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A Project of The Annenberg Public Policy Center

Giuliani’s Tax Puffery

A new radio ad boasts that Rudy Giuliani “cut or eliminated 23 taxes” while mayor of New York City. We find that to be an overstatement.

Third Time ‘Round for GOP Hopefuls

Pollsters will inform us whether the third time was the charm for any of these candidates in the eyes of potential voters. All we can do is remind you not to believe everything you hear.

Sopranos Lite? Casting Menendez in a Culture of Corruption

Two of the most recent ads being aired in New Jersey by Republican Tom Kean Jr. and the NRSC stick to the recipe the Republicans have been using all season against Sen. Robert Menendez: Show the Democratic incumbent as sleazy, corrupt and possibly a criminal.

Kentucky Mudslinging: Accusations Without Evidence

Republican Rep. Ron Lewis of Kentucky attacks his opponent, retired Army Col. Mike Weaver, with an ad saying the Democrat is “not fit for duty in Congress” because of a National Guard pay-for-promotion scandal that goes back 14 years.

Taxing Times in Ohio Battleground

The National Republican Congressional Committee is going after Franklin County Commissioner Mary Jo Kilroy for violating a “no new taxes stand” that – in fact –she never took.

Casting Credentials Away in the Old Dominion

An attack ad by Republican Sen. George Allen tries to portray his opponent, Democrat James Webb, as a lightweight, wrongly claiming he served under former President Ronald Reagan for 10 months before quitting.

Overreaching in Ohio

An ad by a new outside group, Majority Action, which is co-chaired by former Democratic National Committee co-chairman Joe Andrew, attacks Ohio Republican Rep. Deborah Pryce for traveling too much at the expense of “big special interests,” weakening ethics rules and trying to block a probe of infamous and indicted Republican lobbyist Jack Abramoff.

Volleys of Tax Votes: A September Blizzard in Ohio

The National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) accuses GOP incumbent Sen. Mike DeWine’s Democratic challenger, Rep. Sherrod Brown, of voting for higher taxes – over 35 times, according to a TV ad. Brown, in a response ad, defends himself, saying he “voted to cut taxes for the middle class 33 times,” and charges DeWine with voting for “the Bush tax breaks for the wealthy,” for “taxes on Social Security,” and with wanting to put Social Security into “risky stock market investments.”

A Domestic Issue that Hits Home

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee began running ads attacking Republicans for accepting pay raises while opposing an increase in the federal minimum wage. The ads are accurate, but exaggerated.

Down and Dirty in Georgia

Both candidates for the Democratic slot on the gubernatorial ballot overplay their hands.