Baldacci revered in ad from term-limit opponent

WASHINGTON – Congressman John Baldacci received an unusual honor Tuesday when the U.S. Term Limits Foundation introduced a TV ad thanking him for honoring his commitment to term limits and keeping his pledge not to serve more than four terms in the U.S. House of Representatives.

“I appreciate the kindness and the support of the group,” Baldacci said. “But every award and recognition I receive goes directly to the people of Maine.”

The 30-second ad, which will run in Maine this week, opens and closes with a black-and-white headshot of Baldacci. It also gives an aerial tour of Maine, depicts an elderly couple talking and a child and his father playing in a heap of leaves, and briefly shows the U.S. Capitol.

The announcer praises Baldacci because “he’s stood up for Maine values instead of caving in to the special interests” and “never became part of the Washington system.” The commercial closes with the words “John Baldacci: An Honest Man in Politics” printed on the screen.

Baldacci made a pledge in 1994 to serve in Congress for only eight years. “I was asked in a forum in 1994, when I was first running for Congress, if I would honor that decision, and I was raised to believe strongly that we are public servants and need to be responsive to individuals’ wishes,” Baldacci said.

In 1994 the voters of Maine overwhelmingly endorsed a term limits measure but in 1995 the Supreme Court struck down as unconstitutional the term limit laws that had been passed by 23 states and ruled that the only way to limit the number of terms members of Congress can serve is to pass a constitutional amendment.

Baldacci was chosen for the term limits ad because he showed commitment to his pledge, said Paul Jacob, national director of U.S. Term Limits.

“One reason Baldacci is such an effective representative and enjoys the support of so many people is because he’s working under deadline,” Jacob said. “It’s unfortunate that it is unusual when people do what they say they’ll do. That’s why it’s important to show when people in Washington do keep their word.”

“I believe you have to do your job to the best of your ability,” Baldacci said. Even if he was not considering running for Governor in 2002, he would still stick to the pledge, he said.

“I have some reservations about term limits,” he said. “But the people of Maine should be the dominant voice,” said Baldacci. “I still have two years left to do good things here.”

U.S. Term Limits also released similar ads for Rep. Matt Salmon, an Arizona Republican who left Congress last year after serving three terms and Rep. John Thune, a South Dakota Republican who is currently in his third term.