Bee unleashes second attack in AZ-8 ad war

The latest television ad from state Sen. Pres. Tim Bee (R-Tucson) - his sixth so far - continues to attack U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, Bee's rival in the 8th Congressional District. The new spot comes just days after Giffords released an ad to counter claims made by Bee's first ad, which hit the airwaves early last week.

The new Bee offering, titled "Independent Leadership," compares Bee's record on the recent Arizona budget compromise with Giffords's record in her first congressional term. While Bee "earned bipartisan praise when he helped pass Arizona's budget without raising taxes," according to the ad, Giffords "voted to raise taxes in a bad economy," "raising taxes on southern Arizona families by $2,000 a year."

The praise spoken of in the ad comes from an editorial in the Green Valley News in July of 2008, which said:

"Just when it looked as though the Legislature would be deadlocked over budget proposals, and just when we thought state government might be shutdown without money to operate, Bee came through. He showed why he's one of the best legislators in Arizona history by finding a compromise to solve a $2 billion budget crisis."

For the attack on Giffords, the evidence is her vote in favor of passing the fiscal year 2008 federal budget, which let tax cuts passed in 2001 and 2003 expire. The budget was narrowly adopted as a result of that vote by a 216-210 margin.

TRANSCRIPT:

Voice over: Facing an economic crisis, State Senate President Tim Bee earned bipartisan praise when he helped pass Arizona’s budget without raising taxes.

Tim Bee. Independence for a change.

Gabrielle Giffords voted to raise taxes in a bad economy.

Giffords voted for a Pelosi supported tax increase that raises taxes on southern Arizonan families two thousand dollars a year.

Raises taxes on retirement savings for Arizona seniors.

Gabrielle Giffords – part of what’s wrong with Washington