Applegate and Issa play nice in ads, but not for long

For 30 seconds, no more and no less, Rep. Darrell Issa and Doug Applegate dropped their negative attacks and delivered a more upbeat message in some of their newest commercials.

Applegate, a Democrat making his first appearance in politics, has released a spot that tells a little bit of his story and raises his name profile. Issa, also in a first, has released a new commercial where several women praise the Vista Republican for his work in Congress.

But just as fast as it takes to halfway cook minute-rice, they were back to their attacks in another round of ads. Like before, Applegate went after Issa for backing Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump, re-running portions of the infamous video where Trump bragged about groping and other physical contact with women without their consent. Issa, as he has in past ads, brought up the restraining orders that Applegate’s ex-wife obtained against her former husband.

Applegate and Issa don’t pull punches in new ads »

Trump himself gave the congressional campaign a surprise twist Thursday by taking to Twitter to express his admiration for Issa, though it may not have been entirely welcomed by the incumbent in his toughest re-election race ever.

“@DarrellIssa is a very good man. Help him win his congressional seat in California,” Trump tweeted. Not surprisingly, that tweet has made the rounds, including to the Applegate campaign, which issued a response.

“Darrell Issa once again shows why he’s unfit to represent this district in Congress,” Applegate’s campaign manager Robert Dempsey said in a statement. “When he’s not busy lining his own pockets, he’s trying to score political brownie points with one of the least qualified candidates for president in the history of the United States.”

Applegate, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, and others have used Issa’s endorsement of Trump as a weapon against the incumbent. Trump, particularly after the release of the Access Hollywood tape and accusations from a dozen women that he has made unwanted sexual contact, has polled poorly with women voters.

The congressional race has gained national attention because of the potential for Applegate, a political neophyte, to upset Issa, a 16-year incumbent and a high-profile critic of the Obama administration.

The more positive ads were a departure from the candidates’ typical commercials. Applegate, in his first spot where his voice provides the narration, takes a populist approach.

“Lets face it, something’s wrong, the system’s broken. Congress is broken. Politicians don’t represent us. It doesn’t have to be this way. I’m Colonel Doug Applegate, I’m not a politician, I’m a Marine,” he says in the commercial.

It’s the first ad from the Applegate campaign where the candidate discusses his views on Congress. The House Majority Political Action Committee has released its own commercial that touts Applegate’s service in the Marine Corps.

Applegate also released an ad that, like a spot his campaign aired earlier this fall, uses the video of Trump telling “Access Hollywood” host Billy Bush that his fame allows him to get away with kissing and grabbing women by their genitals without their consent.

“Donald trump brags about groping women. And it wasn’t just talk. But Darrell Issa says Donald Trump is still the obvious choice for president,” Applegate’s ad says.

The ads, the fourth and fifth from Applegate, will be aired on broadcast and cable in the 49th District, his campaign said.

In Issa’s spot, a diverse group of eight women give the congressman their support. They express a lack of enthusiasm for both Trump and Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton.

“The presidential candidates have been been so disappointing,” one woman said.”

“Hillary and Trump?” a second added.

“When will they start talking about solutions?” a third continued.

Added other women: “Whoever the voters choose, we need a leader to hold them accountable.” “That’s Darrell Issa.”

Issa’s presence is limited to a few seconds at the end where he appears with the women and gives the obligatory statement of approval for the commercial. His campaign said the ad is running online, including on social networks targeting women and millennial viewers. The campaign added it hasn’t decided if it will be aired on traditional broadcasting.

Issa also released another attack. The woman voiceover says that Applegate “wants to raise taxes on the middle class and small business. His agenda calls for slashing the military, devastating our local economy.” Then it goes on to attack Applegate’s professional career and the restraining orders.

The district includes parts of coastal northern San Diego County and southern Orange County.

Twitter: @jptstewart

joshua.stewart@sduniontribune.com

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