Video: Labor Unions Issue Attack Ad on Gilbert Baker (UPDATE – Ad lists Baker’s home phone number)
For some reason, a group called Citizens for Strength and Security funded primarily by labor unions have begun running an ad attacking Republican Senate candidate Gilbert Baker for not being fiscally conservative enough. The ad accuses him of bring in $53 million in pork barrel spending as a state senator.
“The misleading information found in the Citizens for Strength and Security ad simply re-affirms the fact that this will be the most negative campaign in Arkansas history,” said Baker. “I proudly stand behind my conservative record of lowering taxes and balancing budgets; I live it personally and politically. It comes as no surprise to see Senator Lincoln’s liberal friends come to her rescue. This organization, which is nothing more than a front group for national labor unions, is trying to smear my conservative record in Arkansas because of my vocal and consistent opposition to the union card check issue- a job killing bill that would have detrimental effects on our already shaky economy. It seems to me the money for the $200,000 ad buy could have been better spent to help Arkansans in need, not a politician in trouble.”
My big question is when did labor unions kiss and make up with Sen. Lincoln. The last I heard they were upset over her opposition to ECFA/Card Check and were out recruiting Bill Halter as a primary opponent. Is it possible that the unions struck a deal with Lincoln and this is part of the payback? Even so, why attack Baker this early and since when are labor unions the champions of fiscal conservatism?
UPDATE – Politico tips me off that the Democrat Party of Arkansas is spending some money giving Sen. Lincoln a pat of her back. I wonder what Halter thinks about that.
Max Brantley is none too thrilled with the ad calling it “Incumbent Protection.” I see where he is coming from. Imagine if the RPA ran an ad praising Gilbert Baker for his work in the state senate.
Blake Rutherford has a different take. He thinks the ad is about the Democrats making sure Lincoln ends up voting for health care reform. It is the old trick of thanking someone for what you hope they will do to make them feel obligated to do it.
UPDATE II – A closer look reveals that the ad actually lists Baker’s home number and not his campaign office number. Susan Baker, Gilbert’s wife, confirms this morning that they have received numerous angry phone calls. Somehow running an attack ad encouraging people to call someone’s home number does not seem right.
Republican opponent Conrad Reynolds agrees and says Sen. Lincoln should call for removing the ad.
Tags: 2010 Candidates
December 11th, 2009 at 10:04 am
After watching the comercial I must regretfully conclude that it is all true.
December 11th, 2009 at 10:06 am
Well Senator Baker must be doing something right to get that kind of attention from Blanche’s cronies…
December 11th, 2009 at 10:28 am
I find it interesting that a candidate who just wrote a check to Blanche Lincoln just a few months ago jumps into the race the same day this add goes up by labor unions. Drain the Republican Party so Blanche gets to keep her Ag Chairman job. By the way, these things don’t just happen on accident.
December 11th, 2009 at 12:31 pm
Taser, don’t fall for the lies. In Washington pork barrel spending is using money that you don’t have on things you don’t need (bridges to nowhere, study the mating habits of banana slugs, etc.).
The General Improvement Fund is money that is left over after the fiscal year that can be used for projects that serve a state purpose. Baker directed his to higher education.
December 11th, 2009 at 4:38 pm
Amen OzarksGOP
December 11th, 2009 at 9:12 pm
[...] Dems give Blanche Lincoln a (much-needed) boost… … as labor is up with an early ad attacking her top GOP opponent, Gilbert [...]
December 12th, 2009 at 9:47 am
I hadn’t decided who to vote for in the GOP primary. But if the labor unions and Dems have turned their cannons on Baker…he must be their biggest threat. Guess he gets my vote.
December 12th, 2009 at 12:58 pm
I don’t think Senator Lincoln would be very happy if groups ran ads asking people to call her on her cell or home phone.
December 14th, 2009 at 8:17 pm
[...] machine from Gilbert Baker. I thought I would share it with you. Baker is responding to this attack ad which is currently airing in a $200,000 media buy by a group funded by labor [...]