Boxer and Fiorina duel on the airwaves in new ads

This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.

Democratic Sen. Barbara Boxer and Carly Fiorina both began airing new ads this week in their hard-fought contest. Boxer’s ad is the latest in a series of spots critical of layoffs and the relocation of jobs overseas during Fiorina’s tenure as chief executive of Hewlett-Packard. The new ad features four workers who say they were fired from H-P while Fiorina earned millions of dollars in compensation.

“I had to pack my bags, and I was out the door that night,” an employee identified as Larry says as he presses his lips together.

Another former employee named Teri says some of the American jobs eliminated were moved to China: “We even had to train our replacements.’

“Fiorina never cared about our jobs — not then and not now,” one of the workers says in conclusion.

Andrea Saul, a spokeswoman for Fiorina, described the accusations in the ad as ‘outlandish, hypocritical’ and ‘completely illogical,’ and questioned whether the workers featured in the ad had traveled overseas to train their replacements. In light of Boxer’s criticisms, Fiorina has also suggested that Boxer return contributions from companies that have laid off workers or moved American jobs overseas. Boxer has dismissed that challenge as an attempt by her rival to distract voters from her corporate record. Boxer’s campaign could not be immediately reached for comment.

In the meantime, Fiorina is continuing her efforts to reach out to independent voters with a new spot in which she promises to take on dysfunction in Washington.

“California jobs gone and Barbara Boxer plays politics,” the ad’s narrator says as unemployment figures flicker on the screen. Superimposed over a blurry and unflattering image of Boxer, the ad cites criticism of the three-term senator by the San Francisco Chronicle editorial board, which declined to endorse either candidate and said Californians deserve a senator “able to reach across party lines to achieve progress” adding that Boxer “falls short on those counts.”

“When bickering ends, solutions begin. No partisan games,” a smiling Fiorina says to the camera. “I’ll reach across the aisle, work with others, oppose my party if needed. Your agenda. Not mine.’

Fiorina, a Republican, has been a sharp critic of President Obama’s legislative achievements, including the stimulus program and the healthcare bill, and she has offered few examples of areas where she disagrees with members of her party. But she has criticized spending increases under both Democrats and Republicans while praising bipartisan efforts to curb spending. She has also promised, if elected, to work with Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein to boost water deliveries to the Central Valley.

-- Maeve Reston in Los Angeles