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| | Supporters of term limits proposal cry foul
Thursday, Oct 28, 2004 By Rob Moritz Arkansas News bureau LITTLE ROCK - Save Term Limits, an Arkansas group opposed to a measure that would extend term limits, is running a "deceptive and dishonest" advertising campaign, supporters of proposed Amendment 1 said Wednesday. Jim Pledger, chairman of Arkansans FOR Term Limits That Work, said he has sent a letter to Tim Jacob, chairman of Save Term Limits, asking that the advertisements be pulled until those who are paying for them are properly identified. Pledger said during a news conference that U.S. Term Limits, a Washington, D.C.,-based group, is listed on television and radio station documents as the purchaser of thousands of dollars of radio and television advertising in Little Rock. However, the disclaimer on the advertisements says the ads were paid for by Save Term Limits. "This is an example of deception and dishonesty by the out-of-state lobbyists who oppose Amendment 1, Pledger said. "Save Term Limits has engaged in a massive advertising blitz based on half-truths and distortions." Jacob said Wednesday afternoon that his organization has done nothing wrong and that he would not pull the ads. He said Save Term Limits paid for production of the ads and the Woodbridge, Va.,-based Citizens in Charge paid to get the advertising on television and radio in Arkansas. U.S. Term Limits spokesman Eric Winters said his organization opposes changing Arkansas' current term limit law, but did not contribute money to Save Term Limits. Citizens in Charge is run by Tim Jacob's brother, Paul Jacob, who has worked with U.S. Term Limits in the past. Paul Jacob said Wednesday that his past affiliation with the group may have caused a mix-up in the name of the advertiser listed as purchaser of the media buys. "The citizens of Arkansas have a right to raise money just like the powerful lobbyists and the powerful interests in the Legislature," Tim Jacob said. "I think they're a little desperate," he said of Pledger's letter. "They're shocked that average citizens have worked so hard and raised money. They're used to being able to control all the money themselves.. It's like Goliath calling David a bully." The existing amendment provides House members three two-year terms and senators two four-year terms. Proposed Amendment 1 would extend the maximum length of time state lawmakers can serve to 12 years. Tim Jacob said the more than $400,000 raised is from both in and out of Arkansas, and that much is from the Woodbridge, Va., -based Citizens in Charge, which promotes citizen involvement in government. Arkansans FOR Term Limits That Work has raised about $200,000, Pledger said. That group, whose primary backer is the State Chamber of Commerce and Associated Industries of Arkansas, filed an ethics complaint against Save Term Limits earlier this month. The complaint says Save Term Limits did not provide complete contributor data on its campaign contribution report. Arkansas voters approved term limits in 1992. A poll commissioned by the Arkansas News Bureau and Stephens Media Group found that 60 percent of likely voters would vote against Amendment 1. Results of the poll conducted by Opinion Research Associates Inc. of Little Rock were released earlier this week. ------------ The Associated Press contributed to this report. |
