Are Newhouse Campaign Ads Truthful, Factual? You Decide…

Kudos to television station KEPR-TV for taking a look inside the 4th. District campaign ads.

The 4th District Congressional race to replace Doc Hastings has turned very "spirited,"  some say nasty,  in recent weeks.

The campaign had it's typical back and forth ads on radio, TV, newspaper and direct mail until a group supporting Newhouse called Washington's Future stepped in. Then the mud began slinging really started.   Fueled by $55,000, this group has been airing some bizarre radio ads, and has become known for it's accusation of Clint Didier as being "weird and extreme."

Some say that phrase has attatched itself to the Newhouse campaign much like Obama's "You Didn't Build That" phrase.     Surprisingly, Washington's Future was created in large part by a guy many people respected for his "Doc" like demeanor and calm, rational political style - former Senator Slade Gorton.   The people he's hired to run this PAC are using Democratic-style attack ads to go after the core of Didier's character.

KEPR-TV analyzed some of the ads being run by Newhouse, who has aired by far the most attack ads.    One Newhouse ad contains claims Didier wants to phase out Social Security.   This is what KEPR found out he really said:

It came from the Tacoma News Tribune in 2010, which summarized statements made by candidates running for Senator Patty Murray's seat. Didier responded to a question about the rising cost of entitlements, like Medicare.

Didier was quoted saying, "Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security. Sooner or later they're going to have to be phased out, but we do got to take care of those people that are in need of them."

Didier, like many who criticize the government's raiding of the seniors trust fund, believes the system will bankrupt itself and won't be there for future generations.  Figures and reports from the government's own Accounting Office (GAO) showed that years ago.

According to KEPR, when they looked into other claims made in the Newhouse ads:

So how about this claim, "Didier wants current workers to double pay into social security."

The ad cites the Daily Sun News out of Sunnyside. But our research found this wasn't a direct quote from Didier. It was part of an article from just a couple weeks ago. The writer was summarizing Didier's statements in a meet and greet and this wasn't a direct quote.

The ad goes on to claim Didier wants to "gut" the VA. This was also not a direct quote and was cited from a candidate forum in June, though no recording of that is available.

While many criticize the administrative arm of the Veterans Administration, many experts (including those who've appeared on the Mark Levin syndicated talk show) say the actual care is quite good.  What needs gutting, say  conservative GOP critics, is the bloated and inefficient way in which vets claims and cases are processed.

KEPR noted that while Newhouse has been running the most attack ads, Jim Keogh - his campaign manager - continues to make claims that HIS campaign is being attacked by Didier.  Didier has countered as well by saying citizens should have expected these "attacks" on his campaign, because the GOP "establishment" doesn't like him.   He has said their ineffective leadership is the reason we're in this "mess in the first place."

Some observers say the 4th. District race points out the disconnect between political parties and the citizens they are supposed to represent within the GOP, as both are Republican candidates.

But perhaps the best advice came at the end of the KEPR article:
"A reminder to all voters to check their sources, before believing any campaign ad."