzzle for me is not the argument of legislators but rather ordinary people, mostly republicans. I seriously doubt that many FR posters are part of the richest 2%. Why does anyone defend 98% of Americans subsidizing tax cuts for the rich? That is exactly what it is--subsidizing. Those cuts for 2% of the population are a doubled-edged sword because they impact everything else from infrastructure, education, military, veterans. WE are subsidizing the rich with borrowed money to give them, their children and grandchildren more.
What about the 98% rest of us? What do we get in this bargain? What do our children and grandchildren get in return?
Jody, Iowa
Thanks Jody
I will do that as I usually try to
Every voter should listen and watch, then fact check before making a decision. One add that particulary upsets me is this one.
http://tinyurl.com/25ua87g
it is another persuavise confusing ad paid for by the multi-billionaires over at the American Petroleum Institute made for Tea Baggers and low
information voters,
MSNBC a liberal station play it; you would expect ads lie that on FOX
Holy mackerel! BP has a very long history of serious safety and regulatory violations that have led to repeated oil and chemical spills, severe worker injuries ranging from burns to paralysis, and, in the case of BP, a number of worker fatalities. To ask companies that drill for gas and oil in U.S. waters, the profits are so great, and the penalties so small for safety violations.
Jody, Iowa
Thanks Jody
I will do that as I usually try to
Every voter should listen and watch, then fact check before making a decision. One add that particulary upsets me is this one.
http://tinyurl.com/25ua87g
It is another persuavise confusing ad paid for by the multi-billionaires over at the American Petroleum Institute made for Tea Baggers and low
infostrong>
MSNBC a liberal station playss it; you would expect ads lie that on FOX
Holy mackerel! BP has a very long history of serious safety and regulatory violations that have led to repeated oil and chemical spills, severe worker injuries ranging from burns to paralysis, and, in the case of BP, a number of worker fatalities. To ask companies that drill for gas and oil in U.S. waters, the profits are so great, and the penalties so small for safety violations.
What is with this deer in the headlights persona that the Dems are taking on!? It's the midterms for goodness sakes. Stand up. Fight. Otherwise, the crack pots take over. Just go for it Democrats. Don't hold back. And take no issue with what the GOP says back. They have literally nothing to be proud of. We have an inspiring intelligent President.
John Kerry did not fight back when he was swiftboated. Don't do it again. Learn from it. These people running in the GOP are stupid, they are liars, they are fear mongers, they have no ideas. And most importantly, they don't care.
And Scarborough, the President looks weak? Not so. The weak ones are the band of candidates in the GOP. The party you belong to. The day this country agrees with your party is the day I am 100% ashamed of my country.
Don't forget guys - One Nation - October 2nd.
Dick Armey, The Man Without A Soul
What a sad sad story about this little child Kyler. And the only person I can think about right now is Dick Armey. This is such a tragedy. And the GOP wants to repeal health care? They put their money into railing against fictious grandparents' death panels, instead of using their millions and millions of dollars towards ensuring that help was given, nonstop, to treating sick children like little Kyler.
Because this is exactly what they did; they exploited the teabaggers by opting to use their money to protect the insurance companies, with the teabaggers' help and assistance.
How many Kyler stories are out there right now, this minute? If America can't take care of her sick children and instead be at the beck and call of insurance companies, then we're no better than a third world country.
Fight back Democrats. With everything you have. Who cares about Fox and Scarborough and Limbaugh and Palin and Bachmann? Fight for the American people who are looking to you to beat these SOBs. Especially the younger generations. Do it.