DNC launches anti-Donald Trump ad in Tampa market blasting virus response

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'Great job? It’s catastrophic.'

The Democratic National Committee is launching a new ad in the Tampa Bay area hitting President Donald Trump on his COVID-19 response.

The ad, entitled “Had enough?” begins running in the Tampa market Thursday and is part of a six-figure ad buy, according to the DNC.

The ad includes ominous data points about the virus including deaths and job losses. It comes the day after Vice President Mike Pence squared off with Democratic Vice Presidential nominee Kamala Harris Wednesday night in the pair’s first and only debate before the Nov. 3 election.

Pundits widely believe Harris’ strongest points in the debate came in the first 15 minutes when she hit Trump and his administration over their failed COVID-19 response. Harris honed in on Trump misleading the public by not informing them about the virus’ risks in January when he was first briefed.

The ad begins with an image of Trump at the first Presidential debate last week, saying, “we’ve done a great job.”

A narrator then takes over, repeating Trump’s quote, but as a question, rather than a statement.

The narrator then calls out “more massive layoffs” with an image on the screen of an airstrip and text pointing out “40,000 workers brace for mass layoffs,” with a citation from The Associated Press on Sept. 3.

The ad then mocks Trump over his claims that “disinfectant, where it knocks it out” could help treat COVID-19.

“400,000 small businesses gone forever, millions out of work” the narrator continues in an ominous tone.

The ad also includes audio veteran journalist and author Bob Woodward recorded in one of many interviews with Trump in which he says he “wanted to always play it down,” referring to the novel coronavirus. Woodward’s tapes revealed Trump knew how dangerous the virus was, but didn’t share that information with the American public, instead repeatedly downplayed the virus.

The ad draws on emotion, saying loved ones have been forced to say goodbye to dying family members by phone. It also highlights the more than 200,000 Americans who have died as a result of COVID-19.

The and ends with a clip of Trump again saying his administration has done a good job.

“Great job? It’s catastrophic,” the narrator concludes. “Had enough?”

Florida is one of the top battleground states in play for both candidates and both are targeting the Sunshine State heavily. While Hillsborough County is an easy win for Biden thanks to its robust Democratic voter advantage, surrounding areas in the region like Pasco, Pinellas and Polk counties are either a toss-up or leaning toward Trump. That makes the voter-rich region ripe for Biden to earn more votes.

Former Vice President Joe Biden has consistently held a narrow lead over Trump in the polls, with one outlier Wednesday showing Biden up 11 points over Trump, a prognostication few take seriously.

Whether Biden’s lead holds come Nov. 3 will largely depend on voter turnout. With Trump convalescing at the White House with COVID-19, Biden’s campaign and its supporters are drawing attention to the virus as a key campaign talking point. The campaign and Democrats have long criticized Trump for his administration’s handling of the virus, but Trump’s positive diagnosis, and the sweeping outbreak resulting in Washington, has brought the issue to center stage yet again.

“Every day, Floridians are paying the price for Donald Trump and Mike Pence’s incompetence and total failure to respond to the coronavirus,” said Democratic National Committee Chair Tom Perez in a release accompanying the new ad. “Floridians have lost their jobs, their lives, their loved ones, and any sense of normalcy. That’s not a ‘great job.’ It’s a devastating betrayal of Trump and Pence’s responsibility to keep people safe. Floridians have had enough, and they’re putting this failed presidency to an end.”

 

Janelle Irwin Taylor

Janelle Irwin Taylor has been a professional journalist covering local news and politics in Tampa Bay since 2003. Most recently, Janelle reported for the Tampa Bay Business Journal. She formerly served as senior reporter for WMNF News. Janelle has a lust for politics and policy. When she’s not bringing you the day’s news, you might find Janelle enjoying nature with her husband, children and two dogs. You can reach Janelle at [email protected].


4 comments

  • Harriet N BRINKER

    October 8, 2020 at 12:35 pm

    DNC has nothing else to run on against the Republican party but the Coronavirus. No one can verify for sure how many died and how many were admitted to the hospital and how many, exactly were and are infected because the information each day is conflicting and not exactly verified. Harris another lie. How come no one is known who became infected on the democrat side of the fence, something really smells here folks. And, one can say how come Biden who by the way is in more trouble since yesterday than eating liver pills folks. Being that Biden and crew are working hand and hand with China and we all know for sure this is the China virus, like it or not and Biden and Harris if really with honor were so concerned about the virus did absolutely not one thing to help the cause there for how many infected and died on there side of the fence is kept out of the news. So-Harris, Biden and you stupid democrats as of today the issue of the corona virus with out statistics to verify anything is now facing more troubles than the virus. It is all document on files just follow up. How sickening this is folks. No one with a mind would even consider this any longer. That market must be taking in loads of china money to even be that stupid to involve in such projects. No! PPE items were obtained by the democrats, beds, ventilators, seeking a cure, family support issues, gowns, masks, lotions, linens, and much more they could of helped with was ignored. Now they play the good ones, another lie.

  • James Robert Miles

    October 8, 2020 at 1:16 pm

    The Trump pox has done a great job for the rich and no one else. He is in the process of bankrupting the country with the highest deficit in U.S. history and it is the GOP, the so-called “fiscally responsible party” that has done this. Lets talk about lies. Trump said the Mexicans would pay for the wall, yeah right. Where is the money? Trump said the virus is a hoax. A really big lie that caused the deaths of 210,000 Americans. Trump said that the KKK and the the skin-heads are the really “good” people. Another lie. Trump said that the California wild fires are caused by “exploding trees!” Another lie. Trump said that climate change is a hoax. Another lie! I could go on and on with Trump’s litany of lies but why bother as his loser and sucker followers believe anything he says as facts simply don’t matter to these people! Trumps B.S. is all that counts! VOTE HIM OUT, LOCK HIM UP!! DUMP TRUMP 2020! Save America from bankruptcy and fascism AND save your Social Security!!

  • David McCallister

    October 8, 2020 at 5:31 pm

    What I’ve “Had Enough” of is the Dems constant harassment of the President. Biden (or Hillary) wouldn’t have done any better with Corona- and probably have made things a lot worse. Question now is who best to get us back on the pre-Corona track. Hint- Not Biden.

  • James Robert Miles

    October 9, 2020 at 11:56 am

    Like Trump has a plan to do ANYTHING! Where is it? Oh, that’s right, it’s all a part of his “health plan” which we are still waiting to hear about! Something from NOTHING leaves NOTHING!! VOTE HIM OUT, LOCK HIM UP!! DUMP TRUMP 2020, the pox on America!!

Comments are closed.


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