Right on Independent Tom Horner‘s heels, Republican Tom Emmer released his first television ad on Sunday. It’s called “Work” and it features Emmer’s best asset: his family. A Republican running for governor has to win the suburbs and exurbs and by showcasing his seven children Emmer is working on that suburban appeal. Its positive upbeat message also tries to blunt Emmer’s image Republican insiders are concerned has been appearing too “harsh & mean.” We sat down with all the Emmer kids at one time for our upcoming biography series and they were fun.
Emmer’s campaign says “He knows, as Minnesotans know, that what we’ve been doing isn’t working. The same old solutions of the past that other candidates are offering will only give us the same results. It’s time for a new direction!” Left-leaning Alliance for a Better Minnesota contradicted the ad in a news release saying “Government recovery spending creates jobs in Minnesota” and “Emmer opposed a job creation bill. On March 29, 2010, Emmer voted against a DFL-written jobs bill, which passed the House 112-20.” Democrat Mark Dayton said he planned to fundraise for his next ad, but could self-fund again if needed.
I’m always a bit saddened when any candidate feels the need to employ his or her kids in a political ad.
Why is that, John?
Are you anti-family?
Or just a left wing zealot feeling a teensy bit nervous about November?
No BD, and I deeply resent the insinuation that I am “anti-family.” I’ve buried a child, so I don’t take that kind of crap well. An apology is in order.
What happens in November, happens in November. You and I are but two votes in that process. Once the election is over, everyone moves on. That’s the way it works. And, for the record, I’m no left wing zealot.
If Mr. Emmer is elected, the lives of these kids will be significantly changed for at least four years. Each will have a security detail assigned to them. I know this because I have been a soccer referee who has had, on separate occasions, each of the Pawlenty children on a team. Each came with their own trooper in an unmarked vehicle.
I don’t think most voters are going to base their vote on the kids of the candidate. IMHO, the kids should be off-limits to any political sleaze, regardless of party affiliation of their parent. If the “kid” is an adult, that’s different. They probably aren’t living at home and have their own career, etc. The young adult-aged kids of pols that I have known over the years (from both parties) usually went out of their way to stay as far away from their political parent as much as possible.
Didn’t think you’d bother to respond. 95 percent personal insults and/or name-calling and 10 percent “facts.”