news-record.com

RALEIGH (AP)- National Democratic campaign leaders launched an ad campaign targeting Republican Sen. Elizabeth Dole on Friday, opening their wallets three months before the election in a bid to start moving the numbers before the presidential campaign arrives in full force.

The spot set to begin airing Friday evening across the state indicates how much the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee is willing to invest in the North Carolina race. And the party is starting by going on the offensive: The spot immediately slashes at Dole, accusing her of being ineffective and unable to fix gas prices, employment or immigration.

"Elizabeth Dole: After 40 years in Washington, (she's) not as effective as you might think," the narrator says.

The spot cites a rankings report from congress.org that assesses lawmakers based on a number of factors, listing Dole 93rd out of 100. But while hammering Dole for being ineffective on illegal immigration, the ad doesn't mention that she pushed North Carolina to win the first and only state-national immigration partnership that has drastically increased the number of illegals deported each month.

That's something Dole's campaign was quick to point out, rebutting the details of the ad before it was even announced.

Democrats clearly see the race as one deserving investment, even though Democratic state Sen. Kay Hagan has less than half the cash available to spend against Dole and can't match the national profile held by the Republican incumbent who is finishing her first six-year term.

"I think Kay Hagan is running a great campaign, and with 94 days to go, she's within striking distance of Elizabeth Dole," said committee spokesman Matthew Miller.

The committee would not comment on the size of the ad buy. Several North Carolina television stations confirmed that the ad buy requested airtime starting Friday and through Aug. 11. Dole's campaign said its own media research estimated the cost at $400,000.

"It must have become obvious that Kay Hagan's liberal agenda is failing to catch on with North Carolina voters so her Washington handlers have hit the panic button and are trying to change the subject with a barrage of negative ads," said Dan McLagan, a Dole campaign spokesman.

Hagan's campaign declined to comment on the ads.

David McLennan, a professor of communication and political science at Peace College, said the ads could help the Democrats jump-start Hagan's campaign - especially before presidential candidates flood the state's airwaves as the election approaches.

"I don't want to use the phrase, but it's a publicity stunt to get some excitement around Kay Hagan," McLennan said. "It's a very strategic move for the Democrats to do this now. Hagan needs to overcome Dole's natural fundraising advantage."

Dole reported having $2.7 million as of the end of June. Hagan reported having $1.2 million available.

Dole aired two separate television ads after the May primary, reintroducing herself to voters by touting her work on illegal immigration, tobacco buyout programs and protecting North Carolina military bases. Hagan aired ads before the primary but has not gone to the air since then.