Politics Dems Launch $500K Anti-Rossi Campaign
posted by on June 27 at 10:04 AM
A new Service Employees International Union-backed PAC has just launched a new (non-Sopranos-themed) ad campaign targeting Dino Rossi, and a web site, dontknowdino.com, to go with it. (Via Postman). The ads and web site focus on health-care-related votes that Rossi took as a state senator—including a budget that eliminated health care for 40,000 children, a vote against legislation that would help the state negotiate for lower drug prices, and the Patients Bill of Rights—and lay out the tens of thousands Rossi has received from big drug companies like Glaxo SmithKline, Bristol-Meyers Squibb, and Eli Lilly, and from insurance companies like Regence Blue Shield, Premera Blue Cross, and Aetna.
Earlier this week, the state Dems removed the Sopranos theme from an anti-Rossi ad after the Italian Club of Seattle called it racist. I thought Democratic spokesman Kelly Steele handled the blowup well—immediately pulling the ad but getting a few digs in at Rossi at the same time. In a statement, he said the video was
in no way meant to allege or imply that Republican Dino Rossi or his extremist, right-wing developer allies have ties to the mafia or organized crime. It’s a catchy song, which we thought jibed stylistically with our communication about Rossi’s designated attack squad — the BIAW — who continue to pour millions into false and misleading attack ads against Gov. Gregoire. That being said, we’d like to apologize to Rossi’s friend Mr. DiJulio, his organization, and anyone else we may have inadvertently offended. The video will be replaced shortly with an identical message regarding Rossi and the BIAW’s sleazy attack campaign, using a different song.
Although maybe calling Rossi “sleazy” went a little far.
He called the BIAW's attack campaign sleazy, not Rossi. Seems fair to me.
they handled it right except they put up a racist ad then lied about it claiming it was inadvertent.
"Duh gee, that 'catchy tune' 'Woke up this morning, got myself a gun'?? Oh yeah we hum it all the time here at State Demo headquarters.....oh you say that's asoociated with the SOPRANOS?? What's that .... Oh some TV show?
"Oh it's about the mafia? Golly gee, really? Hey, Dwight, you ever hear of that TV show I thought it was about opera!"
Why are you so worked up about this PC? Are you one of them wops?
Oh, before you get angry at my use of "wop", I'm Italian too, so I can use Italian stereotypes and slurs without fear of retribution.
Full disclosure: Not only am I Italian, but I also wear my long black hair greased back and a carry a comb in my back pocket. Mafia stereotypes don't bother me.
Contrary to popular belief, I don't think these negative ads are helpful to Gregoire. Elevating the status of Rossi, splashing his name across the TV, making it seem like he is even a player in State Politics and that he's worthy to be feared I think raises, rather than lowers, his profile.
And, I don't just say that out of naive hope for positive campaigns. I think 527's and independent expenditures are quickly becoming the most difficult job of managing a campaign.
Gregoire has a good enough record that this campaign could/should be about elevating that in the mind of the public. The more we talk about Rossi, the more we give voters a reason to consider him.
The unions have a history of acting in a manner contrary to their desires.
You guys are full of it. Dino Rossi wants to make people responsible for their own actions. Since when did it become the tax payers responsibility to pay for medical care for someone else's children. Maybe some of these people who cannot afford the Health Insurance for children could stop cable, internet service and smoking if they smoke.
Comments Closed
Comments are closed on this post.