County Commissioner Al Higginbotham invited several citizen groups and community leaders to be videotaped with him today for what his staff called a “Christmas commercial” to be televised on the county’s TV station, HTV22. Higginbotham’s term ends next year so he needs to get his re-election campaign in gear now.
A televised campaign commercial featuring smiling citizens and community leaders with the candidate would ordinarily be very expensive, and most candidates would have a hard time organizing it even if they could afford it. In contrast, this “Christmas commercial” will be paid for by the taxpayers.
The Fishhawk Republican club sounds delighted to be included:
Subject: Commercial for Holiday to be filmed in Fishhawk, join usCommissioner Al Higginbotham has invited the Fishhawk Republican Club to join him and be part of his Holiday Greeting which will be filmed on Monday, December 3 at 1:15 in front of the fireplace at Town Square. Commissioner Higginbotham requests that you join him for this television shoot. It is exciting that he has invited the Fishhawk Club to be part of his holiday greeting. Please join us at 1:15 at Town Square in front of the fireplace. Please email me or call and let me know you will join us. Also, forward this to any neighbors in Fishhawk.
Thank you.
DebbieDebbie Cox Roush
President, Fishhawk Republican ClubCo-Chair Hillsborough County Coalition for Women, Mitt Romney for President
Event Chair HCRP
I wonder if Higginbotham also invited the East Hillsborough Democrats to be involved in his taxpayer-funded Holiday commercial? I wonder what Louise Thompson thinks of this use of our county-funded television station and film crew? (Louise is Executive Director of TBCN, the Tampa Bay Public Access television station which Hillsborough County commissioners decided not to fund anymore, while using our their TV station for their own self-promotion.) How do you, as a taxpayer, feel about your commissioner spending your taxes to film himself wishing you a happy Holiday? In an election year?
I don’t like my taxes being used to fund a politician’s self-promotional commercial during campaign season — a commercial which will discourage other candidates from coming forward to run against the incumbent, looking so well-connected with happy civic leaders and all.
The commercials were to be filmed Monday at 1:15 in the Fishhawk Town Square, and 3:15 at the Red Barn Ranch on Thonotassassa Rd. If you had known about it, you could have dropped by and made your way on TV too. After all, you are paying for these campaign spots —er, I mean Christmas Commercials.
Eric
2 years ago
I am not scocked, I have come to expect this kind of scheming from our county govt. – the true shame is voter apathy allows this foolishness to be repeated.
Tom
2 years ago
They may have learned propaganda from Saint Petersburg city council and the Mayor. These guys have had all incumbent TV for many years. When Baker became mayor partisan political commercials became standard. A made for TV event was produced for Jeb Bush’s reelection campaign. The Mayors “top apple” award promotes candidates and the controversial No Child Left Behind and FCAT at the same time. A school board candidate asked the FCC for equal time and was told that under Bush there are no longer any standards of fairness. (Well the FCC actually said that they couldn’t recognize a political commercial) Plugs were made for the Penny for Pinellas tax increase. The request to televise debates with challengers was dismissed by council members who did not want to lose the purity of their “nonpolitical” ads.
To plug the deficit Council member Bill Foster suggested selling commercials. Oops, then we could not turn down ads from someone who may run against Foster, so no more discussion on ads.
You should encourage complaints to the FCC. With Bush on the way out the FCC may wake from their slumber.
Geoff
2 years ago
Eric, is it any different than the “Mayor’s Hour” on CTTV, or her annual Christmas cooking show?!
wendy
2 years ago
I’m not surprised by this move and do find it distasteful. Would have been more palatable to have “all” BOCC with a holiday wish on HTV22. My question to you is this…he is the only candidate running in Dist.4, and there are how many choices on the ballot in ‘08? Why even bother…a shoe-in for certain.
GKR
2 years ago
Fishawk (or Nuevo Tampa) and Republican are synonymous.
tommy
2 years ago
You are right, Wendy. We need more candidates. Do you know anyone capable who is willing to run for the office?
Mariella Smith
2 years ago
Today’s St. Pete Times has an article about this post, and mentions the consensus in the comments.
Wendy, Higginbotham has a huge advantage as an incumbent, but this kind of television exposure serves to further discourage others from entering the race.
GKR
2 years ago
Tommy, I’d suggest Lisa Rodriguez as a candidate.
Geoff
2 years ago
Mariella, what consensus?!
As long as his office invited all D4
Kelly
2 years ago
Poor Commissioner Can’t We All Just Get Along (with developers)…….try to spread a little holiday cheer see what it gets him.
AlRulez
2 years ago
I hope he specifically says “Merry Christmas” just to piss off all you diversity do-gooders