GovernmentExecutive.com

Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle, D-S.D., emphasizes his military background and his plan to improve health benefits for National Guard members in the second ad of his re-election campaign.

Craig Towns, president of the South Dakota National Guard Enlisted Association, says in the 60-second TV spot that after serving on active duty, national guardsmen "come home and worry about their family being taken care of medically." Daschle appears on screen and describes TriCare Prime, a program he sponsored to amend S. 1050, which has been passed by the Senate and would "provide health insurance for guard families." Along with a telephone number, the words "Support Guard Health Insurance" appear on screen.

Towns also says that because Daschle "served in uniform himself during the Vietnam era," he "has a feeling of what soldiers and airmen go through" and can use his leadership as "a great asset for the state."

A spokeswoman for the campaign said that "TriCare Prime" went on the air Thursday in the Rapid City media market. It was produced by Struble Eichenbaum Communications.

Although no Republican has officially announced a bid to challenge Daschle in 2004, Rep. Bill Janklow, former Rep. John Thune and businessman Neal Tapio are mulling the race.

Script of "TriCare Prime"

(On screen: Craig Towns, Pres., SD National Guard Enlisted Assoc.)

CRAIG TOWNS: We've had people called up and deployed, left their families, left their homes within 48 hours, leaving behind children, jobs, communities. Then they have to come home and worry about their family being taken care of medically.

(On screen: Senator Tom Daschle)

TOM DASCHLE: When I heard that National Guardsmen, South Dakota Guardsmen and women, actually got benefits when they went to war and lost benefits when they came home to peace, I couldn't believe it.

I introduced legislation that simply said regardless of your circumstance, you're going to be eligible for health insurance. We call it TriCare Prime.

ANNOUNCER [v/o]: The Senate passed Daschle's plan to provide health insurance for guard families. Now Tom needs our help to make it law.

(On screen: Support Guard Health Insurance; Call 1-866-213-5200)

CRAIG TOWNS: I know Tom served in uniform himself during the Vietnam era. He has a feeling of what the soldiers and airmen go through, and it's a great asset for the state of South Dakota to have such a well-recognized leader in the Senate.

TOM DASCHLE: I'm Tom Daschle, and I approve of this message.

(On screen: Approved By Tom Daschle and Paid For By A Lot Of People Supporting Tom Daschle Committee)

Post a Comment

To post a comment, you must provide a name and a valid e-mail address. Messages must be limited to 400 words. By using this Service you agree not to post material that is obscene, harassing, defamatory, or otherwise objectionable. Although Government Executive does not monitor comments posted to this site (and has no obligation to), it reserves the right to delete, edit, or move any material that it deems to be in violation of this rule.