Brac Promises and Tim Johnson

A lot has been made about promises regarding Ellsworth.  A couple of things are worth noting.  One is that Daschle, not Thune, ran adds about this in West River markets.  A second is that Johnson also ran on the issue.  Below is the summary of a Johnson add from the 2002 campaign.

Television :30

Text: Chris Palmer Rapid City, SD

Visual:  CP in office talking to camera

Audio: Tim Johnson has done so many great things for Ellsworth.

Text: No text

Visual:    Girl hands piece of paper to Tim Johnson

Audio: Tim has used his influence in the Senate…

Text:  (newspaper article “Senate OK’s funding for Ellsworth AFB”)

Visual:  EAFB sign, B-52, and newspaper article

Audio:   to provide new housing at Ellsworth Air Force Base

Text: (same newspaper article)

Visual:  2 Air Force mechanics assembling nose to B-1 Bomber

Audio:   a new loading facility, and

Text: (newspaper article “Johnson urges B-1 protection”)

Visual:  B-1 Bomber landing

Audio:   protecting the B-1 Bomber,

Text:  No text

Visual:  TJ talking to ladies with American flag background

Audio:  also his influence in bringing the millions of dollars to Camp Rapid.

Text:  No text

Visual:  CP talking in office

Audio:  Clearly the best thing we can do to protect Ellsworth is to keep Tim
Johnson in the United States Senate.

Text:  No text

Visual:  closeup of CP

Audio:  I’m a Republican but I’m supporting Tim Johnson.

Text:  Tim Johnson logo & PAID FOR BY TIM JOHNSON FOR SOUTH DAKOTA COMMITTEE

Visual:  TJ at table talking to 2 other men

Audio:  Because his position on the Appropriations Committee is vital,

Text:  (same as above)

Visual:  CP in office

Audio:  to the future of the South Dakota and the Rapid City economy

I don't particularly blame Johnson or Daschle for Ellsworth appearing on the list.  But the notion that Thune was somehow less honest than they were is nonsense.  All three used the issue in the same way.