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New Smith Ad Responds to Welch, IE (Watch Video)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SZLcRxI3O1s&feature=youtu.be

Tom Smith plays the Obama card, heavily, in his campaign’s latest ad. Responding to rival Steve Welch’s charge that Smith is a “Republican impersonator,” as well as a similar IE ad, Smith blasts him over his 2008 primary vote for Barack Obama.

“I’m Tom Smith. I’ve been a strong conservative all my life. I would never vote for Barack Obama, but Steve Welch voted for him. That’s the key difference in this race,” Smith says, direct to camera.

The Smith campaign pulled the trigger on this ad partly in response to Welch, but also to rebut similar charges made in a new independent expenditure (watch that ad here).

Welch’s catchy ad, unveiled last week, compares Smith to a bad Elvis impersonator. In it, he notes that Smith was a registered Democrat his entire life until he decided to run for U.S. Senate. He also criticizes Smith for a $2,400 contribution to Jason Altmire in 2009, and votes Smith made to raise taxes as Plumcreek Township Supervisor in the 1970s.

It’s hardly false, as Smith’s commercial contends. The only issue PoliticsPA sees with the spot is that by our count Smith voted for 3 tax increases, not 9.

The IE makes nearly identical attacks.

The rebuttal ad notes that Smith has supported numerous conservative causes and candidate for several decades.

Welch’s campaign says the ad is a sign of weakness.

“Tom Smith’s desperate new negative TV ad is not what a candidate runs when he’s ahead in the race,” said Welch campaign manager Peter Towey. “Smith knows his support is evaporating because Pennsylvania Republicans are starting to learn the truth that Smith is a lifelong Democrat who voted in 19 Democratic primaries and raised taxes 9 times.”

“Steve Welch voted for John McCain over Barack Obama, and he is supported by Gov. Corbett and the Pennsylvania GOP.  That’s the important difference in this race.”

12 Responses

  1. Let Smith and Welch duke it out and hopefully, Rohrer will take it all the way to D.C.

  2. Smith won’t get my vote. I’m tired of deception. For me 2012 is all about getting rid of liars–not electing more of them. Smith claims to be an honest, good old farm boy. But I have several problems with his integrity. First, he has spent millions in an attempt to circulate HALF TRUTHS about Sam Rohrer. Surely Tom knows the Pay Raise vote was standard, constitutional procedure right? Surely Smith wouldn’t distort the truth for political gain when he’s trying to sell the public on his honesty. Or should we believe a man who is running for U.S. Senate doesn’t know the constitution? Would think Tom would firm up on the constitution BEFORE running for senate and certainly before launching an attack ad that makes him look like he’s either ignorant or exploiting the ignorant. What a massive integrity shortfall.

    But what bothers me even more, is that here is a man who has a massive platform, and rather than use it to be humble, and up front with the voters about who he is, he cleverly disguises himself, camouflaging a past he knows will matter to Republican voters. A majority have no idea Smith was a lifelong Democrat who only became Republican 7 months ago. A man with integrity would be upfront with voters and allow them to make an informed decision. In fact, it might have been endearing. Instead, he is duping the public. We expect this from the “career politicians” he claims he’s running against–although Sam Rohrer doesn’t deny his past. He owns it.

    Career politician has gotten a bad name because most of them are dirty and self serving. I’m having trouble with Smith acting like the career politician, and pinning the title on Sam, who has campaigned, as usual, like a gentleman.

  3. …And as the hail mary is thrown it is broken up in the end zone. In reality, can’t blame the others for making a sporting attempt.

  4. Those trying to use Smith’s democrat years against him would never have voted for Reagan. Reagan was a long time democrat before he changed to republican. Enough already.

  5. How can anyone who was a democrat for 42 years and was an elected democrat party official, claim to be a republican?

  6. I don’t see much difference between Casey and Smith. Casey claims to be a moderate Democrat (though we all know different!) and Smith is a moderate Republican (now). Two men claiming middle ground, both with a liberal voting record (albeit Smith’s is a local record). That sure won’t motivate the conservative base to come out in Nov.

  7. I believe Tom Smith is the best guy to run against Casey without a doubt. Good luck trying to convince most people otherwise. People can certainly see for themselves.

  8. Look up the stories on the Leader Times or Kittanning Paper website. The hiring fiasco happened in January and February 2012. The investigation into Battaglias finances is going on right now.

  9. Its great to hear that people in other parts of the state are finally catching on to what people in Smith’s home county already knew. If Smith can lie so blatantly in his campaign, what else does he lie about?

    Smith was top contributer in Armstrong County commissioner David Battaglia’s campaign. The first thing Battaglia did as commissioner was to give Tom Smith’s daughter a job in the Armstrong County courthouse. This caused so much controversy that local GOP treasurer, Randy cloak, resigned in protest. Currently, there is an investigation into Battaglia’s campaign finances. He refuses to give the name of who donated $7800 to his campaign. He originally reported it as one donation. When questioned, he amended his report to show it as multiple under $50 donations. Who is he protecting??

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