The yin/yang of competing TV spots continues in Florida’s deadlocked gubernatorial race, starting with a new ad from Democrat Charlie Crist focusing on Gov. Rick Scott and his “shady” past.
Without treading on any new ground is “Then and Now,” which launches today from the Florida Democratic Party.
Once again, the FDP touches upon Scott’s troubles during his tenure as head of Columbia/HCA, which was forced to pay a record $1.7 billion fine.
“It was the largest Medicare fraud case in history,” the 30-second spot says. “And Rick Scott was CEO.”
Taxpayers and seniors were cheated, the ad continues as Scott “walked away with millions.”
Under Rick Scott, Floridians are still paying the price with higher utility rates and property taxes.
The other side of the coin comes a slightly new twist, courtesy of the Republican Party of Florida.
RPOF’s 30-second spot highlights $90,000 received by the Crist Campaign from “strip club owners,” including $40,000 from the owner of the Cheetah Hallandale Beach.
“Charlie’s War on Women” focuses on Democratic base voters, mainly females, by linking Crist to strip clubs – which the ad points out are the main perpetrators of sex trafficking.
The spot closes with Crist saying the money came from a “management company,” and does not intend to return the money, even after knowing the source.
With ads like these, there is little wonder why the race between Scott and Crist is basically a coin flip, tied at 42 percent each.
Both “Then and Now” and “Charlie’s War on Women” are available on YouTube.
