TRUTH SQUAD:

This campaign ad you can believe

Thursday, Oct. 2, 2008 | 2 a.m.

3rd Congressional District race

Dina Titus is running a largely biographical ad to promote herself as an “independent voice for change” in her race against Republican Rep. Jon Porter in the 3rd Congressional District.

The Script: “Thirty years in Nevada. Twenty-eight years married. A respected educator. Nationally recognized author. An effective state senator who has worked with Republicans and Democrats to crack down on sexual predators, make Nevada a leader in renewable energy, save Red Rock and cap property taxes. Dina Titus will be a breath of fresh air in Congress.”

The Video: Opens with Titus and her husband near Red Rock, then shows a montage of Titus in various locales talking with people. Next are images that match the script, showing a jail door being locked, Titus with someone by solar panels and then Red Rock canyon.

The Reality: Most of this ad is biography-based and indisputable. The claims made about Titus’ record are also true. In 2005 she voted for stricter policies regarding sex offenders. Although it is debatable whether Nevada is a leader in renewable energy, Titus did on numerous occasions support legislation promoting the effort, including a comprehensive energy bill in 2005 and a 1997 bill that gives tax breaks to renewable energy companies setting up shop in Nevada. Titus voted for a 2003 bill that gave special protection to land near the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area. And she did help lead the effort to get a cap on property taxes.