Republican Uses Intern Scandal in Campaign Ad

The first Republican campaign ad seeking to capitalize on the Monica S. Lewinsky investigation and other White House scandals has hit the airwaves.

Dan Page, a North Carolina state senator trying to unseat Democratic Rep. Bob Etheridge, is using the commercial to tie his opponent to President Clinton and the array of allegations against the administration.

“Scandal after scandal, day after day,” says the ad, which shows a Newsweek cover featuring Clinton and former White House intern Lewinsky. “And who stands with Bill Clinton even now? Liberal Bob Etheridge. Etheridge gives Bill Clinton a standing ovation. Applauding Clinton’s values, not ours. . . . Dan Page believes character counts and morality matters.”

Mike Davis, a spokesman for Etheridge, said the commercial “is not going to work. This ad just doesn’t survive the smell test. For people who know Bob Etheridge, his record, his beliefs, his value system of family, church and community, it just doesn’t wash.”

Davis said Etheridge has supported the president on many issues but fought him bitterly on tobacco legislation.

Robert Jones, Page’s communications director, said: “Our supporters are proud of us” about the ad, which “has re-energized our campaign.” Rex Elsase, a consultant for Page, said the ad shows “Bob Etheridge has been a Clinton enabler and has turned his back on lying and stonewalling on the part of the president. People are thirsting for moral leadership.”

After Clinton acknowledged an improper relationship with Lewinsky on Monday, Etheridge said: “What he did was wrong,” but he was glad the president “faced the American people and told the truth.”

Clifford May, communications director for the Republican National Committee, said: “We’re not encouraging anybody to run ads like this. Quite the contrary. This is not the time for us to be taking partisan benefit from this.”