Goodman: Photo not intended for campaign ad

Friday, Aug. 6, 2004 | 9:49 a.m.

Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman on Thursday acknowledged that he took a photo with County Commissioner Mary Kincaid-Chauncey in his office last Thursday, but he said he did not intend it for use in a television campaign ad.

Goodman said he had told Kincaid-Chauncey he would "not do a TV ad" for her. Kincaid-Chauncey admitted earlier Thursday that Goodman probably was under the opinion she was going to use the photos and a quote in a print brochure and that he had previously declined to do "a live television commercial."

She said she decided to go ahead and use the photos and quote in her TV ad because Goodman had told her, "I could use it (photo and quote) however we wanted to," Kincaid-Chauncey has said.

Steve Wark, a Republican who has 20 years' experience managing campaigns but has no candidates in the County Commission race, said Goodman's reaction begs the question: Is there that much difference between the effects of a print ad and an electronic media ad?

"Medium is medium regardless of print or electronic," Wark said.

"However," he added, "if Mary Kincaid-Chauncey can pay for enough saturation for the television ad and run it with frequency, it can have more impact than a brochure that is sent just to the homes targeted in the district."

Kincaid-Chauncey, a two-term commissioner, was indicted on federal public corruption charges last year stemming from the alleged acceptance of bribes in return for favorable votes on issues affecting strip clubs.

Wark said because of the ominous shadow cast by that situation, Goodman could be concerned that a television ad will extend "beyond the scope" of that one race and create a misconception in the minds of voters in other areas that Goodman indeed is endorsing Kincaid-Chauncey.

Goodman has said he is endorsing no candidate in the Democratic primary for County Commission Seat B.

He said at his news conference Thursday that if asked he also would take pictures with and give quotes to Vonne Chowning and Tom Collins, Democratic state Assembly members who are running against Kincaid-Chauncey.

Goodman said he "supports" all three Democrats based on working with them on government issues in the past.

"What this may be for Goodman is a good lesson in not engaging in wordplay in politics," Wark said about Goodman apparently not making it clear to Kincaid-Chauncey that the photos and quote were meant for print ads and not to be used as a replacement for a TV ad that he had declined to do.

Wark, however, also said that Goodman's appearance in a brochure could come back to haunt him just as much -- or perhaps more -- than a TV spot.

"If I am an opponent running against Goodman, let's say for governor, I can more easily take it (the ad) off a printed page than a video to use it to demonstrate to voters that not only was he at one time a mob lawyer but also that as mayor he endorsed a candidate under indictment," Wark said.

The Kincaid-Chauncey TV ad began running this week and depicts her and Goodman together, with the voiceover quoting Goodman's description of her as "a dedicated public servant."

The ad has resulted in a campaign challenger's staff accusing Kincaid-Chauncey of "misleading" voters.

Gary Gray, Collins' campaign manager, sent a letter to Kincaid-Chauncey calling the television ad "simply not honest" and asking her "to do the responsible thing and take this ad off the air immediately."

Kincaid-Chauncey, however, has said she will continue to air the ad because "it is all true."