Rep. Joe Donnelly's (D-Ind.) latest ad portrays him as a bipartisan pragmatist while poking fun at his opponent, Indiana state Treasurer Richard Mourdock (R), for his uncompromisingly conservative views.
The ad reflects the central strategy of Donnelly's campaign: to frame himself as a nonpartisan while painting Mourdock as outside the political mainstream in the Republican-leaning state.
"For years I coached our kids in baseball and basketball, always preaching teamwork," Donnelly says, standing on a basketball court. "But in Washington, the teams just bicker. As senator, I'll work across party lines to balance the budget and cut spending. Richard Mourdock insists on tax breaks for Wall Street and the oil companies, and like that one guy in the stands, he thinks he's got all the answers."
Donnelly is then interrupted by a Mourdock impersonator in the stands who yells, "Hey, Donnelly, it's my way or the highway."
"You know, nothing gets done by yelling from the bleachers," Donnelly closes the ad.
His campaign did not disclose how much is behind the ad, though it said it will run statewide on broadcast and cable television.
The Hill rates this race a "toss-up."
