What Wilson’s Ad Says

Gov. Pete Wilson began broadcasting the first television commercial of his presidential campaign last week.

* THE AD: The ad opens with a controversial scene the governor used in his 1994 reelection campaign--illegal immigrants fleeing across the U.S. border. An announcer then recites claims about Wilson’s record: “The first leader in America to have the courage to stand up against illegal immigration. The nation’s first governor to sign a ‘three strikes’ law for career criminals and ‘one strike’ for rapists and child molesters. The first to outlaw affirmative action quotas in state hiring and end preferences for college admission. And the only governor in America to have the guts to cut spending so much that his state budget is actually less after four years. While others talk about these issues, this determined ex-Marine has had the courage to do something about them.” The 60-second ad then pictures Wilson speaking to the camera: “I am guided by four fundamental principles. Individuals should be responsible and accountable for their actions. Individuals should be rewarded on the basis of merit. Government should be limited to safeguard freedom and opportunity. And we should value family as the foundation of our society.” The ad concludes with a tag line: “The power of ideas and the courage to make them happen. Pete Wilson for President.”

* THE ANALYSIS: Wilson’s claim that he is the “first leader” to oppose illegal migration is questionable although he has been prominent on the issue. Wilson’s executive order on state hiring ended affirmative action in some state programs; others remain under state law. The mention of “preferences for college admission” refers to a vote by the University of California regents that Wilson orchestrated. Wilson’s claim that the “state budget is actually less” refers to the state’s $43-billion general fund, which is roughly 0.7% lower than in 1991. The overall $57.5-billion state budget has increased 4%.