Truth often elusive in political ads

San Francisco Chronicle ^ | 9/15/10 | Joe Garofoli,Carla Marinucci, Chronicle Political Writers

[SmithL]

California's governor's race has turned into a multimillion-dollar advertising game of "I know you are, but what am I?"

On Tuesday, Democrat Jerry Brown released two 15-second statewide TV ads lambasting his GOP opponent Meg Whitman as a "Pinocchio" for lying in her political advertising.

His move came in response to Whitman's new ad featuring former President Bill Clinton who, in his 1992 presidential primary debate with Brown, accused the former California governor of raising taxes.

Whitman's team has refused to pull the ad despite requests from Brown after a nonpartisan fact-checking group, along with the state Department of Finance, found that taxes went down when Brown was governor from 1975-83.

. . .

Actual statements

In the Jerry Brown-Bill Clinton ad, a top national advertising executive told The Chronicle, the Whitman campaign can claim that it is based on fact because it uses actual statements that Clinton made during a presidential debate.

[SmithL]

Meg Whitman is depicted as "Pinocchio" in an ad accusing her of lying about Jerry Brown.

[Seruzawa]

Jerry Brown is like a recurring melanoma.

[CharlesWayneCT]

Actually, if anybody lied, it was Bill Clinton. Which wouldn’t be surprising. Maybe Brown should go after Clinton. Oh wait, he did. And now he has Clinton’s endorsement. Because a liar’s endorsement is worth so much.

[EnigmaticAnomaly]

"Truth often elusive in political ads"