Reality Check: Mark Kennedy's Ad
Pat Kessler
WCCO TV
(WCCO) Mark Kennedy's first ad is a friendly, self-deprecating look at a candidate who admits he's a little geeky.
But what the ad doesn't say is as interesting as what it does.
"Mark was always close to his brothers. They slept four to a room. We were close ... real close ... sometimes a little too close."
IN FACT, nowhere does this family-friendly political ad mention that Kennedy's a Republican, or a three-term Congressman. That's partly because national Republicans are fighting an image problem as the President's popularity is sinking, and because Minnesota voters appear to be leaning more independent and moderate than in years past.
"Dad likes to help people. He's principled, independent, just not much of a party guy. I meant ... he doesn't always do what the party says to."
But the FACT is Kennedy almost always votes with the President and the Republican Party.
The non-partisan Congressional Quarterly ranks Kennedy as among the most loyal to President Bush and Republicans. For issues on which President Bush took a stated position, CQ reports Kennedy supported him 87 percent of the time in 2005, and 97 percent of the time in 2002, 2003, and 2004.
"I'm Mark Kennedy and I don't know why, but I approve this message. I can't believe you did that party hat thing. I know."
That's NOT THE WHOLE STORY. The Kennedy commercial is similar to the offbeat ads introducing Paul Wellstone to Minnesota back in 1998.
The man behind it, Scott Howell, is Mark Kennedy's media consultant, and high on Democrats' enemies list. He produced this ad in Virginia attacking the Democratic candidate's death penalty position.
"Tim Kaine says that Adolf Hitler doesn't qualify for the death penalty."
IN FACT, some say the "Hitler Ad" in Virginia cost Howell's Republican client the election. His methods are controversial, but he's among the most effective media consultants in the country. He engineered victories locally for Minnesota Senator Norm Coleman, and South Dakota Senator John Thune.
That's Reality Check.
(© MMVI, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
WCCO TV
(WCCO) Mark Kennedy's first ad is a friendly, self-deprecating look at a candidate who admits he's a little geeky.
But what the ad doesn't say is as interesting as what it does.
"Mark was always close to his brothers. They slept four to a room. We were close ... real close ... sometimes a little too close."
IN FACT, nowhere does this family-friendly political ad mention that Kennedy's a Republican, or a three-term Congressman. That's partly because national Republicans are fighting an image problem as the President's popularity is sinking, and because Minnesota voters appear to be leaning more independent and moderate than in years past.
"Dad likes to help people. He's principled, independent, just not much of a party guy. I meant ... he doesn't always do what the party says to."
But the FACT is Kennedy almost always votes with the President and the Republican Party.
The non-partisan Congressional Quarterly ranks Kennedy as among the most loyal to President Bush and Republicans. For issues on which President Bush took a stated position, CQ reports Kennedy supported him 87 percent of the time in 2005, and 97 percent of the time in 2002, 2003, and 2004.
"I'm Mark Kennedy and I don't know why, but I approve this message. I can't believe you did that party hat thing. I know."
That's NOT THE WHOLE STORY. The Kennedy commercial is similar to the offbeat ads introducing Paul Wellstone to Minnesota back in 1998.
The man behind it, Scott Howell, is Mark Kennedy's media consultant, and high on Democrats' enemies list. He produced this ad in Virginia attacking the Democratic candidate's death penalty position.
"Tim Kaine says that Adolf Hitler doesn't qualify for the death penalty."
IN FACT, some say the "Hitler Ad" in Virginia cost Howell's Republican client the election. His methods are controversial, but he's among the most effective media consultants in the country. He engineered victories locally for Minnesota Senator Norm Coleman, and South Dakota Senator John Thune.
That's Reality Check.
(© MMVI, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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