October 31, 1998

Newt Gingrich: Another Look Behind the Mask
Washington Post: Gingrich Directed GOP Mudslinging Ad Campaign from Behind Scenes

The news that Newt Gingrich is behind the Republican Party's new multi-million dollarmudslinging ad campaign doesn't surprise Gary "Bats" Pelphrey, Democraticchallenger for Georgia's Sixth District House seat.

"Newt's been trying to pose as a statesman, above the fray – but behind thescenes he's still the chief mudslinger," Gary commented. "He's not rising abovethe issue, he's hiding from his unsavory part in it – hiding from the people of theSixth District, and the entire nation."

A front-page article in yesterday's Washington Post cited GOP Congressional aides assaying that planning of the ads began at a House leadership meeting a month ago – inGingrich's office. And Gingrich stayed at the center of the effort in the following weeks:

• Gingrich pollster Linda DiVall ran several dozen focus groups to test themes.
• GOPAC executive director Rich Galen and Rich Gaylord, another of Gingrich'smost trusted advisers, helped develop the spots.
• Gingrich himself was kept informed right up to the final edit, and suggested adjustments in the commercials, one adviser reportedly told the Post.

Pelphrey will mention the ads – as well as calling on all registered voters tosend a message by turning out to vote on November 3, and renewing yet again a4-month-old challenge to Gingrich to debate the issues in front of Sixth District voters– in his featured speech at a national rally tomorrow at 3pm PST at Justin HermanPlaza in San Francisco, hosted by Mayor Willie Brown.

The event, organized by the ad hoc group Campaign for a New Congress, is gathering citizenleaders from across the country. The focus of the rally is a call for a national debate onthe record of the late Republican Congress, on the eve of next Tuesday's election. LarryKing Live has expressed some interest in hosting the debate if it can be set up.

C-SPAN is expected to cover Sunday's event; CNN, Dateline NBC, and others may alsoattend. In addition, arrangements are being made to show the rally live over the Internet.
C-SPAN carried live from the Mall in Washington, D.C. last Saturday's rally against theexcesses of Gingrich and special prosecutor Kenneth Starr. That program, includingPelphrey's four-point call to action, can be seen in real-time video at C-SPAN's Web site(www.cspan.org/ram/e102498.ram).