Republican Congressional candidate Dan Dolan launched his first television commercial yesterday, a little more than a week after his primary rival John Archer went up on the air. The video and transcript are after the jump. Up to now, Dolan has spread his message primarily through personal appearances around the district and direct mail.
A more extensive news roundup on the Iowa second Congressional district campaign is in progress. Any comments about that race are welcome in this thread. William Smith reported for The Hawk Eye that delegates to the second district Democratic convention on April 28 were solidly behind three-term incumbent Dave Loebsack. I have not been able to confirm whether his primary challenger, State Senator Joe Seng, attended the convention as well.
Dolan’s debut commercial is called “Dream”:
My annotated transcript:
Dolan speaks to the camera, with construction site in background: I’m Dan Dolan, and I’ve been building homes in Iowa for over 20 years. [words Dan Dolan Congress appear on right side of screen]
Dolan’s voice-over continues while footage changes: Three hundred homes later, I’ve learned something about making the American dream come true: make a plan, work hard, create your own future. [viewer sees clips of Dolan in various hands-on roles with other workers at a home construction site]
Dolan speaks to camera again: But the liberals in Washington have me thinking the dream we share is in danger. Reckless spending, deep in debt, no sign of stopping. It’s wrong.
I’m Dan Dolan, and I approved this message, because I want to keep America’s promise… [words appear near bottom of screen: DolanforCongress.com Paid for by the Committee to elect Dan Dolan. Approved by Dan Dolan]
… for our kids and their kids too. [Dolan hugs a child; his campaign logo appears on the right side of the screen]
Standard introductory piece, hitting a few standard conservative buzzwords. Did you ever notice that “liberals in Washington” are powerful only in Republican campaign messaging?
News flash for Dolan: non-defense discretionary spending (championed by those liberals) has been a minor factor in the growing U.S. budget deficits of the past decade. The main culprits have been “the Bush-era tax cuts, war spending in Iraq and Afghanistan, and recessions.”
Dolan’s generic message about making a plan and working hard reminded me of Jim Gibbons’ campaign videos and tv ads from the 2010 primary in IA-03. Gibbons was running against a candidate with a strong base in the population center of that district, whereas neither Dolan nor Archer is widely known around the new IA-02.
I am seeking comment from Dolan’s campaign about where this commercial is running, and whether it’s up on broadcast networks as well as cable. Archer’s television ad is running on Fox News cable district-wide.
To my ear, Dolan’s ad sounds more personal and less ideological than Archer’s spot, which centers on the constitution and attacks “government-run health care.” I don’t know which style is more effective leading up to a low-turnout primary.
The YouTube page where Dolan’s ad appears includes this short bio, also posted on Dolan’s campaign website:
Dan Dolan believes three things qualify a person for public service: Love of family and country, commitment to values, and real life experience.
Dan started in the energy industry, working around the world on drilling rigs and as an electrician. Since founding Dan Dolan Homes in 1991, he has built hundreds of homes for families across Eastern Iowa and created hundreds of jobs. Dan knows how to keep Iowans employed and prosperous in this competitive global economy.
Dan is married to his high school sweetheart, Celeste. They and their five children live Muscatine. His oldest son Kevin recently graduated from West Point and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Army. Dan is a Lifetime Member of the NRA and a 25 year parishioner at St. Andrews Church in the town of Blue Grass. He serves his community as a member of the Board of Directors of the Genesis Health Systems Foundation in Davenport. He is a member of the National Association of Homebuilders, National Association of Realtors, the Quad City Builders Association and the National Federation of Independent Business.
FRIDAY UPDATE: According to Matt Leopold of the Dolan campaign, this commercial is running on several cable networks in the eastern part of IA-02: Clinton, Muscatine, Quad Cities. It will eventually run in other media markets in the district.