Libertarian's Ad Takes Cues From 'South Park'
by Dan Bernstein

October 30, 1998 - The Sacramento Bee

Gray Davis and Dan Lungren are debating once again on television, and this time they sound almost exactly alike.

At least that's the impression created by a humorous, 60-second animated commercial being aired on cable television stations throughout the state by Steve Kubby, the Libertarian candidate for governor.

The commercial is a not-so-subtle take-off of the popular "South Park" program on the cable network Comedy Central -- down to the killing of one of the show's cartoon characters as occurs during each episode.

"As governor, I'll reduce crime, educate your children and lower taxes," announces a caricature of Republican Lungren, standing at a lectern bearing the words, "Paid for by huge corporations."

"If I were governor, I'd reduce taxes, educate your children and lower crime," proclaims a caricature of Democrat Davis, standing at a lectern bearing the words, "Paid for by huge unions."

When a caricature of Kubby appears on the stage, the two major party candidates attempt to shut him down.

"How'd you get in here?" Lungren asks.

"You don't have $40 million!" Davis protests.

Undeterred, Kubby outlines his platform: "If I become governor of California, I'll work to remove power from politicians and their corporate sponsors and return it to families," he says. "People need choices when it comes to education, health care and helping their communities."

The other candidates are not impressed.

"Hippie," Lungren sneers.

"Commie," Davis snaps.

At the end of the commercial, Lungren kills a cartoon character named "Denny" by pulling an intravenous tube from his arm that is hooked up to a bottle labeled "Proposition 215" -- the medical marijuana initiative passed by California voters in 1996. Kubby was a leading proponent of that measure; Lungren was a leading opponent.

Spokesmen for the Davis and Lungren campaigns were not immediately available for comment on the ad.

Kubby campaign manager Gene Cisewski said the creators of "South Park" had nothing to do with the ad -- nor did the campaign seek their permission before airing the commercial.

A spokesman for Comedy Central said the network doesn't intend to take legal action against the campaign.

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