White House hopeful Sen. Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) on Tuesday launched his first two television ads in Iowa as he tries to gain traction in the critical caucus state.
The ads, titled “Most” and “Truth,” seek to cast Bennet as a pragmatist “tackling tough problems” and underscore his plan to institute a public health care option while allowing Americans to keep their private insurance plan if they choose.
{mosads}“The truth is, a health care plan that starts by kicking people off their coverage makes no sense. We all know it,” Bennet, a vocal centrist, says. “Before we go and blow up everything, let’s try this: give families a choice, keep your health care or join a public option. It’s that simple, and it’s the fastest way to cover everybody.”
Health care has emerged as a chief fault line in the Democratic presidential primary, with Sens. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) calling for a single-payer policy that would scrap private plans while the rest of the field debates different proposals that would institute a public option and allow private coverage to continue.
Bennet’s campaign said Tuesday’s ads are part of a seven-figure TV and digital ad buy will run over the course of several weeks. A third ad will also be unveiled during that time.
“Everywhere Michael goes on the campaign trail, people walk away believing he is the leader we need to make change, but not enough people have had the chance to meet him or learn what drives him,” said Bennet campaign spokeswoman Shannon Beckham.
“These ads show who Michael is and how he’s different from other candidates. He’s pounding truth into a campaign full of empty promises and broken politics — calling for a new generation of leadership and a health care solution that doesn’t take insurance away from millions of Americans.”
Former Vice President Joe Biden, entrepreneur Tom Steyer and South Bend, Ind., Mayor Pete Buttigieg, three other Democratic White House contenders, are also currently airing ads in Iowa. Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) and former Rep. John Delaney (D-Md.) have previously aired TV ads in the Hawkeye State, which will hold the first nominating contest of the 2020 cycle.
Bennet, who failed to qualify for this month’s primary debate, has struggled to gin up support for his long-shot presidential bid since its May launch, stagnating near the bottom of national and statewide polling. However, his campaign has said his late entry into the primary and allegedly unfair debate thresholds set by the Democratic National Committee (DNC) have stymied his campaign.
“Caucus-goers will decide who our nominee is, not the DNC,” Beckham said in a statement to Politico. “Unlike some of his colleagues, Michael is not just laundering money to Facebook to spend $70 for every $1 donation.”