Strickland campaign releases new television/ radio ads targeting Second Amendment voters

by Chad D. Baus

On October 5, the Strickland for Governor campaign released a new television ad, entitled "Hunters," which highlights Strickland's support of hunters and his endorsement by the National Rifle Association (NRA) and Buckeye Firearms Association (BFA).

"In Washington, John Kasich voted to take away our gun rights. In fact, John Kasich's record was so bad, the NRA gave him an F," the ad says. "But Governor Ted Strickland has been an ardent supporter of the Second Amendment."

The ad seeks to make it clear that Strickland has the record that Ohio hunters can support.

The script and ad back up follow.

STRICKLAND FOR GOVERNOR
"HUNTERS"
TV: 30

Audio

Background

Kasich Voted For The Clinton Gun Ban. In May 1994, Kasich voted for the Clinton gun ban. Kasich voted for it again once it was rolled into the crime bill. [HR 4296, Vote #156, 5/5/1994, H Res 526, Vote #414, 8/21/1994; HR 3355, Vote #415, 8/21/1994; HR 3355, Vote# 416, 8/21/1994]

Kasich's Continued To Support The Clinton Gun Ban In 1996. In 1996, the House voted to repeal the 1994 gun ban. Kasich voted against the repeal. [HR 125, Vote #92, 3/22/96]

Kasich Voted In Support Of The D.C. Gun Ban. In 1999, Congressman Kasich voted against an amendment to repeal the law which prohibits District of Columbia residents from possessing a firearm. [HR 2122, Vote #240, 6/18/1999]

Kasich Voted To Restrict Gun Shows. In 1999, Congressman Kasich voted twice to increase background checks aimed at closing down gun shows. [HR 1501, Vote #447, 9/24/1999; HR 1501, Vote #438, 9/23/1999]

Audio (cont'd)

Background

Ted Strickland Is Endorsed By The NRA And Buckeye Firearms Association. According to The Cincinnati Enquirer, "Gun owners and Second Amendment rights activists may tend to vote Republican, but in this year's Ohio governor's race, that may not necessarily be the case. After winning the National Rifle Association (NRA) endorsement last month, the incumbent Democratic governor, Ted Strickland, picked up another one Saturday - the Buckeye Firearms Association, an influential group that lobbies for pro-gun legislation in the Ohio Statehouse." [The Cincinnati Enquirer, 7/13/2010]

Strickland Received An A+ Rating From The NRA. According to the Lima News, "Political endorsements come in tiers, and they don't come much stronger than from the National Rifle Association. Gov. Ted Strickland accepted that endorsement, along with an A-plus rating on Monday. On Tuesday, he hit the road to tout it, with a stop in Town Square." [Lima News, 6/16/2010]

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According to The Columbus Dispatch, the ad is slated to run on outdoor and sportsmen shows on cable and broadcast stations statewide.

A 60 second radio commercial with similar content also began running across the state last week.

The Sportsmen for Strickland campaign have been utilizing video to get their message out about the governor's support for Second Amendment rights for some time now. In late 2009, the campaign released a more comprehensive video addressing Second Amendment issues in the run-up to the primary election:

For much of the 2010 campaign season, the economy has dominated voters' thoughts as to their plans for the voting booth - far outweighing factors that often make the difference in close elections. But with several polls showing the race has closed to with the margin of error, the gun issue could again become a deciding factor.

Chad D. Baus is the Buckeye Firearms Association Vice Chairman.