Politics

Forbes Airs New TV, Radio Ads

July 26, 1999 / 2:10 PM EDT / AP

Republican presidential candidate Steve Forbes presents warm testimonials from his family and promises to appoint anti-abortion judges in a new set of radio and television ads.

The advertisements are the latest installment in a $10 million summer media campaign that is increasingly focused on Iowa and New Hampshire, two early voting states in the 2000 primaries.

A millionaire businessman, Forbes is the only presidential candidate with a major ad campaign under way.

The TV ads are designed to introduce Forbes as a family man in light of internal polls that suggest voters know little about his personal life, campaign officials said.

"My wife and I of 27 years have five daughters," Forbes said in the black-and-white opening of one TV ad. His daughters take their turns, calling him a "wonderful role model," who is "so optimistic" and "incredibly strong."

His wife, Sabina, calls Forbes "extremely honest."

"When I see our family in the future in the White House hopefully I don't think any problems or challenges would be too ... great for us," says daughter Moira in one TV ad.

Radio ads set for broadcast in Iowa are more political.

"Any judge I appoint for life will be pro-life," Forbes says in one spot.

He alludes to the GOP front-runner, George W. Bush, who has said he would not require judges to be anti-abortion. Without mentioning the Texas governor or other rivals by name, Forbes said, "Some of the politicians who are running for president won't tell you what kind of judges they would appoint."

In another radio ad, Forbes urges supporters to help him win the Iowa straw vote in August.

Forbes began his media campaign in early June, producing ads that attempted to cast him in a presidential light as he discussed national policy. Those ads, which ran nationwide, will be phased out, officials said.

The new TV ads will air in New Hampshire and Iowa. The radio ads will run only in Iowa.