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October 25, 2008

Harris's ads crack the Top 10 list -- for worst in nation

We've written before about the deceptive ads being used by state Sen. Andy Harris in his race for Congress.

You remember: the ones where Harris recycled film clips of supposedly real "people on the street" criticizing incumbent Rep. Wayne Gilchrest AND Democrat Frank Kratovil as being too liberal? It's pretty clear that the "real people" were talking about Gilchrest, and then re-used in the ad attacking Kratovil.

Well, those spots have garnered even more attention.

The Politico web site has compiled a list of the ten worst campaign ads this election cycle, taking nominations from political operatives who have been paying attention.

"We weren’t looking for ads that were unfair, fact-flouting, insensitive or commercials that otherwise injured our civil society," the Politico writers said. "We asked for those that were poorly executed, dopey, misguided or just plain weird."

Coming in at No. 7 (although Politico says the list is in no particular order) is the Harris ad now being dubbed "Recycler."

"This one makes it on sheer laziness," Politico says. "We can accept the occasional campaign volunteer serving as the “man on the street” for his or her candidate. But Harris took it to a new level – recycling the same exact people — and using the same exact footage — to attack both his primary opponent Rep. Wayne Gilchrest and his general election opponent, Frank Kratovil."

Surprisingly, both campaigns are happy with the list. Harris officials like all attention they can get, especially opportunities to link Kratovil with the word "liberal." Kratovil folks are driving home the message that Harris is irresponsible and deceptive.

Posted by David Nitkin at 11:09 AM | | Comments (2)
        

Comments

If it works - then it really doesn't matter, does it?

"If it works - then it really doesn't matter, does it?"

Ah, that's the spirit. Kind of along the same lines as "Why bother with the truth when a good lie will work so much better"

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About the bloggers
Laura Smitherman has been ensconced in the State House basement, writing about the governor, General Assembly and vagaries of Maryland politics for several years. An erstwhile business reporter, her interest in politics dates to her days in Washington when she covered Congress and national campaigns for another media outlet. She now follows a range of policy debates from slot-machine gambling to universal health care and energy regulation, while keeping an eye on the next election.

Paul West covers Washington for The Baltimore Sun, continuing a tradition that began the month the paper was born, in 1837. He hasn't been in the DC bureau that long--only since Ronald Reagan was president. He's covered Congress, the White House and presidential campaigns as the paper's national political correspondent and Washington bureau chief. He's on the lookout for news of significance to Sun readers at the other end of the B/W Parkway. That includes the activities of the state's congressional delegation and anything else that might shed some light on the inner workings of the nation's capital.

Julie Bykowicz's first days as a political reporter, in January 2009, coincided with Baltimore Mayor Sheila Dixon's indictment and the start of the Maryland General Assembly's 426th legislative session. She focuses on coverage of state agencies, such as social services, juvenile justice and prisons. During the session, she wrote about the death penalty, slots parlors and speed cameras, among other hot topics. Julie began political reporting after more than seven years on The Baltimore Sun's crime desk. She lives in Baltimore and works primarily in Annapolis.

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