As many watch the presidential race fall into a bitter battle of verbal accusations, the Republican Party has made the move to increase the battle on national television.
The party recently made a decision to bulk up its advertising budget in 17 states, including Michigan, where the GOP feels the need to combat Democratic television ads and get its message to the public.
Along with the increased spending, the party is unveiling a new line of commercials designed by the Republican National Committee. The ads are a formulated attack on Vice President Al Gore and his stances on spending and education. The committee has also moved onto a different battle plan in four states where the Democratic Party has been running frequent ads criticizing Texas Gov. George W. Bush.
“The campaign has turned into a bitter battle as both candidates vie for the important swing states, including Michigan,” said Ed Sarpolus, vice president of Lansing-based polling firm EPIC/MRA. “Bush’s supporters are trying to capitalize on a feeling of trust surrounding Bush with an increased push in the television ad campaign.”
The Republicans introduced the new ad spots in California, Minnesota, Nevada and Tennessee because they are states where Bush needs to either make a serious move against Gore or force him to spend more money.
“The new ad campaign introduced is very important in Michigan,” said Sage Eastman, spokesman for the Michigan Republican Party. “Michigan is ground zero in the upcoming election and whoever secures the state will be the winner come Nov. 7.”
Both of the new ads accuse Gore of wiping out the projected federal surplus through his proposed spending plan. They also claim Gore’s plan of action is actually three times higher than a plan proposed by President Clinton. The ads imply that by supporting Gore and his plan, a voter is threatening “America’s prosperity.”
“The implementation of the ad campaign was an aggressive and powerful move by Governor Bush,” Eastman said. “The ads are designed to show the American people that Bush can keep the prosperity going with his plan for the federal surplus.”
This recent move by the Republicans has indicated they hold the monetary power in the election. Introducing new television ads to the country has driven the budget of the GOP up to at least $4 million per week in 21 states, as opposed to the previous numbers of $2.5 million per day in 17 states.
Chad Clanton, communications director for the Michigan Democratic Party, said Democrats cannot compete with the financial power of the GOP.
“The one person in this election that will take us back to triple-digit deficits, spiraling inflation is George W. Bush,” Clanton said. “That’s reflected in his campaign spending.”
