GOP Rep. John Sweeney’s ad goes after his opponent, first-time House candidate Kirsten Gillibrand, with a half-dozen accusations layered over a soundtrack that’s somehow both scary and sad. The ad tars Gillibrand with everything from taking illegal contributions to hiring a consultant tied to the Abramoff lobbying scandal to making children cry at a Sweeney rally, and more.
Stories by FactCheck.org
When Democrats Attack
Gauging by the attack ads flowing from the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, the party’s House contenders are running against Exxon, Pfizer and Bush. The ads tie Republican House candidates to unpopular industries and an unpopular President. Some of these ads are exaggerations.
Republican Mudslinging On An Industrial Scale
Both political parties are functioning in the 2006 House races as factories for attack ads, but the National Republican Campaign Committee’s work stands out this year for the sheer volume of assaults on the personal character of Democratic House challengers.
‘Daisy’ Redux
The Republican National Committee’s latest ad – a 2006 version of President Johnson’s famous 1964 “Daisy” commercial against Barry Goldwater – invokes the threat of a nuclear attack by al Qaeda.
Scaring Seniors on Social Security
Several ads being aired by Republican House candidates try to frighten both old and young away from supporting their Democratic opponents, who, the Republicans claim, will “cut benefits for seniors” and “raise Social Security taxes” on workers.
A ‘Drug Deal’ Gone Bad
The DCCC’s evidence that Florida Republican Clay Shaw took part in a “drug deal” when he voted for the Medicare Prescription Drug Plan is flimsy at best.
Midwestern Mythmaking in Iowa
Two ads in Iowa attempt to damage congressional candidates Bruce Braley and Mike Whalen by critiquing Braley’s stance on energy and by pointing out Whalen’s radical endorsements, but both are misleading.
Osama Bin Missing: Who’s Tried Hardest to Tackle Top Terrorist?
Former President Bill Clinton took on critics who have questioned why he didn’t do more during his time in the White House to eliminate Osama bin Laden.
A Half-Truth in the Florida 22nd
Clay Shaw attacks Democrat opponent Ron Klein for being a lobbyist at the state level, but Klein is only a registered lobbyist locally in Palm Beach County.
‘XXX’ Marks the Spot Where Campaign Ads Head South
In an ad that many viewers will find distasteful, Republican House candidate Vernon Robinson accuses Democratic Rep. Brad Miller of voting to spend money on silly-sounding sex studies.