[ San Jose | MetroActive Central | Archives ]

15th Congressional District Ad Rap [March 2, 2000, 5:00pm]    Campaign hacks for Democratic frontrunner Mike Honda are fuming over a new TV ad by one of Honda's opponents--and, surprise, it's not an ad for millionaire Bill Peacock. The 30-second spot, which ran last night on KNTV, features footage of darkhorse candidate Dick Lane shaking hands with President Clinton in the Oval Office. Another shot shows Lane standing between the president and Vice President Al Gore. The voiceover boasts, "That's why I have the support of President Clinton and Vice President Al Gore." Clinton, who phoned Honda in December and urged him to run, is formally endorsing the San Jose Assemblyman. Gore, meanwhile, is officially neutral. Lane, a teacher, was backed by Clinton and Gore in 1998 when no big-name Democrat was willing to take on Republican incumbent Tom Campbell, now leaving the House to run for the Senate. "Mr. Lane's ad is a misrepresentation of fact," sniffs Honda-handler Van Parish, adding that Honda is clearly the White House favorite. The Honda campaign mailed an endorsement letter district-wide Thursday signed by President Clinton. Hondistas have called and complained to the White House about the ad, asking the Beltway boys to pressure Lane to take the spots off the air. Lane's website (www.dicklane.org), by the by, also features a still shot of Lane posing with Clinton and Gore, not to mention some darling green four-leaf clovers. [ San Jose | MetroActive Central | Archives ]