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Politics

Attack Ads Launched in AG Race

October 26, 2010 - 6:00pm

Attack ads are being run across the Sunshine State as the race to be Floridas next attorney general has gone to the dogs -- literally.

Just as Franklin D. Roosevelt made Republican attacks on his Scottish terrier Fala a campaign issue in 1944 and vice presidential candidate Richard M. Nixon defended his family accepting a cocker spaniel named Checkers in 1952, a dog has taken center stage in a political race.

The Florida Democratic Party attacked Republican attorney general nominee Pam Bondi on Wednesday, unveiling a two-minute commercial slamming Bondi over a legal fight with a family whose dog was displaced in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Bondi had adopted the St. Bernard but, after a legal dustup with the original family who owned it, returned the dog.

"The story shared by Dorreen Couture about Pam Bondi's abuse of the legal system raises serious judgment questions," said Karen Thurman, chairwoman of the Florida Democratic Party, on Wednesday. "Ms. Couture's personal story of her experience with Pam Bondi's use of the court system to block the return of their family pet is outrageous and should leave Floridians questioning if Pam Bondi has the character to lead our state as attorney general.

"Ms. Bondi seeks to be the chief legal officer of Florida, added Thurman. Floridians really deserve to have a sense of how she exploited the legal system to determine whether she has the judgment to make some of the most important decisions facing our state. And after hearing the story told in the words of Ms. Couture, Floridians are left questioning whether Ms. Bondi can be trusted to exercise sound judgment as attorney general."

Thurman unveiled the new ad in Tampa. The Florida Democratic Party trumpeted the event in a release sent out on Tuesday with the title Florida Democratic Party Chair Thurman to Release Important Message Regarding Floridas Attorney General Race.

The Bondi camp fired back -- taking aim at Thurman and Democratic candidate Sen. Dan Gelber of Miami Beach.

Dan Gelber and the Democratic Party have hit a desperate new low today and are in everything and the kitchen sink mode to try and shrink Bondis continuing lead over Gelber in the election for attorney general, shot back Sandi Copes, a spokeswoman for Bondi.

Pam, like many caring people in our state, adopted a dog that was abandoned during the tragic times surrounding Hurricane Katrina, added Copes. After a significant length of time caring for her new pet, a woman came forward to claim the dog. Pam had concerns regarding the care and well-being of her adopted pet and took the time and actions necessary to ensure that he would be in the hands of the rightful owners and would be well taken care of.

Once again, Dan Gelber has broken all of his own campaign promises and has resorted to dirty campaigning and political tricks to try and win this election, closed Copes. His behavior is shameful, and calls into question that he has the integrity necessary to be Floridas chief legal officer."

Bondi launched an ad of her own, attacking Gelber for backing a bill that she maintains would have required women placing their children up for adoption to reveal their sexual histories publicly.

The bill, sponsored by Democrat Skip Campbell, passed the Republican-controlled Legislature in 2001 and became law when then-Gov. Jeb Bush chose not to veto it. Republicans, led by then-Rep. Mark Mahon of Jacksonville, repealed the law in 2003 with Bushs approval.

Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com or at (850) 727-0859.

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