Click Here To See RealVideo™ Of Coors' "Tax Attack" Click Here To See RealVideo™ Of Salazar's "Margo" More On This Race Previous Ads Latest Polls Tip Sheet

By Gwen Glazer, NationalJournal.com
© National Journal Group Inc.
Tuesday, Sept. 21, 2004

The latest round of TV ads in the Colorado Senate race push familiar themes for both candidates: taxes and health care.

Beer magnate Pete Coors (R) goes negative in the 30-second "Tax Attack." He cites two Denver Post articles -- one criticizing state Attorney General Ken Salazar (D) for supporting Democrat "John Kerry's $142 billion tax increase" and one quoting Salazar as saying that "making President Bush's tax cuts permanent is irresponsible." Coors tells viewers that Salazar's tax-reduction plan "will cheat families, hurt businesses and kill jobs." McAuliffe Message Media produced the spot, which began airing statewide Wednesday.

The Salazar campaign issued a press release slamming Coors for breaking a promise to avoid negative ads "less than 96 hours after he re-committed to run a clean campaign" at a Sept. 11 debate in Grand Junction. And for his part, Salazar's new ad delivers a positive message about the candidate's stance on health care. "Margo" features a woman explaining that her family could not afford health care. She says Salazar "understands what it's like for us. He's one of us." Salazar concludes the ad by vowing to make health care a "top priority" if elected. The statewide ad, produced by Grunwald Communications, began airing Sept. 13.

The Cook Political Report rated the Centennial State race a toss-up.

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 Coors' "Tax Attack" (TV)

ANNOUNCER: Ken Salazar will help Democrats roll back tax cuts.

(On screen: Ken Salazar's High Tax Agenda; The Denver Post; 8/9/04)

Salazar supports John Kerry's $142 billion tax increase.

(On screen: Higher Taxes; $142,000,000,000)

And Ken Salazar says making President Bush's tax cuts permanent is irresponsible.

(On screen: "permanent tax cuts are fiscally irresponsible;" The Denver Post; 4/15/04)

PETE COORS: As our economy begins to grow, Ken Salazar wants to raise taxes. I don't.

(On screen: Straight talk; Honest Answers)

His tax plan will cheat families, hurt businesses and kill jobs. I want a fair tax system that doesn't penalize small businesses trying to grow or families working to improve their quality of life.

I'm Pete Coors. I approved this message.

(On screen: Paid For By Pete Coors For Senate, Inc. Approved By Pete Coors.)

Script of Salazar's "Margo" (TV)

(On screen: Margo Rhyme; Centennial, Colorado)

MARGO RHYME: Our health insurance company wanted to double our rates, and we just couldn't pay.

KEN SALAZAR: The cost of health care is crushing Colorado's families. Why has Washington just ignored this problem?

MARGO RHYME: I think Ken Salazar understands what it's like for us. He's one of us.

ANNOUNCER: As attorney general, Ken Salazar cracked down on the big drug companies for price fixing -- and won. He'll continue to fight to lower health care costs in the Senate.

(On screen: SalazarforColorado.com)

KEN SALAZAR: It's time to make affordable health care a top priority. I'm Ken Salazar. I approved this message.

ANNOUNCER: Experience money just can't buy.

(On screen: Approved By Ken Salazar. Paid For By Salazar For Senate.)

To access the ad, you will need a current version of RealPlayer™, which is available for free from the Progressive Networks Web site.