The New York Times
Saturday September 10, 2005 @ 12:00 AM
By NICHOLAS CONFESSORE
Representative Anthony D. Weiner, a mayoral candidate, has unleashed his fourth television advertisement, ''Stoop,'' for the Democratic primary, the final salvo in a $1.8 million ad campaign that began two weeks before election day.
PRODUCER -- Jim Margolis, GMMB.
ON THE SCREEN -- Mr. Weiner, in his shirt sleeves, sits on the front steps of his childhood home in Park Slope, Brooklyn, and delivers his campaign stump speech. As he reels off his major policy proposals -- middle-class tax cuts, reducing government waste, and raises for teachers -- brief descriptions flash on the screen below him. The camera pulls in close to frame Mr. Weiner's face as he recaps, cuts to a shot of Mr. Weiner talking to a group of New Yorkers, then to one of him speaking before a crowd of sign-waving supporters.
THE SCRIPT -- ''You know, growing up on this block I learned about talking straight. So here it is: As mayor, I'll cut middle-class taxes 10 percent. You need a break, not the millionaires. I'll cut budget waste every year by eliminating the city's worst-performing programs. I'll give our teachers a raise and our principals the power to discipline. Better schools for your kids, a tax cut for your family, a mayor who'll fight for you. That's straight talk from the stoop.'' An announcer says: ''Anthony Weiner. Finally, a fighter for hard-working New York.'' The subway door-closing chime -- the signal New York touch of a Weiner ad -- closes out the soundtrack.
ACCURACY -- Short and sweet, the ad says little that is inaccurate. Mr. Weiner does not mention, however, that he is not only not giving a tax break to millionaires, he is also giving them an increase to the tune of at least $79 million. Nor is Mr. Weiner the only candidate to propose giving teachers a raise; every candidate for mayor, including the current mayor, has said he or she wants to do so.
SCORECARD -- As Mr. Weiner begins, so he ends. From the first ad his campaign broadcast, on Aug. 19, the candidate has used his advertisements chiefly to introduce himself to voters -- most of whom knew little or nothing about him until recently -- and amplify the themes he has sounded on the campaign trail. When Mr. Weiner has attacked other candidates or defended himself against their criticisms, he has done so in speeches and during the mayoral debates. The latest advertisement continues that approach.
Representative Anthony D. Weiner, a mayoral candidate, has unleashed his fourth television advertisement, ''Stoop,'' for the Democratic primary, the final salvo in a $1.8 million ad campaign that began two weeks before election day.
PRODUCER -- Jim Margolis, GMMB.
ON THE SCREEN -- Mr. Weiner, in his shirt sleeves, sits on the front steps of his childhood home in Park Slope, Brooklyn, and delivers his campaign stump speech. As he reels off his major policy proposals -- middle-class tax cuts, reducing government waste, and raises for teachers -- brief descriptions flash on the screen below him. The camera pulls in close to frame Mr. Weiner's face as he recaps, cuts to a shot of Mr. Weiner talking to a group of New Yorkers, then to one of him speaking before a crowd of sign-waving supporters.
THE SCRIPT -- ''You know, growing up on this block I learned about talking straight. So here it is: As mayor, I'll cut middle-class taxes 10 percent. You need a break, not the millionaires. I'll cut budget waste every year by eliminating the city's worst-performing programs. I'll give our teachers a raise and our principals the power to discipline. Better schools for your kids, a tax cut for your family, a mayor who'll fight for you. That's straight talk from the stoop.'' An announcer says: ''Anthony Weiner. Finally, a fighter for hard-working New York.'' The subway door-closing chime -- the signal New York touch of a Weiner ad -- closes out the soundtrack.
ACCURACY -- Short and sweet, the ad says little that is inaccurate. Mr. Weiner does not mention, however, that he is not only not giving a tax break to millionaires, he is also giving them an increase to the tune of at least $79 million. Nor is Mr. Weiner the only candidate to propose giving teachers a raise; every candidate for mayor, including the current mayor, has said he or she wants to do so.
SCORECARD -- As Mr. Weiner begins, so he ends. From the first ad his campaign broadcast, on Aug. 19, the candidate has used his advertisements chiefly to introduce himself to voters -- most of whom knew little or nothing about him until recently -- and amplify the themes he has sounded on the campaign trail. When Mr. Weiner has attacked other candidates or defended himself against their criticisms, he has done so in speeches and during the mayoral debates. The latest advertisement continues that approach.
