Oct 1, 2008 7:55 pm US/Eastern
New Attack Ad Links Ex-Mayor With Corruption
MIAMI (CBS4) ―
One of the hottest congressional races in the country this November will involve a long time Florida representative and former mayor who has challenged him for his seat in Congress.
CBS4 political reporter Michael Williams reports that as the ads for the candidates play out on radio and TV, one ad for Miami Republican congressman Lincoln Diaz-Balart's campaign zeroes in on the past of his challenger, former Hialeah mayor Raul Martinez.
"The conduct of Raul Martinez," says the voice over on the ad, "after years of embarrassing our community through corruption and scandals... convictions for bribery and extortion…."
The ad, however, does not tell the whole story. Martinez was convicted in 1991 by a federal jury on development related extortion and racketeering charges, but the conviction was later overturned, and two subsequent trials ended in hung juries.
When asked about the fairness of the ad, the Diaz-Balart campaign defended its implication that Martinez was the 'poster child for corruption in the 1980's".
"I never expected a 16 year congressman to use that kind of sleaze, I'm shocked, I'm appalled," said Martinez.
The Diaz-Balart also links Martinez to some of South Florida's most notorious times.
"Raul Martinez is featured in the investigative documentary, Cocaine Cowboys, about drug trafficking in South Florida," claims the ad.
Martinez does appear in the documentary but for only a few seconds, he is not named and never tied to the drug trade. Martinez says it's time for Diaz-Balart to debate on the issues of the day.
"Look at the economy," said Martinez, "this country is in trouble, we need to have individuals proposing new ideas to get the country going again."
With 34 days and counting before the election, concerned voters say there is time enough for both sides to make their case on the issues in one of the country's most watched congressional races.
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