'Rats' Ad Replacement Raps Gore
The CBS News Political Unit is tracking the latest campaign commercials. Jane Ruvelson analyzes a new GOP ad that replaces the party's controversal "rats" ad. The new commercial attacks Al Gore's prescription drug plan.
The Ad: The Republican National Committee has launched a new ad comparing the Bush and Gore prescription drug proposals. According to the RNC, the ad, entitled Federal, will replace a similar but controversial ad that flashed the word "rats" for 1/30th of a second. Federal, a 30-second spot, is running in Florida, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, New Mexico, Oregon and West Virginia
Audio: Announcer: Under Clinton/Gore, prescription drug prices have skyrocketed, and nothing’s been done. George Bush has a plan: add a prescription drug benefit to Medicare.
George W. Bush: Every senior will have access to prescription drug benefits.
Announcer: And Al Gore? He says he wants to fight for the people against HMOs, but his prescription drug plan forces seniors into one HMO selected by the federal government. Al Gore: federal HMO. George Bush: seniors choose. (This audio is similar to the audio from the ad that was pulled.)
Visual: Visuals in Federal are much the same as those in the RNC’s earlier prescription drug ad, called Priority. Federal contains shots of pill containers, Bush on the campaign trail, and seniors. Additionally, the RNC has replaced “bureaucrats,” which partially flashed across the screen as “rats,” with “federal,” which flashes on screen as “fe” and “ral.”
Fact check: As in the RNC’s last prescription drug ad, George Bush’s contention that "Every senior will have access to prescription drug benefits" is misleading. Though seniors would have multiple plans available to them under Bush’s proposal, many who make more than $11,300 will receive subsidies too small to totally cover the cost of a coverage plan. Also, saying seniors would be forced into an HMO selected by the government under Gore's plan is a bit of a stretch; seniors who want drug coverage would get it through Medicare. Furthermore, Gore’s plan is voluntary.
The Strategy: After the hue and cry over their last prescription drug ad, the Republicans have launched one which they say "tests better" with focus groups. The commercial again questions Gore’s credibility, attempting to establish Gore as a politician who will say one thing and do another. It also tars Gore as a big government proponent.