Television Ad

Democrat Frank Kratovil is a "tax and spend liberal" just like Gov. Martin O'Malley (D-Baltimore), according to "Jim the Plumber," the star of a new ad from Republican Andy Harris.

"Frank Kratovil doesn't understand guys like me," Jim says in the campaign ad, and he is backed up by a chorus of others.

"Just like O'Malley," says a woman.

"I can't afford any more taxes," says a man.

"I can't afford Kratovil," says another man.

Charles E. Graham, chairman of Marylanders United to Stop Slots, told Maryland Moment on Tuesday that he was considering stepping down from his position, blaming Comptroller Peter Franchot's (D-Takoma Park) behavior for the possible decision.

"I was under the impression we were going to talk about the issues," Graham told Maryland Moment of Franchot, who serves on the group's steering committee and is perhaps the most outspoken opponent of slots in the state. "But the problem is it's become personal, and the attacks on the governor, I don't want to be a part of that. ... It's not what I signed up for."

Graham said the final straw was a television ad the group launched on Tuesday.

The Club for Growth PAC is extending its buy of on-air television ads against Democrat Frank Kratovil beyond the initial  $100,000 ad campaign they launched earlier this month.

Kratovil, the Queen Anne's County state Attorney, is currently running against state Sen. Andy Harris (R-Cockeysville) for the open 1st Congressional District seat. The Club for Growth has championed Harris since the primaries, sending millions of dollars his way. Kratovil has called the Club for Growth an extreme conservative economic group.

Nachama Soloveichik, communications director for the group, says they have put a lot into the race since the primary and want "to make sure Harris crosses the finish." She says her organization hasn't done any polling, but that the race "looks competitive."

Gov. Chris Gregoire's campaign immediately went after the latest Dino Rossi television ad Monday, saying the Rossi camp is "lying" in the ad about the projected budget deficit, and called on their opponents to pull it from the air.

The ad, which plays an audio clip of Gregoire talking about Washington's budget surplus juxtaposed with an AP report that Washington was projected to have a budget deficit of $3.2 billion during the next biennium. A narrator then says the line, "Is she dishonest, or is she in denial?"

The Gregoire camp says neither, and backs it up with a link to a document from the state's office of financial management showing the current balance at a plus $529 million.

State Rep. Steve Driehaus (D-Price Hill) stood outside of a foreclosed home in his own neighborhood Thursday morning to fire back at U.S. Rep. Steve Chabot (R-Westwood) for an ad the Chabot campaign has begun airing that hits Driehaus on the foreclosure issue.

The Driehaus campaign pointed to his role on Gov. Ted Strickland's Foreclosure Prevention Task Force as evidence that Driehaus "has seen firsthand how foreclosed homes can have a tremendously negative impact on middle class families by dramatically lowering the value of neighboring homes, decreasing tax revenue for schools and municipal services and providing havens for crime."

"Congressman Steve Chabot has been absent for the 14 years he has been in Washington on not only the housing and foreclosure issue, but many others," Driehaus said. "Instead of launching deceptive attacks, our congressman should identify what he has actually done to help curb the housing crisis in the District.

Three weeks before the Republican primary, John Stephen (R-Manchester) has begun airing a television ad that seeks to draw differences between him and his primary opponent, former U.S. Rep. Jeb Bradley (R-Wolfeboro).

"Jeb Bradley: He's everything that's wrong with Congress," the announcer states.

Governor Chris Gregoire's campaign is airing its second round of campaign ads beginning today. The new ad, called "Our Children", highlights the Gregoire administration's accomplishments on signing legislation to help children.

The spot begins with footage from Gregoire family home movies as she mentions her own experience raising children.

"As a mother," she narrates, "I've always worried about my kids. As governor, I've done some worrying about your kids, too."

The National Sierra Club has begun airing a television ad that criticizes U.S. Sen. John McCain's (R-Ariz.) energy plan. The ad buy was first reported by PolitickerNH.com earlier this week.

The Sierra Club has also been airing a radio ad that defends U.S. Rep. Carol Shea-Porter (D-Rochester).

Yesterday it was reported Congressman Paul Kanjorski was launching the first television ads of the season in the 11th Congressional District.  “Home” is a biography ad which aims to paints a picture of Kanjorski as “one of us.” 

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