Man, Fitzpatrick is goofy looking, and that's a terrible picture of himself in his own ad. He should have followed Bush's "put your FEC stand-by-your-ad message up front with extra black frames and hope people don't get too mad about your negative campaigning" strategy.

Murphy should have dwelled longer on each of his photos from Iraq and given them much more air time and spent less time talking to the camera. They also should have gotten his audio a little clearer sounding. He looks very honest and earnest, though. Watching both back-to-back, I think you'd definitely give Murphy the benefit of the doubt.

Also, when is the last time Chris Matthews challenged a Republican like that?

I'm afraid I think Fitzgerald's ad is far more effective, and Murphy's reply is weak. The Fitzgerald ad is dishonest and unpleasant- but it has a simple and very effective message: this guy isn't honest- with a simple and effective sub-text: ok, maybe he's "honest", but just wishy-washy...
The response is not to answer the charge. Not to express a position on Iraq. Nope: the repsonse is to post war photos, not with any message about Murphy's position on the war, but with the feeble response of "I've served, yet he's casting doubt on my patriotism". Ouch. Have we learnt nothing from Kerry and the swift-boating? Nope. Limp limp limp. Murphy does pose the "they're making a mess- had enough" sort of line- but here, that's not enough. The ad just needs to be tougher and to actually express an opinion. Eg, "unlike side-line commentator Fitzgerald, I've served in Iraq. And in my opinion (pick the honest answer!) a/ we could've done some good there- with proper planning and truely democratic objectives. But this slap-dash administration tried to invade Iraq on the cheap- for mad geopolitical reasons- not for the benefit of the American or the Iraqi people. We've got to toss them out before they turn it into an even bigger mess.... or b/ what I've seen makes me realise how we were conned into supporting this war. There were no wmds. There is no good end in sight. We need more tough, rational people in washington, so we can sort this mess out. We don't need another coat-tail hanger like Fitzgerald- just another voice in the squeaking republican chorus." etc etc.
What I haven't seen this election yet is any dems get really mad. Why not? Where's the passion? Are they really all so bland? I know people are scared: the Dean factor, etc- but controlled anger- in your own ad- is absolutely appropriate. We all know anger is a power motivator- and I'm just not seeing it. It gets ME mad! And it totally plays to the repug story-line: attack these guys personally, and they respond with mildness. Attack the US- they'll probably invite you in for a coffee... ArrrgH!!

I live in the Philly subuebs, have lived in the city and suburbs most of my life...mother born and raised her, grandmother born and raised here, etc. I like to think I have a feel for whats going on around here. I live in Allyson Schwartz' at this point solidly Democratic district, the only uncontested seat in the suburbs. have family in the weldon and gerlach districts. i think you are going to see married women with kids turning against the gop in these races...women who might have voted bepublican with reservations in the past but are energized particularly by the war in iraq but by a whole range of other issues, to vote for change and vote democratic. cutie like murphy doesnt hurt with that boting bloc either. i'm glad to see murphy hitting back. i saw the matthews ad on local tv and thought it was rather effective.not fatal though, an attack that can be countered as long as you can credibly counter it...we will see over the next three weeks if murphy can pull iy off in sn environment favorable to democrats and with top of the ticket support in the governor's and senator's races, both likely to go strongly democratic in the district.

The fact is that I was at a debate between Murphy and Fitzpatrick last week. Fitzpatrick does NOT have a position on the Iraq war. He says he does not support Murphy's plan for a timetable for withdrawel, and he no longer supports "stay the course," but he refuses to say what his position is. Murphy should have countered with that -- I know they have tape from that debate.

I live in PA-06 (Gerlach), and I think the most important point I can make is that I've seen the Fitzpatrick ad (in fact, I saw it three times this morning during Regis & Kelly, while I was getting ready for work). The Fitzpatrick ad makes Murphy look like a complete fool, so much so that I made my husband (who was working from home today) watch it. I have not seen the Murphy ad on tv here. While I don't think the Murphy ad is as good in terms of effectiveness, just getting it out there would be an improvement on nothing.

Personally, in addition to the neverending tv ads, I am also getting hammered by the constant mailers (at least 1 per day) from the Gerlach campaign. I've gotten a couple from Lois Murphy's campaign, but it seems like she's being significantly outspent. I'm hoping that's a sign of desperation and that it will go unrewarded.