CAMPAIGN ADS: New DNC Ad Faults Bush’s Health Care Record

      Continuing to release a new ad each day of the Republican National Convention, the Democratic National Committee yesterday released its third ad, this time criticizing Texas Gov. George W. Bush's record on health care while putting in a plug for their man, Vice President Al Gore. Titled "Health Comparative," the 30-second spot states: "The issue: health care. Al Gore is for a real patients' bill of rights and a prescription drug benefit under Medicare. George W. Bush says no." The ad continues: "[Bush] sides with the big drug companies, the HMOs and the insurance industry. In Texas, Bush even opposed health care coverage for 200,000 more children. Texas now ranks second to last in America for children with health insurance ... and last for people with health coverage." Running in the same 17 states -- Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, New Mexico, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Washington and Wisconsin -- as the other DNC ads released this week, the new ad concludes: "George Bush -- his plan protects special interests instead of working families" (National Journal Group, 8/2). To view the ad, go to http://video.cloakroom.com/2000archive/08/0802dnc1.rm. Note: You will need RealPlayer G2 to view the ad.

Should 'Big Brother' Watch?
      In the race for retiring Illinois Rep. Tom Ewing's (R) seat, Mike Kelleher (D) released a new radio ad blasting state Rep. Tim Johnson's (R) voting record on health care and his absenteeism during numerous votes. Referring to the popular voyeuristic reality television shows "Survivor" and "Big Brother," the ad states: "[M]aybe that's what we need for politicians like Tim Johnson -- because unless we're looking over his shoulder, we can't trust him to do what's right." The ad continues: "Tim rigged his voting button in Springfield with a paper clip to vote 'yes' on over one hundred bills while he was gone. ... When he did show up, Johnson voted against tougher standards for HMOs, and Johnson refused to support a bill to lower prescription drug costs for seniors." The ad tells voters, "For the straight story on Tim Johnson, go to TimsPaperClip.com" (National Journal Group, 8/3). To listen to the ad, go to http://video.cloakroom.com/2000archive/08/0802mkil1.rm. Note: You will need RealPlayer G2 to listen to the ad.