U.S. SENATE RACE // Democrat Ben Cardin Releases New Television Ad Featuring BWI Airport: "Heavy Lifting"

U.S. Senator Ben Cardin is airing a new television ad for his re-election campaign. You can watch the ad below and read the accompanying press release explanation (excerpt below):

Press Release

CARDIN RELEASES NEW TV AD HIGHLIGHTING
HIS WORK TO PROTECT MARYLAND JOBS

Baltimore, MD - U.S. Senator Ben Cardin released the latest television ad of his 2012 re-election campaign, further highlighting his priority accomplishments in the U.S. Senate. This latest ad, “Heavy Lifting,” focuses on Senator Cardin’s work to preserve Maryland’s economy through strategic investments in our transportation infrastructure, especially BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport.  It can be viewed at www.bencardin.com.

“Quality transportation infrastructure creates jobs today and becomes a magnet for successful businesses, big and small. I have dedicated myself to working with local communities and state agencies to bring the types of investments in airports, roads and trails they need to strengthen their local economies and create local, high quality jobs,” said Senator Cardin, who serves on the Senate Transportation Infrastructure Subcommittee (EPW). “I am proud of my many accomplishments working in the U.S. Senate on behalf of the people of Maryland, particularly the fight to create and protect jobs. The Conference of Mayors reports that $1 spent on public infrastructure results in $6.35 in economic growth for the nation, making infrastructure a smart investment for America's economic recovery."

VIDEOS: Out-of-State Casinos Launch War Over Gambling Expansion in Maryland // WATCH QUESTION 7 TV ADS

Maryland Juice has been following the heated debate over whether to expand gambling and add table games to Free State casinos. Indeed, this November Maryland voters will be asked to decide on the fate of gambling expansion through "Question 7" (a vote "FOR" would expand gambling, while a vote "AGAINST" would limit gambling to the currently approved slot machine sites). In an editorial piece, The Washington Post recently noted that the media war over the issue has already begun -- to the tune of millions of dollars in advertising by non-Maryland casino interests (excerpt below):

WASHINGTON POST: A pitched TV ad war is underway in Maryland, pitting one out-of-state ­gaming-industry behemoth against another. At last count, the two firms had spent $15 million in the fight to influence voters, who will cast ballots in November on an expansion of gambling in Maryland that would authorize a sixth casino and add table games such as poker at all venues....

The main combatants — though the ads don’t name them — are Las Vegas-based MGM Resorts International and Pennsylvania-based Penn National Gaming. If voters approve the expansion, MGM has the inside track to build what could be an $800 million casino at National Harbor in Prince George’s County; unsurprisingly, it is behind the pro-expansion ads. Penn National is worried that the new casino would sap profits at its own marquee property 90 minutes away, Hollywood Casino in Charles Town, W.Va.; it has paid for the ads against expansion....

Copies of many of these advertisements are available online (Hat tip: Maryland's rightwing Monoblogue). I've included a few examples below, so that you can see what the propaganda looks like surrounding Question 7. The ads below are being promoted by the campaign websites for the casino operators (VoteForSeven.com and FactsOn7.com):

PRO-GAMBLING AD #1 URGING VOTE "FOR" QUESTION 7:

 
PRO-GAMBLING AD #2 URGING VOTE "FOR" QUESTION 7:

  ANTI-GAMBLING AD #1 URGING VOTE "AGAINST" QUESTION 7:        

CD6 VIDEO: Roscoe Bartlett Airs 1st Negative TV Ad Against Democrat John Delaney // PLUS: Read Delaney's Response

BARTLETT THROWS FIRST PUNCH: Rep. Roscoe Bartlett has followed up on recent GOP attack mail against his opponent John Delaney, with a new negative TV ad against the Democratic challenger. The Washington Post's Ben Pershing reported on the context and content for the ad (excerpt below).

WASHINGTON POST: Bartlett’s TV ad, his first of the general election, takes aim at some of the companies that took loans from Capital Source....

“Delaney’s company owned nursing homes where Medicare inspectors found mistreatment of seniors, including failing to properly administer medication and failing to treat seniors with dignity and respect."

“Delaney’s company also backed a landfill that was shut down for illegally accepting thousands of tons of trash."

You can also watch the Roscoe Bartlett attack ad below:



John Delaney's campaign responded with the following press statement and rebuttals: