PROVO — Beau Babka attacks incumbent Republican Congressman Chris Cannon in seven new radio spots, but the Democratic challenger can't afford to put the ads on the air.
The ads contain strong criticism of Cannon's record and positions on immigration reform, jobs, education, Social Security and Medicare, but so far the only place to listen to them is on the Internet.
By contrast, Cannon's campaign has been flush with funds, having raised and spent more than 16 times the money raised by Babka.
As of Friday, Babka's campaign had collected less than $37,000 compared to more than $570,000 for Cannon.
Cannon spent about 75 percent of his money in the Republican primary, but he still had raised more than $90,000, or nearly three times Babka's entire war chest, since July 1.
Unable to buy commercial time, Babka's campaign sent links for the would-be radio ads, which are at www.BeauBabka.com. to an e-mail list of about 400 people. Many of them have forwarded the messages to others around the country, Babka campaign manager Jeff Bell said.
"We're still trying to get enough money to push them out on radio," Bell said.
If Babka can't raise the money to air the spots, he'll have to rely on the Internet a la Howard Dean, his grassroots campaign and several debates to reach voters over the next 12 days.
Cannon and Babka also are scheduled to meet in three more debates Saturday on KUED-TV at 6:30 p.m., Monday on KCPW at 11:45 a.m. and next Wednesday on KBYU. The KBYU debate will air at 9 p.m.
The ads take direct aim at Cannon.
A spot about Cannon's vote against the Social Security lockbox starts with, "The American Association of Retired Persons, the Utah Seniors Coalition and the Alliance of Retired Americans all agree that Chris Cannon's voting record in Congress is an attack on the health and well-being of America's senior citizens."
One of two ads about jobs lost to other countries states, "The voters in the 3rd District need to know that Chris Cannon's misguided idea of economic stimulation is by sending jobs out of the country."
An ad on immigration reform is titled "Un-potency": "Chris Cannon really likes to brag how powerful and influential he is in Washington, D.C.," a woman says with a disbelieving chuckle.
A man joins in: "But did you know that Chris Cannon's AgJOBS bill — called the AgJOBS amnesty bill by Fox News — sat in committee for almost two years due to strong opposition from members of his own party? Cannon was unable to get his AgJOBS bill scheduled for a vote in committee, let alone out to the House floor with enough votes to get it passed, even with White House support. Congressmen from both sides of the aisle know that Cannon's AgJOBS bill is bad for America."
Each of the ads ends with the same phrase — "The need for change in Washington has never been more evident than it is right now. On Nov. 2, send Utah's voice back to Washington with Beau Babka" — followed by Babka's own authorization of the spots.
Another spot claims unemployment is at an all-time high and that Cannon has alienated himself from constituents and congressional colleagues.
"This is fairly standard," said Joe Hunter, Cannon's chief of staff. "It's rather Kerry-esque, actually. Claiming our unemployment rate is at an all-time high; I don't know what that's based on. Our unemployment rate is almost at a historic low.
"And I don't think Chris is feeling alienated either from his constituents or his colleagues in Congress. The legislation we have sponsored has dozens of Republican co-sponsors. There is no basis for saying he has been alienated. The chairman of the House Judiciary Committee took it upon himself to come out to Utah to campaign for him."
Neither Cannon's bulging pockets nor Babka's relatively empty treasury is unusual for a candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives. According to the Federal Election Commission's Web site, 57 House candidates had raised more than $1 million as of Sept. 30. One had raised $4.2 million.
Despite the spending gap, Babka's camp remains hopeful.
"We don't take money from PACs handled by corporations," Bell said. "We've turned down special interest money. We don't want it, and hopefully we don't need it."
Bell said two more ads should be complete before the weekend, but even if late money comes in, it could be hard to get them on the air before the election.
E-mail: twalch@desnews.com