May 20, 2008 - 1:15am
Summers calls on Scontras to pull negative radio ad
By Jessica AlaimoCheck PolitickerME.com Tuesday for more on Monday night's debate
Dean Scontras, Republican candidate in the First Congressional District, launched the first negative ad of the primary season Monday, criticizing opponent Charlie Summers for voting for the largest tax increase in Maine’s history in 1991 in the state Senate.
Click here for the ad, in which a narrator reads: “Summers voted to raise income taxes, sales taxes and taxes on food. He didn't stop there. Summers also voted to increase gas taxes, and taxes on meals and lodging.”
Both candidates call themselves fiscal conservatives and have called for tax cuts and less spending in Washington.
Summers called on Scontras to pull the ad at a debate Monday evening in Alfred. He cited tough times in 1991, and that the ad hurt all those who served in state government. The vote was taken out of context, he said.
“Republicans took a tough stand in this state and it’s very difficult to hear someone take shots at those people, when that person only registered to vote in the state on Nov. 7, 2006,” Summers said.
Scontras took a job in Washington after graduating from the University of Maine in 1991.
When the tax increases occurred, the Republicans were the minority party in both chambers. Republicans tried to cut the budget and pass tax cuts, all of which was defeated. It resulted in a shut-down of state government over the issue of worker’s compensation. Republicans were then able to “back the Democrats against the wall” by linking the issue to the state budget.
“By the tone of the ad, and the tone this race has taken, he has no idea what he’s talking about, in particular what this state was like in 1991 when the cost of worker’s compensation was driving businesses out of this state,” Summers said.
Scontras responded Monday that he would not pull the ad, as it presented facts about Summers’ record.
In a release, campaign manager Michael Pajak said: “Career politicians like Mr. Summers will promise one thing to the voters and do something completely different when it comes time to vote and the special interests come knocking. Let's do something bold and send someone to Washington who has never voted for a tax increase before.”
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Shocked
I surprised that with all the staff Scontras has working on his Maine campaign he couldn't have one of them check the facts.
Dean, you sure can pick 'em...
<comment edited> note: please do not attack people personally. Thanks.
Dean, your staff has had a lot of trouble staying in the good graces of Maine Republicans. Are you ready for them to guide you to that same fate?
Another bit of confusion
Why is Michael Pajak quoting himself in campaign releases? Doesn't it make more sense to quote the candidate? If something is to distasteful or inaccurate or inflammatory for the candidate to say himself, then maybe the campaign should not say it at all. Or is the ego of the staffer as great or greater than the ego of the candidate?
Taxes in 91
Why doesn't Summers just take it like a man and admit that he did vote for higher taxes back then and they were NEVER lowered and that vote contributed to the tax burden we face today. When Scontras registered to vote in Maine is a side issue because we are concerned here with ideology. The bigger fact is that Scontras LEFT Maine because even back then it was a challenege to live and work in Maine because of tax burdens. Summers did not help matters by voting for the largest tax hike in Maine history. Summers states that good came from his vote. Thats like telling the man who fell down and broke his wrist while suffering a heart attack, that he should be happy that we at least fixed his wrist.
Scontras ad
“Republicans took a tough stand in this state and it’s very difficult to hear someone take shots at those people,...."
Charlie, Is it already getting too warm in the kitchen?
Turn offthe radio if you don't want to hear the ad.
Out of context... Yeah '91 was tough but not as tough as it has been the last three years and not as tough as it will be in the next three.
Charlie really has no defense, unless he decides to go eye for eye. But, I think if he stays positive, people may see Dean as a whiney liitle so and so, that likes to call names because he doesn't have much of a reputation that he is running on, or can be attacked for in return.
I guess you haven't heard Dean in person
Whiney?.....Apparently you have not heard Dean in person address the issues. I've heard him multiple times and each time I feel like the person who has been held under water and then was brought up for air. Dean is a breath of fresh air that's for sure.
Vote Charlie Bummers 4 Congress.
Hello all,
I am Charlie Bummers. This is my 3rd lame campaign for Congress. I have lost every time although I did win an unopposed primary back in 2004. I am a dud and a hack and will say anything to get elected. I don't hold true positions of my own, I only claim to take a position on what I think will help me get more votes(this really shows at the debates when I have to read my notes and ask them to repeat questions so I can buy more time to try to pull it together and ask myself what would OJS do?)Please help me continue to exuberate what is wrong with the Maine GOP and vote for me or my wife Booth will stomp you.
Summers Won an Election
Charlier Summers was a State Senator at one point? Does that mean he once actually WON an election?
Yes Merv, you are marvelous.
Yes Merv, you are marvelous. I did win one in the minor leauges, thanks for your support. Vote Charlie Bummers.
Miriam, you hit the nail on
Miriam, you hit the nail on the head. Charlie could spin it any way he wants, but the fact remains that his vote INCREASED taxes. I loved watching him squirm, while expressing outrage and never admitting the truth (typical career politician). If you've ever had the opportunity to spend five minutes talking with Dean one on one you'd know that he's the ONLY choice for a better future for Maine and our country. He says what he means and he means what he says...no parsing necessary! Scontras for Congress!
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