ONCORD, N.H. - Texas Governor George W. Bush today launches his first wave of television commercials here and in Iowa for the 2000 presidential primary, promising to ''pass money back'' to the taxpayers once top priorities such as Social Security, Medicare, education, and the military have been funded.
Altogether, the Bush campaign is running four different 30-second ads at a rate that the average viewer would see them three to five times a week, campaign officials said. Some of the footage was shot when Bush marched in Amherst's Fourth of July parade. The campaign is also airing a Spanish-language radio spot in Iowa declaring ''Es en nuevo dia'' - it's a new day.
The Bush ad titled, '' Priorities,'' which talks about returning money to the taxpayers, is particularly on point in New Hampshire. The Legislature has been debating a highly controversial proposal to institute an income tax in order to pay for a budget shortfall for education.
''I've signed the two largest tax cuts in our state's history and we still have no personal income tax,'' Bush says, speaking directly into the camera. ''I believe we ought to cut tax rates to continue economic growth and to broaden prosperity.''
In recent weeks, Bush has taken heat for skipping two debates with his fellow Republicans and for spending fewer days campaigning in New Hampshire than most of his opponents. He missed last Friday's forum at the University of New Hampshire because he was attending a fund-raiser for himself, and another fund-raiser for the GOP, in Vermont. He is skipping a town meeting session with his opponents, to be held Thursday at Dartmouth College, because his wife is receiving an award from her alma mater, Southern Methodist University.
''The ads appear to have a fairly compelling message,'' said Todd Harris, the deputy communications director for Arizona Senator John McCain's campaign. ''I just think the message would be even more compelling if it was delivered in person by the governor at any of the forums that he has turned down.''
But Joel Maiola, Bush's New Hampshire director, said Bush would be back next week, spending time in the North Country -- Dixville Notch, Colebrook, Berlin, and Littleton -- and delivering a major education address.
''With the ads starting, I think they will give our campaign further momentum,'' Maiola said.
Of the four ads, three are on issues and one is an introduction to the governor, called ''Successful Leader.'' That spot moves back and forth from black-and-white to color, with an announcer describing Bush as ''the Republican Party's best hope to win the White House'' and as ''a fresh start for America.''
The ads will air on WMUR-TV an ABC affiliate in Manchester. Two other candidates are currently on television, magazine publisher Steve Forbes and Vice President Al Gore. Bush officials say they expect to remain on the air through the Feb. 1 primary.
