A new political advertisement from U.S. Rep. Bruce Poliquin’s congressional campaign features a politics-heavy gathering at a Lewiston hot dog stand that includes a local doctor touting the two-term Republican’s health care record.
At one point in the 30-second spot, the camera zooms in for a close-up of the physician’s name embroidered on his white coat.
It clearly identifies him as Dr. Thomas E. Page and his affiliation with Central Maine Medical Center.
That’s a problem, said Kate Carlisle, the director of public relations and community affairs for Central Maine Healthcare.
The hospital said Friday the commercial “should be taken down immediately” by the Poliquin campaign because it falsely implies the nonprofit medical provider endorses Poliquin. It said it never gave permission for the campaign to use its logo and it doesn’t get involved in politics.
It also said that the problem could be resolved by amending the ad.
The only response from Poliquin’s campaign to the flap was to point out it is “happy you are interested in writing about Dr. Page’s endorsement” of Poliquin.
Page, a 30-year doctor specializing in obstetrics and gynecology, was seeing patients Friday and did not return a phone call asking for comment.
Poliquin is locked in a tight battle in Maine’s 2nd District with Democrat Jared Golden of Lewiston. There are two independents in the race as well, Portland lawyer Tiffany Bond and Southwest Harbor educator Will Hoar.
Poliquin’s commercial, shot at Simones’ Hot Dog Stand, features a number of prominent Republicans in the Lewiston-Auburn area explaining quickly why they support the congressman’s re-election.
scollins@sunjournal.com
Dr. Thomas Page appears in a campaign commercial for U.S. Rep. Bruce Poliquin. (Screenshot from the ad)
Close-up of Dr. Thomas Page’s medical jacket that shows the logo of the Central Maine Medical Center in Lewiston, which has called for U.S. Rep. Bruce Poliquin’s campaign to pull the commercial that showed it. (Screenshot from the ad)
Send questions/comments to the editors.
