From Deseret News archives:
Babka radio ads airing — but only on Internet
Only place to hear his radio spots is on the Internet
The ads contain strong criticism of Cannon's record and positions on immigration reform, jobs, education, Social Security and Medicare, but so far the only place to listen to them is on the Internet.
By contrast, Cannon's campaign has been flush with funds, having raised and spent more than 16 times the money raised by Babka.
As of Friday, Babka's campaign had collected less than $37,000 compared to more than $570,000 for Cannon.
Cannon spent about 75 percent of his money in the Republican primary, but he still had raised more than $90,000, or nearly three times Babka's entire war chest, since July 1.
Unable to buy commercial time, Babka's campaign sent links for the would-be radio ads, which are at www.BeauBabka.com. to an e-mail list of about 400 people. Many of them have forwarded the messages to others around the country, Babka campaign manager Jeff Bell said.
"We're still trying to get enough money to push them out on radio," Bell said.
If Babka can't raise the money to air the spots, he'll have to rely on the Internet a la Howard Dean, his grassroots campaign and several debates to reach voters over the next 12 days.
Cannon and Babka also are scheduled to meet in three more debates Saturday on KUED-TV at 6:30 p.m., Monday on KCPW at 11:45 a.m. and next Wednesday on KBYU. The KBYU debate will air at 9 p.m.
The ads take direct aim at Cannon.
A spot about Cannon's vote against the Social Security lockbox starts with, "The American Association of Retired Persons, the Utah Seniors Coalition and the Alliance of Retired Americans all agree that Chris Cannon's voting record in Congress is an attack on the health and well-being of America's senior citizens."
One of two ads about jobs lost to other countries states, "The voters in the 3rd District need to know that Chris Cannon's misguided idea of economic stimulation is by sending jobs out of the country."
An ad on immigration reform is titled "Un-potency": "Chris Cannon really likes to brag how powerful and influential he is in Washington, D.C.," a woman says with a disbelieving chuckle.
A man joins in: "But did you know that Chris Cannon's AgJOBS bill — called the AgJOBS amnesty bill by Fox News — sat in committee for almost two years due to strong opposition from members of his own party? Cannon was unable to get his AgJOBS bill scheduled for a vote in committee, let alone out to the House floor with enough votes to get it passed, even with White House support. Congressmen from both sides of the aisle know that Cannon's AgJOBS bill is bad for America."
