Channel 10 TV News just performed a “Truth Test” (Sunday, November 2, 2008) on Democratic Sheriff’s candidate Scott Israel’s latest commercial in his quest to become Broward Sheriff. In a photo which greatly distorts Sheriff Al Lamberti’s teeth, Channel 10 declared the ad as “FALSE” with a big banner across the television screen.
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — The race for Broward County sheriff is becoming increasingly nasty in tone, and incumbent Sheriff Al Lamberti is the target of the latest attack ad.
Scott Israel is challenging Lamberti, who was appointed to the post by Gov. Charlie Crist in 2007.
Several political ads are running that attack Israel. However, one that defends Israel and slams back at Lamberti does not come from the Israel campaign.
Lamberti looks strangely devilish in the ad and clearly Republican. Broward County Democrats outnumber Republicans 2-1, and Israel became a Democrat last year.
“Truth is, Democrat Scott Israel’s record is so outstanding, he’s been vetted by the FBI,” the ad says.
That is true. He had to be in order to graduate from the FBI’s National Academy at Quantico, which he did in 2003.
“Al Lamberti took money from a convicted drug smuggler,” the ad says.
True, but then he gave it back.
The $500 came from a jet company at Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport. Owner Don Whittington and his brother were millionaire racecar champs who served time for running a drug smuggling and money laundering ring, according to a 1986 New York Times article.
“And is using the same Bush hatchet man who tried to steal the 2000 election,” the ad says.
That is technically false if the reference is to Roger Stone, the reputed Republican dirty trickster who helped to plan the protests to stop the 2000 recount, Local 10’s Glenna Milberg reported.
Lamberti says Stone is not working for his campaign, although he did contribute $500 last month.
“Don’t believe typical Republican lying smear machine,” the ad says.
The spot is produced and paid for not by Israel’s campaign but by the Common Sense Coalition, an electioneering group in Tallahassee that is run by the former chief of staff for disgraced former Sheriff Ken Jenne. Campaign finance records show that about $40,000, more than half of its 2008 funding, comes from a bail bonds company whose owner is the subject of news reports as a convicted felon.
The latest polls this week show Lamberti with a 10 percent lead over Israel, despite the party advantage. The race for sheriff is traditionally nonpartisan.
Copyright 2008 by Local10.com. All rights reserved.
http://www.local10.com/politics/17859131/detail.html
