Too Good Not to Pass on . . .

Marc Abrams

For those of you who thought our campaign had some harsh negative ads, consider this article from our neighbors to the South . . .

Attack on Central Valley Assembly candidate called heartless

So you thought you've seen rough politics in Sacramento -- and some nasty attack ads in the Democratic gubernatorial primary?

You ain't seen nothin' yet.

What may be a Hall of Fame moment in the annals of political ads may have come down in the GOP race for 25th State Assembly District race in the Modesto area this week.

We're talking the campaign mailer in which GOP candidate Bill Conrad attacks opponent Tom Berryhill -- for having a heart transplant.

The headline of the direct mail piece -- in blood red ink, no less: "Tom Berryhill doesn't have the HEART for State Assembly."

That's accompanied by a handy list of "Heart Transplant Facts."

Among them:

*"The Average Lifespan of a Heart Transplant recipient is 7 years," followed by the none-too-subtle observation that "Berryhill's transplant was 6 years ago."

*"Heart Transplant patients take Anti-rejection medications for life. (These medications weaken the immune system making the recipient more susceptible to illness and death.)"

And finally:

*"Severe stress SIGNIFICANTLY shortens the life expectancy of Heart Transplant recipients."

And we all know about stress in Sacramento.

But, "Wait! There's more!," as those folks say on the infomercials.

The mailer suggests Berryhill will cost the taxpayers dough if he -- uh, how can we put this? -- doesn't make it to the finish line.

"Can you imagine the costs to taxpayers for a Special Election when poor health renders him unable to fulfill the duties of office?" the mailer says.

Conrad told the Modesto Bee that his source for the mailer was "Hurst's The Heart," a "comprehensive textbook on cardiovascular disease." He's defending his airing of the heart issue, saying that Dick Cheney has had to deal with the same thing.

But Lucille Mejia, a longtime political activist in the Central Valley, says locals on both sides are outraged by the recent mailer --even Democrats like herself.

"Attack (Berryhill) on the issues -- but not that he was fortunate enough to get a heart. Tom had no control over that," she said.

The word around the water coolers in the Central Valley -- and those are busy places -- is that Conrad has "lost all credibility and anyone who was even thinking of pulling the lever for him should think twice. He has absolutely no compassion," said Mejia.

By Marc Abrams May 17, 2006