State official blasted for TV message

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Miami Herald

Posted on Wednesday, 03.11.09
State official blasted for TV message

A former campaign ad man for Attorney General Bill McCollum was paid $1.4 million to produce and televise a public service announcement on cybercrime.
BY BETH REINHARD
[e-mail]

Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum is starring in a long-running television ad promoting awareness about Internet predators that Democrats are calling a thinly disguised campaign commercial using state funds.

The same Philadelphia-based firm that worked on McCollum's 2006 campaign got two no-bid contracts totaling $1.4 million to produce the ad and buy television time statewide.

''Our cybercrime unit is doing everything possible to catch these predators, but we need the help of parents and grandparents -- your help,'' McCollum says in the ad, before directing viewers to his website on Internet crime at www.safeflorida.net. It's not unusual for politicians to appear in public service announcements, but McCollum's use of his longtime campaign ad man raised hackles among some Democrats.

''He's using money that should be promoting public safety to promote himself,'' said Florida Democratic Party spokesman Eric Jotkoff.

Read more: http://www.miamiherald.com/486/story/943461.html

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You remember U.S. Congressman Bill McCollum, don't you?

http://www.legalnewsline.com.nyud.net:8090/content/img/f213992/SZ200_mccollum.jpg http://cache.daylife.com.nyud.net:8090/imageserve/0fIndpx5UI27F/340x.jpg

http://network.bestfriends.org.nyud.net:8090/data/news/6958950805290914.jpg

He's not to be confused with Senator Mitch McConnell, also Republican.

http://www.bluegrassreport.org.nyud.net:8090/photos/uncategorized/mitch_mcconnell_head_shot.jpg http://www.wataugawatch.net.nyud.net:8090/uploaded_images/images-2-727014.jpg

[No Elephants]

1. Sorry, not seeing how this message is a political ,

ad campaign.

''Our cybercrime unit is doing everything possible to catch these predators, but we need the help of parents and grandparents -- your help,'' McCollum says in the ad, before directing viewers to his website on Internet crime at www.safeflorida.net."

I guess you could claim that the only reason he spent that much of Florida's money on this during these hard financial times was to keep his name before voters. But all the rest of the stuff--which ad agency, no bid contract (prefectly legal under Florida law), etc. only diffuses that message. Make it crystal clear and punch it home or don't bother.

Even at that, it's a hard sell. He is, after all the state's AG and Internet predators are real. Florida's very own Mark Foley, for one.

[DaLittle Kitty]

3. WAKEUP! Getting YOUR Name In Front Of DAVOTERS IS Political! This IS A TYPICAL

dirtbag tactic! Ole Bill Mc is a COMPLETE DIRTBAG WHO GOES TA CHURCH EEEVVVEREEE SUNDAY TOO!

[Chipper Chat]

2. "Manager" McCollom was rabid in going after the Clenis.

Now he's frothing over internet predators.
The GOP cultural agenda goes on.......