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Fresh Squeezed Politics - March On Politics Blog

Rubio launches first TV ad

Posted Mar 10, 2010 by William March

Updated Mar 10, 2010 at 10:36 AM

Marco Rubio has launched the first television ad of his U.S. Senate campaign.

The campaign wouldn’t say how much money it’s spending to buy time for the ad, but it’s running across the state on the Fox network.

The ad—see it here —is 60 seconds instead of the usual 30-second political spot, but videographically simple, consisting soley of Rubio, casually dressed, speaking into the camera, plus brief scenes of the Rubio family, with the couple’s four children.

It’s also unusual in that it’s not a typical “introduction” ad in which a candidate who’s less well known describes himself to voters. It includes only vague biographical details—the reference to Rubio’s children and a vague reference to his family’s history as Cuban expatriots. There is no refrence to Rubio’s history as a city council member, state legislator, lawyer and local-government lobbyist.

Instead, it emphasizes Rubio’s campaign theme that the race is a history-making contest with America’s future at stake. He also brings in his campaign’s chief weapon against Crist, Republican hatred of Barack Obama.

“This race is about bringing conservative leadership to Washington to take on President Obama and his liberal allies in Congress,” said Rubio strategist Pat Shortridge in a news release announcing the ad.

Release of the ad comes on a not-so-good news day for the Rubio campaign, however. His opponent, Gov. Charlie Crist, today is trumpeting a newspaper investigation that links Rubio to some $250 million in earmark spending during his career in the state Legislature, a blow to Rubio’s attempt to portray himself as a limited-government conservative and Crist as a big spender.

Here’s the script:

“My four children are part of the most important generation in American history.

If we can stop the growth of the federal deficit, end disastrous stimulus spending, reform the tax code to encourage job creation, and defeat the threat of radical Islam, theirs will be the most prosperous generation in America’s history.

But if we don’t, my children and yours will become the first generation of Americans to inherit a country worse off than before.

As the son of exiles, I understand what it means to lose the gift of freedom. And that’s why I know we cannot and will not allow America to fail at this time – in this way.

Washington is broken and too many politicians don’t get it. America needs Republicans who will stand up to Barack Obama – not join him. Leaders who will stand for conservative values – not sacrifice them.

If we are willing to do that when it’s popular and when it’s not, we can keep America great for this generation and many more to come.

I’m Marco Rubio and I approved this message.

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