NationalJournal.com's Ad Spotlight

Wednesday, October 8, 2008

The Week In Political Ads

Filed under Senate Race
Posted at 6:00 PM

All ad summary and tip sheet pages are available to subscribers only.

Alaska Senate (tip sheet)

• The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee alleges Sen. Ted Stevens (R) did political favors for his brother-in-law in "Maverick?"

Louisiana Senate (tip sheet)

• In "Bermuda," Sen. Mary Landrieu (D) attacks John Kennedy (R) for his ties to an insurance company.

Maine Senate (tip sheet)

• Democratic Rep. Tom Allen focuses on the economy in two new ads, calling for a "New Direction" from leaders in Washington and slamming the Bush administration's fiscal policies in "What We Need."

• The DSCC goes after Republican incumbent Susan Collins in "Know," saying she is just more of the same when the country needs change.

Mississippi Senate (tip sheet)

• The National Republican Senatorial Campaign Committee assails former Democratic Gov. Ronnie Musgrove's record in "Colorful," blaming him for job losses and linking him to attorney Dickie Scruggs, who has been convicted of bribery.

New Hampshire Senate (tip sheet)

• Referencing the financial crisis, the announcer in "Serious" contends that former Democratic Gov. Jeanne Shaheen's record proves she's qualified to improve New Hampshire's economy.

• "Common Sense," from incumbent Sen. John Sununu (R), blames Shaheen for not anticipating the financial crisis and claims Sununu fought years ago for more regulation.

• The NRSC attacks Shaheen's record on education in "Apple" and her ability to handle taxpayers' money in "Promotion."

• In "Spending Scheme," the U.S. Chamber of Commerce slams Shaheen's spending record and calls her a "taxing machine."

New Mexico Senate (tip sheet)

• The economic positions of Reps. Steve Pearce (R) and Tom Udall (D) are contrasted in Udall's "Two Views," with the announcer claiming Pearce falls in line with President Bush.

Oregon Senate (tip sheet)

• The NRSC attacks Jeff Merkley (D) over deficit spending in "Bad Bet."

• Merkley rips Sen. Gordon Smith (R) in "Breaks" for supporting the bailout plan and the Bush tax cuts.

• Smith, meanwhile, recalls reaching across the aisle to work with Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass., on hate-crimes legislation in "Matthew."

South Dakota Senate (tip sheet)

• Democratic incumbent Tim Johnson's daughter, "Kelsey," vouches for her father's character in one recent spot. Meanwhile, in "Ethanol," two South Dakota farmers claim that Johnson's "clout" in the Senate has helped boost ethanol production, while a local leader hails Johnson's role in preventing an Air Force base closure in "Ellsworth."

• Republican challenger and state representative Joel Dykstra has gone on an ad spree, as well, criticizing Johnson for failing to regulate financial firms as a member of the Senate Banking Committee in one ad, providing a quick biographical summary in another spot, and enlisting his wife, Vicki, to voice his change message in another.

Washington governor (tip sheet)

Dino Rossi (R) argues that Gov. Christine Gregoire (D) is in "Denial" about the state's budget, contrasting her assertion that there is a surplus with media reports suggesting the opposite.