AdWatch on 2014 Gubernatorial races


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EXPLANATORY NOTE by OnTheIssues.org:

Starting well before each election, candidates produce and air politicial advertisements. Since Citizens United took effect, PACs have produced many campaign ads too.

In modern campaigns, ads might be on TV, but also might be via email, web video, Tweets, or other social media.

Political pundit publications, such as The Hill and Rollcall, analyze campaign advertisements as well as campaign events (although at OnTheIssues we ignore their relentless coverage of polls; since we consider them irrelevant to normal voters and relevant only to pundits!)

OnTheIssues.org reviews those ads and analyses for relevant issue content, including opponents' responses when available. Sometimes we transcribe the ads from video or audio; sometimes we include commentary; all the time, we urge paying attention to the opponent of each advertiser too, to get the full story!

OnTheIssues.org excerpts:  (click on issues for details)

Abortion     Larry Hogan: 1980s: ban abortions; 1992: don't overturn pro-choice laws.     Larry Hogan: Personally opposed but no effect since it's legally settled.     Charlie Crist: 2006: I'm pro-life; 2014: That was for Republicans.     Andrew Cuomo: Codify state with federal law to allow 9th-month abortions.     Rob Astorino: No 9th-month abortions, even if federal law allows it.

Budget & Economy     Mike Ross: AdWatch: Voted for $7 trillion in new debt and bailouts.     Asa Hutchinson: AdWatch: Worked for lobbying firm after leaving Congress.     Mike Ross: AdWatch: Trillions of things in common with Pelosi & Obama.     Tom Foley: AdWatch: Malloy's policies drive jobs out of state.

Civil Rights     Larry Hogan: Respect state law on same-sex marriage (even if not my view).     Larry Hogan: I evolved and will not repeal same-sex marriage law.     Larry Hogan: Opposes a transgender rights bill.     Rob Astorino: Opposes gay marriage, but it's a non-issue.     Rob Astorino: Opposes gay marriage, but it's the law of the land.     Tom Corbett: OpEd: Corbett knew federal LGBT laws; OK to change mind.

Education     Parker Griffith: AdWatch: New statewide vote on school-funding lottery.     Mike Ross: AdWatch: Unwavering commitment to our children and schools.

Energy & Oil     Rob Astorino: Government incentives for solar & geothermal.

Gun Control     Larry Hogan: Instant background checks tied to the federal system.     Rob Astorino: Opposes SAFE Act gun control measure.

Health Care     Charlie Crist: AdWatch: unwavering support of ObamaCare.     Rick Scott: AdWatch: "Let's Get to Work" opposing ObamaCare.

Homeland Security     Tom Foley: Appoint veteran-friendly Commissioner of Veterans Affairs.

Principles & Values     Tom Foley: AdWatch: NYC residents should move to CT under new governor.

Social Security     Allyson Schwartz: AdWatch: Trade benefit cuts for balancing budget.

Technology     Rob Astorino: Demanded mass transit capability on new Tappan Zee Bridge.

Welfare & Poverty     Neel Kashkari: With $40 & no job, economy hasn't improved since 2011.     Rob Astorino: AdWatch: Opposes affordable housing & hence minorities.

Click for quotations from other sources by: Allyson Schwartz Pennsylvania Democratic Challenger Andrew Cuomo New York Democratic Governor Asa Hutchinson Arkansas Republican Governor Charlie Crist Florida Democratic Governor Challenger Larry Hogan Maryland Republican Governor Mike Ross Arkansas Democratic Gubernatorial Challenger Neel Kashkari California Republican Gubernatorial Challenger Parker Griffith Alabama Democratic Challenger for Governor Rick Scott Florida Republican Governor Rob Astorino New York Republican Gubernatorial Challenger Tom Corbett Pennsylvania Republican Governor Tom Foley Connecticut Republican challenger