When an incumbent spends money in the month of April, they’re in trouble. When an incumbent spends money on a fake ad complete with a fake Senate committee hearing, fake journalists and even a fake name tag, they’re in deep trouble. While many are simply poking fun at Democratic Senator Mary Landrieu, there is actually a serious component to the campaign’s decision to put on such a display in her new ad.
Mary Landrieu’s new ad depicts a fictitious reality because, despite her claims, she will never win with the truth. “For years, she’s forced Washington to respect Louisiana,” but her constituents have always opposed ObamaCare, yet she says she would vote for the law again.
To be sure, the ad attempts to focus on oil and gas production, which Landrieu was quick to underscore last month in an interview. However, JAZZ PAC, Landrieu’s political action committee, takes money from oil and gas supporters and gives them to liberal lawmakers who hate the industry her state depends upon.
The bottom line is this. Incumbents who are supposedly not worried about trailing their opponents as early as April, should not be spending money. Landrieu’s campaign has consistently brought up the point that she has yet to spend money, though she put aside air time. Yet, now she is, in an effort to literally fabricate an alternative reality.
“If the only way Sen. Landrieu can get votes is by manipulating the truth, it’s further proof we need change,” John Cummins, a spokesman for her top challenger, Bill Cassidy, said in an email. Of course, the campaign has a different perspective
“It is against Senate ethics rules to use footage that was shot using Senate cameras in campaign ads,” wrote Landrieu campaign manager Adam Sullivan in an email. Senate Resolution 431 does prohibit Senate floor footage from being used in campaign ads, but that’s not really the point, as her opposition is already underscoring.
The Republican opposition research super-PAC, America Rising, released this video in response to Landrieu’s new ad. Her re-enacted statement is juxtaposed with her actual statements from the hearing.
We currently rate the Louisiana Senate race a “Toss-Up” on our 2014 Senate Map Predictions. However, we first released our expanded analysis on the race back in Dec., and her actions may just mean we have to reexamine her chances.
