Truth Test: Brad Carson campaign ad about tornado aid

In campaign 2004 - a whirlwind of claims have come out about former Congressman Tom Coburn. <br/><br/>During the last week of September, the Brad Carson Campaign and a Democratic group launched an attack

Friday, October 1st 2004, 12:37 pm

By: News On 6

In campaign 2004 - a whirlwind of claims have come out about former Congressman Tom Coburn.

During the last week of September, the Brad Carson Campaign and a Democratic group launched an attack on Tom Coburn - claiming he voted against money for Oklahoma tornado victims. News on 6 reporter Emory Bryan put those ads to the truth test.

Announcer: "It was one of the worst natural disasters in Oklahoma history."

The Carson ad says Tom Coburn voted against money for tornado victims.

Announcer: "He called it 'malarkey' and voted no. Tom Coburn turned his back on disaster victims".

An ad financed by democrats makes the same claim.

Announcer: "Our own congressman, voting against help for Oklahomans, saying we don't need it."

The ads are so similiar they might seem to be part of a coordinated effort - but that's illegal under campaign finance laws - which is why the democratic ad has a disclaimer at the end. A Carson campaign spokesman called the similarities "just a coincidence." But what about the claim?

Announcer: "Tom Coburn votes no on $900 million dollars in disaster aid."

In the days after the tornadoes - Tom Coburn did vote against a bill that included disaster aid. It gave FEMA authority to use the money for any disaster - including Oklahoma's tornadoes. The bill was specific on providing much more money for overseas disasters and totalled $15 billion dollars - a bill so big that Senators Nickles and Inhofe voted against it too.

Coburn responded to Carson's ads by saying - "I just can't believe Brad would stoop this low. If he's willing to exploit this tragedy, what will he do next?"

Carson's campaign stands by the ads that continue to run frequently on television statewide.

Coburn says FEMA already had enough money to respond to the tornadoes, and this was one of those bills he voted against because it was a budget buster.