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| AD WARS | |
 October 18, 2000  |
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After this background report, Terence Smith leads a discussion on the state of the Bush and Gore ad campaigns. The NewsHour Media Unit is funded by a grant from the Pew Charitable Trusts.
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TERENCE SMITH: With the debates behind them and less than three weeks to go before election day, the Bush and Gore campaigns released a cluster of new ads today in hopes of tilting a close election their way.
TERENCE SMITH: The Bush campaign released this new commercial today, featuring a testimonial from Phyllis Hunter, a Houston reading specialist. PHYLLIS HUNTER: People ask me why have I followed him so intently in this education and reading. I followed him because he has been a leader.
TERENCE SMITH: The Democratic Party's new ad out today challenges the Bush plan to privatize part of Social Security. AD SPOKESMAN: He's promising to take a trillion dollars out of Social Security so younger workers can invest in private accounts. Sounds good. The problem is, Bush has promised the same money to pay seniors their current benefits. The Wall Street Journal shows he can't keep both promises. Which promise is he going to break?
AD SPOKESMAN: Our students rank last in the world in math and physics, and most fourth graders in our cities can't read. The Clinton/Gore education recession -- it's failing our kids. |
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TERENCE SMITH: And this spot from the Democratic National Committee is one of four assailing Governor Bush's record in Texas. AD SPOKESMAN: Last year Houston overtook Los Angeles as America's smoggiest city. Now, take a deep breath and imagine Seattle with Bush's Texas-style environmental regulation. George Bush: Before he talks about cleaning up Washington, maybe he should clean up Texas.
GOV. GEORGE W. BUSH: He trusts government; I trust you, because when we trust individuals, when we respect local control of schools, when we empower communities, together we can ignite America's spirit and renew our purpose. TERENCE SMITH: This week the Gore campaign released this ad, entitled "Prosperity." An apparent response to the Bush campaign's "Ttrust" spot. AD SPOKESMAN: Prescription drug coverage for seniors, middle class tax cuts, individual choice and opportunity, not big government. Al Gore: America's prosperity working for all.
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GOV.
GEORGE W. BUSH: We want every child to be able to access the greatness
of America. 
GOV.
GEORGE W. BUSH: Reading is the new civil right, because if you can't
read, you can't access the American dream. 
TERENCE
SMITH: Thus far, the ad campaign has focused largely on issues, not
character, contrasting policies, not personality, on topics like Social
Security, Medicare, prescription drugs, the environment, the economy
and education. But the issue-oriented atmosphere does not mean the tone
of the ads is any less aggressive or confrontational. This ad from the
Republican National Committee faults the Clinton/Gore administration
for what it calls the education recession. 
TERENCE
SMITH: The Bush campaign is running an ad of its own, entitled "Trust."
It folds all of the governor's key issues into a 60-second ad that makes
credibility a cornerstone, mentioning the word "trust" six
times. 
TERENCE
SMITH: The ad war is being fought on television and radio in a handful
of crucial states, including Ohio, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Missouri,
Michigan, and Florida. The total cash outlays on ads by both sides are
now roughly equal: Some $47 million a piece since the end of the primary
season. That includes expenditures from the campaigns, national parties
and advocacy groups through October 8. Analysts predict that total spending
for both sides could run as high as $160 million to $200 million.