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Murkowski, Miller Sharpen Attacks In Alaska
Gwen Glazer, NationalJournal.com
© National Journal Group Inc.
Friday, Aug. 20, 2004
Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R) this week made her most direct attack yet on primary opponent Mike Miller (R) with a new TV ad, as Miller continued his own advertising push against Murkowski on the radio.
In two 60-second radio spots, Miller continues to attack Murkowski as a liberal and a supporter of high taxes. Both commercials follow the format of a man and woman discussing the Senate race. In "Best Qualified," the man argues that Murkowski's "liberal record seems out of touch with most Alaskans," while the woman names state leaders who have endorsed Miller.
In "Tax Woman," the man charges that Murkowski "voted to tap into your paycheck with a new state income tax and spend our permanent fund earnings, without a vote of the people." He endorses Miller's plan to "scrap the entire federal income tax code" and replace it with a lower rate, then adds that he's not voting for "another Murkowski." The reference is to Lisa's father, Gov. Frank Murkowski (R), who appointed his daughter when he was elected in 2002.
Murkowski, meanwhile, directly refutes Miller's charges in the 30-second "Allies." Speaking directly to the camera, she says, "Miller calls me a liberal even though he voted exactly the same as I did 97 percent of the time" -- presumably when she and Miller were both in the state House of Representatives in the early 90s -- and that he "even gave [her] a campaign contribution." She also says her presumptive Democratic challenger, former Gov. Tony Knowles, is attacking her during the primary season because "Knowles wants somebody he can beat" in the general election, referring to Miller.
"Allies" began running this week and will continue statewide through the Aug. 24 primary. Miller's ads, produced by Light Sounds, are also running statewide; "Tax Woman" aired from Aug. 9 to Aug. 13, and "Best Qualified" debuted Monday and will continue indefinitely.
Ad Spotlight has the latest commercials from the 2004 campaigns and issue/advocacy groups, as well as searchable archives dating back to 1997.
Script of Murkowski's "Allies" (TV)
LISA MURKOWSKI: To all my Republican friends who think I have no real primary, think again. Tony Knowles and his Democratic allies are heavily attacking me during this Republican primary.(On screen: Knowles & Democratic Allies Attack Lisa)
Why? Knowles wants somebody he can beat: Mike Miller.
(On screen: Knowles Would Beat Miller)
Miller calls me a liberal even though he voted exactly the same as I did 97 percent of the time.
(On screen: Miller Voted the Same as Lisa 97%)
Miller even gave me a campaign contribution. Thanks, Mike. I'm Lisa Murkowski and I approve this message to keep on fighting for Alaska.
(On screen: Lisa Murkowski; U.S. Senate; Approved By Lisa Murkowski And Paid For By Lisa Murkowski For U.S. Senate)
Script of Miller's "Best Qualified" (Radio)
MIKE MILLER: This is Mike Miller and I approved this message.MAN: Hey, have you heard those ads where Lisa Murkowski pretends she's a conservative?
WOMAN: Yeah, I have. Too bad they're not true. Did you know the nonpartisan National Journal ranked Lisa as the sixth most liberal out of 51 Republicans in the Senate?
MAN: Wow, I didn't know that.
WOMAN: Yeah, it's hard to believe. That's why so many Alaska conservatives are endorsing Mike Miller for U.S. Senate, including leaders like Lieutenant Governor Loren Leman, Sarah Palin, Tom Fink and John Coghill.
MAN: Huh. Lisa's liberal record seems out of touch with most Alaskans.
WOMAN: Well, Lisa is no ordinary Alaskan. She was born here, and she was born a Murkowski.
MAN: Oh yeah. And that makes her the best qualified to be senator?
WOMAN: Well, not in my book. Now it's our turn to choose. And I'm supporting Mike Miller. He has 20 years more experience than Lisa, and Mike's conservative record shows we can trust him to stand up for our values.
ANNOUNCER: Paid for by Mike Miller for U.S. Senate.
Script of Miller's "Tax Woman" (Radio)
MIKE MILLER: This is Mike Miller and I approved this message.MAN: You know, I still don't know who to vote for in that race for U.S. Senate.
WOMAN: Well, here's my two cents. Vote for someone you would trust to manage your money.
MAN: Sounds good, but who fits that bill?
WOMAN: Well, it certainly isn't Lisa Murkowski. She voted to tap into your paycheck with a new state income tax and spend our permanent fund earnings, without a vote of the people.
MAN: Yeah, I remember that. But hasn't Lisa switched her position now?
WOMAN: Of course she has; it's an election year. Like you've never heard of a politician who says one thing to get your vote, then does the exact opposite after getting into power?
MAN: Yeah, that reminds me of another Murkowski who ran for office. But how about Mike Miller? He's always been for lower taxes, right?
WOMAN: He sure has. In fact, Mike wants to scrap the entire federal income tax code and replace it with one simple, lower rate.
MAN: Well, I'm not wasting my vote on another Murkowski. I think I'll keep my paycheck and give my vote to Mike Miller.
ANNOUNCER: Paid for by Mike Miller for U.S. Senate.
To access the ad, you will need a current version of RealPlayer™, which is available for free from the Progressive Networks Web site.