To: AllPolitics
From: Carin Dessauer/CNN
In: Washington
Posted: 2-26-97

Subject: GOP To Target Sen. Tim Johnson

The Republican National Committee Wednesday began running statewide radio ads in South Dakota, targeting freshman Senator Tim Johnson (D- S.D.) for reneging on his promise to support a balanced budget amendment.

In its first ad since the 1996 elections, the RNC criticizes Johnson for breaking his campaign promise to support a balanced budget.

"When he was campaigning for votes in South Dakota, Tim Johnson promised to support the balanced budget amendment," RNC Chairman Jim Nicholson said in a released statement. "He even bragged about voting for it four times as a Congressman. But now that he's in the Senate and has the chance to cast the deciding vote .... he is bowing to liberal Washington special interests and breaking his promise to South Dakota."

"The radio ad will help ensure the people of South Dakota know two important facts: that Tim Johnson intends to break his word to the people of South Dakota, and that Tim Johnson may very well single-handedly block passage of the balanced budget," Nicholson said. The Senate's vote on the balanced budget is next Tuesday. The RNC would not disclose whether they may target other senators for not supporting the balanced budget amendment.

The RNC ad will run on at "least 10 radio stations." The RNC would not reveal how much money they are spending on the ad that will run "indefinitely."