Dems Doubt Bush's Compassion

The CBS News Political Unit is tracking the latest campaign commercials. Steve Chaggaris takes a look at a Democratic National Committee ad that turns Bush's new campaign slogan back on the Texas governor.

The Ad:
The Democratic National Committee unveiled a new ad Friday titled National Minimum. The 30-second ad attacks George W. Bush's Texas record on several issues, including the minimum wage and children's health care. It will air in nine battleground states: Arkansas, Delaware, Louisiana, Michigan, Missouri, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Washington and Wisconsin.

Audio:
Announcer: "Before you look at George W. Bush's plans, look at his record. When the national minimum wage was raised to $5.15 an hour, Bush kept the Texas minimum wage at $3.35. When Congress passed a law to help states provide health insurance for kids, Bush opposed its expansion to 220,000 children in Texas. And a federal judge had to step in, ruling Texas fails to provide adequate health care for children. George Bush: His real plans hurt real people."

Visual:
National Minimum features pictures of Bush mixed in with a shot of a worker sweeping a floor and several shots of children being examined by doctors. Some of the announcer's quotes appear on screen as well.

Fact Check:
The minimum wage charge is misleading. Even though all states must abide by the federal minimum wage, states are allowed exemptions for some workers, including those who work for small businesses and some farm and seasonal workers. In Texas, only the exempt workers fall under the state's minimum wage of $3.35 per hour.

Strategy:
National Minimum plays on the Bush campaign's new slogan: "Real Plans for Real People," a continuation of Bush's "compassionate conservatism" theme. With this ad, the Democrats are aiming to keep their stronghold on traditional "compassionate" Democratic issues - minimum wage and children's health care - suggesting that Bush has fumbled them during his tenure as Texas governor.