Tulsa World: Adelson defends his advertising

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Adelson defends his advertising
The mayoral candidate says he is merely responding to his opponent.

Tulsa mayoral candidate Tom Adelson speaks at the Tulsa Press Club's Page One Luncheon on Friday. He said his priorities are fighting crime and identifying and helping at-risk children. CORY YOUNG/ Tulsa World

By P.J. LASSEK World Staff Writer
Published: 10/10/2009 2:21 AM
Last Modified: 10/10/2009 4:49 AM

Tulsa Elections: Read bios of candidates for mayor, City Council and city auditor and view a map of City Council districts.

It appears doubtful that the negative campaigning between the frontrunners in the mayor's race will end.

Democratic mayoral candidate Tom Adelson said Friday that although he has more positive television ads airing than negative ones, he thinks it's important to respond to his opponent.

"I care deeply about how I'm seen by my friends, my family and my supporters. I care about how my family is seen, and I acknowledge that campaigns are tough," he said when asked whether he would "pledge to pull" his negative ads.

Speaking at the Tulsa Press Club's Page One Luncheon, Adelson talked about the issues facing the city and the direction he would take it in before answering questions.

Adelson will face Republican Dewey Bartlett Jr. and independentcandidates Mark Perkins and Lawrence Kirkpatrick in the Nov. 10 general election.

Adelson said about two-thirds of his campaign ads have been "totally positive" but that Bartlett has run nothing but attack ads against him since the primary race ended.

"It's been 100 percent on TV, 100 percent on radio, 100 percent in his direct mail," Adelson said about Bartlett's attacks. "It is difficult to know how to respond."

When Bartlett

was asked by the Tulsa World later Friday whether he would stop the negative campaigning, he said his ads have been positive.

"I would disagree that I've had attack ads," he said. "What I've said in my ads have been truthful and have citations."

Bartlett said the definition of negative campaigning is "extremely subjective."

Adelson said Bartlett was the first to air a negative ad. Bartlett said he was responding to Adelson, who started the negative campaigning on a radio talk show the morning after the primary.

A Tulsa World feature, Ad Watch, has called into question the truthfulness of some of the ads from both camps after researching the facts.

Bartlett's campaign has produced four television ads so far — two positive and two that attack Adelson.

A new positive ad is expected to start running soon. The two attack ads have run since the primary election.

Adelson has had 10 television ads so far — one that responds to Bartlett's first negative ad, four that attack Bartlett and five that are positive. Not all are now on air.

Of the four spots now running, Adelson said three are positive and one responds to an ad by Bartlett.

Adelson said that as the election gets closer, the public will see more of his ads talk about Tulsa, the city's future and what "I think I have to offer the city."

During Adelson's speech at the Press Club, he said he plans to bring his record of effectiveness as a state senator to city government.

Among the issues he discussed, Adelson said the city has significant budgetary challenges and that the next mayor has to "get very busy quickly prioritizing services" and ensuring that the quality of services "we've grown accustomed to and deserve continue."

Adelson said he also will implement a "transparent and vigilant" process so that residents feel confident that all of the $451 million street package goes to fix the streets.

Adelson said his top priority is crime and that he will make sure that the police have the tools they need to do their job.

He said fighting crime also is about prevention and that he will work closely with others to identify at-risk children and find them positive influences.

P.J. Lassek 581-8382
pj.lassek@tulsaworld.com By P.J. LASSEK World Staff Writer

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Some reader comments for this story were copied from "Tulsa mayoral candidate addresses negative ads," which was published on 10/9/2009.

	Report Comment TK1, (10/9/2009 1:58:04 PM) Do these guys understand that the winner gets to be Mayor of Tulsa?
	Report Comment SRV, (10/9/2009 2:02:12 PM) I hope Adelson wins this contest.
	Report Comment AllSmiles, Sperry (10/9/2009 2:12:36 PM) When is there NOT negative campaine ads?
	Report Comment Ric, Broken Arrow (10/9/2009 2:14:12 PM) They are like two kids bickering over who put the cat turd in the sand box.
	Report Comment kma, (10/9/2009 2:14:42 PM) TK, I laughed out loud. Thanks.
	Report Comment Tulsa Life, (10/9/2009 2:14:58 PM) Negative ads can be good if they are truthful but it is more important to show your own view too. I have seen many positive ads for Adelson. Haven't decided who I am voting for yet though..
	Report Comment DrewTU, (10/9/2009 2:19:36 PM) This is really getting old. If these two keep it up I'll be voting for Perkins.
	Report Comment love 918, (10/9/2009 2:20:27 PM) I never thought I'd vote for an independent, but Perkins is the easy choice in this election. I'm appalled at the behaviors of these two goobers. I can't see either one being an effective leader and dealing diplomatically with the City Council.
	Report Comment pdillo, Tulsa (10/9/2009 2:21:30 PM) sure, negative ads are great. I like my mayors totally devoid of any class or integrity. What about ads to make old people feel safe? U know old people like to vote....
	Report Comment sirwinston, (10/9/2009 2:29:54 PM) Adelson is weak, he won't let people know about the real issues. Dewey Bartlet served or serves on the OTA. He wants to keep raising taxes to no end. The Turnpikes should be paying themselves off, not taking on debt and trying to finance air lines. Dewey Bartlett is only interested in himself and the needs of the businesses he is involved in. He cannot be trusted. Dewey Bartlett will be an expensive mistake for Tulsa.
	Report Comment parksport, (10/9/2009 2:34:53 PM) I pretty much don't listen to the ads, but try to catch the debates. I had never heard a format before when the candidates were allowed to ask each other questions until a radio station hosted one. For all the time the candidates spent preparing to ask the next question to their opponent in a "gotcha moment" instead of focusing on giving a direct answer to the current question asked, it seemed to lack any insight or clarity.
	Report Comment Blenky, (10/9/2009 2:47:52 PM) I never thought I would miss commercials for feminine hygiene products, Viagra, and hemorrhoid cream, but Tom and Dewey are starting to make me nostalgic. Approving all of these stupid ads proves to me that both candidates have a serious lack of judgment or character.
	Report Comment Faith, (10/9/2009 2:59:01 PM) People are fools to pay attention to any negative ads or what any talking head says from the media, radio or internet or from people who are political operatives who have a stack in the elections. If you follow politics you should no who is telling the truth and who isn't.
	Report Comment Faith, (10/9/2009 2:59:56 PM) Tulsa has very corrupt politics I am sad to say.
	Report Comment FIRE GUNDY, TULSA (10/9/2009 3:01:29 PM) They're both idiots.
	Report Comment DF, Tulsa (10/9/2009 3:06:40 PM) Gundy - Yep, pretty much.
	Report Comment TheWebGangster, Tulsa (10/9/2009 3:16:47 PM) Well...hello beautiful...
	Report Comment okie ridgerunner, Small Country Town State Line (10/9/2009 3:24:49 PM) Tulsa is big and well know on making the big vote mistake.It is time for each voter to think for them self. and think it over good. and vote for the person not the party. Learn from the past and stop making the same mistake.
	Report Comment muzacman, (10/9/2009 3:56:36 PM) I don't know a thing about what Perkins stands for, but simply because I don't see him running around town behaving like a child, he has my vote. At least he's a big boy.
	Report Comment Bville, (10/9/2009 4:00:40 PM) Oh, Blenky!!! ROTFL!!!!!!!!!
	Report Comment OriginalIntent, (10/9/2009 4:06:55 PM) I'm with Love 918 (I hope that's not going to get me in trouble with my wife) Is Perkins the choice over Kirkpatrick.
	Report Comment Rocketman, Tulsa (10/9/2009 4:21:19 PM) I am starting to think the one with fewest votes HAS to be the mayor. Who in their right mind would want that job? It is a no win, thankless position.
	Report Comment Mar, Tulsa (10/9/2009 4:30:43 PM) So Adelson wasted a perfect time in which he could set out his plans and vision of Tulsa and what he would do as mayor. Instead he chose to whine and complain about negative ads. I'm already tired of both Adelson and Bartlett. All they do is negative ads and then accuse each other of doing negative ads. I think I'll give Mark Perkins a second look.
	Report Comment AdMan, (10/9/2009 4:31:47 PM) Tom A is a moron. No way in hell I would vote for him.
	Report Comment Ex-Marine Viper, Sand Springs (10/9/2009 4:43:50 PM) Same ole' same ole' he in brain dead Oklahoma politics.... Oh well...looks like time to flip a coin in the voting booth

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