 |
||||||||
 |
||||||||
|
||||||||
|
Union's TV ads to tout McBride
By ADAM C. SMITH, Times Political Editor The first television ads of the Democratic campaign for governor are expected to appear Wednesday, as Florida's teachers union takes to the airwaves on behalf of underdog Bill McBride. The 30-second spot will introduce the Tampa lawyer as he battles to make up ground against front-runner Janet Reno. It touts McBride's call for improving Florida schools but concentrates on his life: growing up in small-town Florida, working his way through college, enlisting in the Marines for the Vietnam War, winning a Bronze Star and helping grow the Holland & Knight law firm into Florida's biggest. Tony Welch, a spokesman for the Florida Education Association, confirmed Monday that the ad was set to run Wednesday throughout the state, including Tampa Bay. It will not run in every market. He declined to say how long the ad would run or how much the union spent on it. "We think it shows what an impressive record he has and what a strong leader he is," said Welch, adding that the FEA may run more ads for McBride. The McBride campaign is banking on a TV campaign to cut away Reno's daunting lead in the polls. Campaign officials contend that Reno's support is soft enough that after Democrats see a viable alternative, particularly one with an inspiring life story, her supporters will peel away. Welch said one internal poll showed that after voters hear McBride's story, McBride pulls ahead of Reno among Democrats, 49 percent to 34 percent. The question is whether McBride and his supporters have enough money to tell enough Democrats about his story before the Sept. 10 primary. Reno does not plan to run any television ads before the primary, which may give McBride a window of opportunity. As of June 30, her campaign had less than $200,000 available to spend, compared with $1.2-million for McBride. McBride also expects ads promoting him from the AFL-CIO.
 © 2006 • All Rights Reserved • Tampa Bay Times
490 First Avenue South • St. Petersburg, FL 33701 • 727-893-8111 
|
From the Times state desk
From the state wire
|
