Tolbert: AARP Objects To Pryor Ad

Once again Sen. Mark Pryor’s campaign is running into trouble over one of its campaign ads.

You may recall a couple of months ago I pointed out that one of Pryor’s ads did not contain the proper FEC disclosure.  They admitted the mistake and corrected the ad.

Well, Team Pryor is in hot water again – this time with the AARP.  A press release today from the leading senior advocacy group objected to the use of its logo in his ad.

“We want to inform our members and the voting public that AARP had nothing to do with the ads and did not authorize the use of our name or logo,” AARP Arkansas State Director Maria Reynolds-Diaz said. “AARP does not endorse candidates. We do not have a political action committee (PAC) and we do not make contributions to political campaigns or candidates.”

Reynolds-Diaz made it clear that the AARP neither authorized the ads nor participated in the production of two ads – one from the Pryor for Senate campaign called “Cuts” and another one from Sen. Harry Reid’s Senate Majority PAC called “Connect the Dots.”

“We encourage our members and all Americans to ask questions so they understand what the candidates’ positions are on these and other important issues and choose the candidates that best reflect their views and values,” Reynolds-Diaz added,  saying that AARP would be putting out voter guides later in the year explaining where candidates stand particularly on financial security and the future of Social Security and Medicare.

“We respect AARP’s independence as a nonpartisan advocate for seniors, which is why we chose to highlight their view that the plan Congressman Cotton supported ends the guarantee of affordable health coverage for older Americans,” said Erik Dorey, Pryor for Senate deputy campaign manager.

When asked directly, AARP stopped short of directly calling for the ads to be pulled, but it is apparent they are not pleased with the ad.

“As a nonpartisan organization, the bottom line for AARP is letting our members and the public know that we do not take sides in this or any other political race. We do not endorse candidates or make contributions to political campaigns or candidates. We did not know about the use of our name and our logo and did not authorize their use in these or any other political ads,” responded Reynolds-Diaz when asked if the group wanted the ad pulled.