2004 Political Ads -- Fla. Senate Candidates Battle Each Other To The Finish (08/31/2004)

Sat. July 4, 2009
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2004 POLITICAL ADS
Fla. Senate Candidates Battle Each Other To The Finish

Florida Senate candidates have blanketed Sunshine State airwaves in the weeks leading up to today's primary, attacking each other's records and trying to stand out from the crowded field.

On the Democratic side, former state Education Commissioner Betty Castor, Rep. Peter Deutsch and Miami-Dade Mayor Alex Penales have released new TV ads touting support from Florida officials and emphasizing their domestic policy priorities.

Deutsch released a positive, issue-oriented ad on Monday, in which he says he's spent the last 20 years fighting "every day for the people of Florida." But in a 30-second TV spot released on Aug. 21, Deutsch focused exclusively on front-runner Castor. In the ad, "Shh," a female voice says, "Castor didn't speak out about terrorist professor Sami Al-Arian when she was USF president." Penczner Burton Media produced both of Deutsch's TV spots, which are on the air in Tampa and Orlando.

In response, Castor launched the 30-second "Endorsement," which began running on Aug. 23 in Tampa, Orlando and South Florida. In the spot, which includes a list of state newspapers that are backing the education commissioner, an announcer tells viewers, "Florida senators condemn Deutsch's negative campaigning." Laguens Hamburger Stone is the Castor campaign's media consultant.

Meanwhile, Penales stays above the fray in his new TV ad, "Iraq," focusing instead on the "most difficult challenge confronting our nation." If elected, Penales tells viewers, "I'll fight to bring our troops home, and use those resources to defend our homeland." Shrum Devine & Donilon produced "Iraq," which began airing in Tampa on Aug. 11.

Republicans Johnnie Byrd, Doug Gallagher and Bill McCollum are also on the air this week. Byrd launched two new TV spots last week -- "Family" and "Alzheimer's" -- in which he explains why various issues facing Florida voters hit close to home. "Six years ago, I lost my father to Alzheimer's," Byrd says, adding: "I know what 400,000 Floridians are going through." A campaign spokesman said Byrd's ads were produced in-house.

Gallagher takes double aim in his new 30-second spot. In the ad, produced by Fred Davis, an announcer says that "a vote for the M&M Boys -- McCollum or" former Housing and Urban Development Secretary Mel Martinez -- "is your precious vote going down the drain." And finally, former Rep. McCollum, debuted a new TV ad on Aug. 24, in which an announcer says, Florida needs "a senator who won't need on-the-job training." Consultant Chris Mottola produced the spot.

Several recent surveys show Martinez and McCollum neck-in-neck, while Castor continues to poll as Floridians' top Democratic pick. The general contest has been rated a toss-up by the Cook Political Report.

Martinez launched a new negative ad on Friday accusing McCollum of supporting gay marriage. The campaign declined requests to release a copy of the ad. And on Sunday, the Palm Beach Post reported, Martinez decided to pull the spot.

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 Deutsch's "Chance" (TV)

PETER DEUTSCH: I fought to stop nursing home evictions. I fought to help parents of missing children. Fought for police who needed health insurance. Fought for $1 billion to clean up the Everglades.
I'm Congressman Peter Deutsch, and I approve this message, because for over 20 years I've fought every day for the people of Florida.
(On screen: PeterForFlorida.com)
Now, I'm fighting for universal health care, to overturn the brutal Bush ban on stem-cell research and make sure Florida gets its fair share.
Give me a chance and I'll fight the next six years for you in the United States Senate.
(On screen: Peter Deutsch; Democrat for U.S. Senate; Paid For By Deutsch For Senate. Approved By Peter Deutsch)
(On screen: Paid For By Deutsch For Senate; Approved By Peter Deutsch)

Script of Deutsch's "Shh" (TV)

PETER DEUTSCH [v/o]: I'm Peter Deutsch, and I approve this message.
(On screen: PeterForFlorida.com)
1ST FEMALE [v/o]: Shh. We can't talk about it.

2ND FEMALE [v/o]: What?
1ST FEMALE [v/o]: The records of the Democrats running for Senate.
2ND FEMALE [v/o]: But what if Republicans talk?
1ST FEMALE [v/o]: Shh.
2ND FEMALE [v/o]: Betty Castor didn't speak out against terrorist professor Sami Al-Arian when she was USF president.
(On screen: Source: Miami Herald; 7/6/04)
1ST FEMALE [v/o]: Shh.
2ND FEMALE [v/o]: Said she didn't have "one iota of information" but the FBI told her...
(On screen: Source: Miami Herald; 6/29/04
1ST FEMALE [v/o]: Shh.
2ND FEMALE [v/o]: ...Al-Arian was calling the '93 World Trade Center bombers.
1ST FEMALE [v/o]: Shh.
2ND FEMALE [v/o]: Can we talk about finding a candidate who can win?
(On screen: Paid For By Deutsch For Senate; Approved By Peter Deutsch)

Script of Castor's "Endorsement" (TV)

ANNOUNCER [v/o]: Who can fill Sen. Bob Graham's shoes? Papers across Florida agree... Betty Castor is the best bet.
(On screen: The Stuart News; Bradington Herald; St. Petersburg Times; The Miami Herald; The Gainsville Sun; The Tampa Tribune; The Palm Beach Post; Orlando Sentinel; Jewish Journal; Herald Tribune; Fort Pierce Tribune; The Ledger)
The Tampa Tribune calls Castor "thoughtful and tough."
(On screen: BettyCastor2004.com; 8/15/04)
And Peter Deutsch?

Papers call his attacks "ruthless" and "nasty."
(On screen: Florida Papers on Peter Deutsch: Jewish Journal, 7/27/04; Tampa Tribune, 11/9/03)
Florida senators condemn Deutsch's negative campaigning.
(On screen: Photographs of Bob Graham and Ben Nelson; Miami Herald; 8/12/04)
And Sen. Graham praises Castor's actions.
(On screen: Headline: Graham rushes to Castor's defense; Sun-Sentinel; 6/30/04)
BETTY CASTOR: I'm Betty Castor, and I approve this ad because we ought to be attacking our problems, not each other.
(On screen: Betty Castor; Democrat; U.S. Senate; Approved By Betty Castor; Paid For By Betty Castor For U.S. Senate)

Script of Penales' "Iraq" (TV)

ALEX PENALES: The most difficult challenge confronting our nation is Iraq. I'm Alex Penales, and I approve this message.
(On screen: AlexPenales2004.Com)
President Bush told us we needed to rush to war for reasons we now know are false. And American troops and taxpayers are bearing the burden. Today, the federal government is not doing enough to help communities defend against the threat of terror.
As mayor of Florida's largest county, I know the impact of that threat.
In the Senate, I'll fight to bring our troops home, and use those resources to defend our homeland.
(On screen: Democrat; U.S. Senate; Paid For And Approved By Alex Penales; U.S. Campaign Committee (D))

Script of Byrd's "Family" (TV)

JOHNNIE BYRD: Republican Senate candidate Johnnie Byrd has led the fight in protecting Florida's families.
(On screen: Republican Johnnie Byrd for U.S. Senate; www.JohnnieByrd.com)
Defending marriage against liberal court attacks...
(On screen: Defends Traditional Marriage)
Standing up for a parent's right to know when their child is counseled to have an abortion.
(On screen: Parental rights)
Meet two of my reasons why protecting the family is personal. As your U.S. senator, I will never forget what America is fighting for.
JOHNNIE BYRD [v/o]: I'm Johnnie Byrd. I approve this message because we need a strong, pro-family voice in the U.S. Senate.
(On screen: Paid For By Friends Of Johnnie Bryd And Approved By Johnnie Byrd)

Script of Byrd's "Alzheimer's" (TV)

JOHNNIE BYRD: Six years ago, I lost my father to Alzheimer's disease. I know what 400,000 Floridians are going through.
(On screen: Republican Johnnie Byrd for U.S. Senate; www.JohnnieByrd.com)
ANNOUNCER [v/o]: As speaker of the House, Johnnie Byrd led the charge to find a cure for Alzheimer's.
(On screen: Millions more for Alzheimer's research)
Johnnie Byrd beat the greedy trial lawyers from running good doctors out of business.
(On screen: Battling junk lawsuits to keep Health Care Accessible)
Johnnie Byrd supported prescription drug relief for our seniors.
(On screen: Florida's Silver Savers prescription drug program Helps Seniors)
JOHNNIE BYRD: I'm Johnnie Byrd, and I approve this message.
(On screen: Paid for by Friends of Johnnie Bryd and approved by Johnnie Byrd)

Script of Gallagher's "M&M Boys" (TV)

ANNOUNCER [v/o]: A vote for the M&M Boys -- McCollum or Martinez -- is your precious vote going down the drain.
(On screen: Bill McCollum; Mel Martinez)
Mel Martinez, as president of the trial lawyers, fought for legislation that could've raise car insurance rates 60 percent.
No more M&M. We need a Florida bolt of lightning named Doug Gallagher for big worthwhile change.
(On screen: Doug Gallagher)
DOUG GALLAGHER: We've tried it their way, America. Now let's try it our way. I'm Doug Gallagher, and I approve this message.
(On screen: www.GallagherForSenate.com; Doug Gallagher for U.S. Senate; Paid For By Gallagher For Senate And Approved By Doug Gallagher)

Script of McCollum's "Freedom" (TV)

ANNOUNCER [v/o]: The fight for freedom is the fight for the values that make America great. That's why we need a senator who won't need on-the-job training.
And that's Bill McCollum.
Bill McCollum founded the terrorism task force and he was a member of the House Intelligence Committee.
He'll stand up for freedom.
CONNIE MACK: There's no body better prepared than Bill McCollum to go to the United States Senate.
(On screen: U.S. Senator)
ANNOUNCER [v/o]: Bill McCollum for U.S. Senate.
BILL MCCOLLUM [v/o]: I'm Bill McCollum, and I approve this ad because freedom matters.
(On screen: Approved By Bill McCollum And Paid For By McCollum 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.