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The Iowa Senate will remain under the control of a slim 26-25 Democratic majority when it reconvenes in January 2012.
I have received a report that at least one Republican candidate for Iowa House is running a negative TV ad that uses Sen. Barack Obama’s campaign message of “the change we need” over “more of the same” against the Democrat in the race.
Jarad Klein, who is running for the open seat in House District 89 against Democrat Larry Marek, has been on television with a positive, biographical ad for weeks, but his latest ad criticizes his opponent, alleging that Marek is running a “false and negative” campaign.
With a month to go until election day, neither campaign has actually gone very negative so far, but what’s most interesting about Klein’s ad is the end, which features an announcer who says, “Larry Marek. One more vote for more of the same. Larry Marek. Not the change we need.”
That plays very explicitly on Obama’s campaign themes in an effort to tie a Democrat to Sen. John McCain in a district that is somewhat conservative, but where independent voters might lean Obama.
Both Klein and Marek are relatively unknown, so defining Marek as “more of the same” before he has a chance to define himself might just work. If it does, Klein will have Obama to thank.
Here’s the full script of Klein’s latest TV ad, which is apparently running frequently on cable, transcribed by a resident of House District 89:
What’s behind Larry Marek’s false and negative campaign against Jarad Klein? (“LIES” flashes on screen)
A record of betrayal he’s desperate to hide.
Larry Marek says he’ll work for us in Des Moines, but he’s already pledged his support to liberals who have raised our taxes and increased government spending.
Higher taxes. More out of control spending.
Larry Marek. One more vote for more of the same.
Larry Marek. Not the change we need.
Update: And to add an extra bit of irony to the story, Jarad Klein actually got his start in politics as an intern for President George W. Bush’s 2000 campaign, so Obama’s “more of the same” meme might apply more to him than to his opponent.
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