Harris (finally, almost) hitting airwaves in Maryland One
Republican congressional candidate Andy Harris is releasing his first TV commercial of the 2010 campaign, a 30-second bio-heavy spot that highlights his immigrant parents, training as a physician and five children.
The ad appears designed to soften Harris' image as a hard-edged conservative. It features footage of his photogenic family, complete with pooch.
One other noteworthy feature: The commercial identifies Harris as a Republican. That should be a plus in a district that went for John McCain by a landslide over Barack Obama in the '08 presidential election. Still, it is increasingly rare for candidates to advertise their party affiliation.
The veteran state lawmaker from Baltimore County is considered the favorite, at least by some handicappers, to take the U.S. House seat in Maryland's First District, which covers the entire Eastern Shore plus portions of Baltimore, Harford and Anne Arundel counties.
Harris has been husbanding resources for a general election rematch against freshman Rep. Frank Kratovil, who beat him in 2008 and is unopposed for the Democratic nomination. The incumbent has already started running TV ads touting his independence from his party.
Harris must first win next week's Republican primary. He is opposed by conservative businessman Rob Fisher, a self-financing newcomer who's been running TV commercials for months.
The Harris ad will start running next week on broadcast outlets in the Baltimore and Salisbury markets. It was released online to supporters late Thursday afternoon.
You can watch it by clicking here. Script follows:
ANNOUNCER: “His parents came to America to escape communism. All their belongings in a suitcase.
For Andy Harris’s family, the promise of freedom paid off. Andy became a doctor. Joined the Navy to give back to America. Raised a family.
ANDY HARRIS: “My family’s lived the American Dream. But we’re all worried our children won’t be able to.
The government spends too much, taxes too much, threatens our liberties.
We have to restore that American dream because the future of our children and country is at stake.
I’m Andy Harris and I approve this message.”
Comments
So Harris is an immigrant who stole the resources of REAL americans and faked his way into a doctor's license putting someone from this country out of a job and now he wants to be in Congress. WAKE UP GOP!!!!
Posted by: Jim Smith | September 9, 2010 8:01 PM
Andy Harris went to Johns Hopkins University for his undergraduate and graduate education. It is one of the most difficult schools in the country and its medical program is THE best in the country. He has been the head of obstetric anesthesiology at Johns Hopkins Hospital. I would hardly call that "faking" his way into a "doctor's license."
Posted by: Anonymous | September 10, 2010 9:15 AM
If Mr. Smith's comment is the best that Democrats can come up with, I expect that Harris will have a pretty solid victory this year.
Posted by: G. A. Harrison | September 10, 2010 11:20 PM
I think Smith's comment is actually a sarcastic jab at immigration policy. At least, I'd like to think so. Does that make Andy Harris an anchor baby? Or does that only apply to Hispanics?
Posted by: Tyler | September 11, 2010 9:39 AM
Andy Harris is a hypocrite and deceitful. First of all last election he claimed at a debate in Salisbury that he "Fought in the first gulf war." He didn't. Secondly, he is trying to portray himself now as a reasonable person yet this is the guy with countless lone "NO" votes in the MD senate. He is ideologue that represents everything wrong with the extremes of both parties. Kratovil will win re-election.
Posted by: Easternshoreman | September 12, 2010 9:10 PM
I would be interested in hearing more about the story of Andy Harris's parents if anyone has the facts. What country did they come from? When did they come here? What was Harris's father's name?
Posted by: Roberta Ross | September 16, 2010 10:34 AM
"The government spends too much, taxes too much, threatens our liberties."
Absolutely right, and Harris (who wants Government to decide which movies are inappropriate for UMD students) is leading the charge to threaten our liberties.
We want lower spending, lower taxes, and less Governenment intrusion into our personal lives.
If there is a Republicans for Kratovil organization, sign me up.
Posted by: Dave | September 16, 2010 2:45 PM
The personal loans are useful for guys, which would like to organize their business. In fact, this is not very hard to receive a sba loan.
Posted by: LeonMolly | December 2, 2011 11:59 AM