Cook: New John Burkhalter Ad Raps Tim Griffin’s D.C. Record

Democratic Lt. Governor candidate John Burkhalter released a new TV ad Thursday that contrasts his experience with his opponent, GOP Congressman Tim Griffin. This is the first TV ad Burkhalter has aired that goes directly after Griffin. You can view the ad below.

In a conference call today with reporters announcing the new ad, Burkhalter laid out his case.

“There is a clear choice in this race. I know how to create jobs. I’ve been building things and creating jobs in Arkansas my entire life. Tim Griffin is a career politician with nearly twenty years in Washington,” Burkhalter said.

The first part of the 30-second ad goes directly after Tim Griffin for voting for tax breaks for companies who send jobs overseas and for voting against tax cuts for businesses. Burkhalter also tags Griffin for being in Washington, D.C. for twenty years.

The second half of the ad has Burkhalter speaking to camera, discussing his successful business career and his working with Governor Beebe to create jobs.

It”s a clear contrast between the two candidates: Tim Griffin, a D.C. politician who”s never created one job versus casino pa natet John Burkhalter, a job creator who has run several successful businesses.

An untold story so far in this race is how heavily Burkhalter has spent money early to introduce himself to Arkansans. He”s been on broadcast TV continuously since mid-July. Tim Griffin”s general election ads are currently scheduled to begin on October 7, but Burkhalter”s new ad may change that timetable.

According to his July and August fundraising reports, Burkhalter has spent roughly $377,000 so far in television advertising and roughly $105,000 on direct mail.

Will Burkhalter”s early investment in political advertising pay dividends in November? We”ll know soon enough.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=euSIynjCyFg?list=UUXVMsPU5_4WRm__qKH-yw_g]