It's Dold, not Dole, in new ad

In his new network TV commercial, Republican congressional candidate Robert Dold uses a rock ‘n' roll jingle to make sure voters know he's not the similarly named former senator from Kansas.

The 30-second spot, called “Dold" with a D, is Dold's first network commercial in the 10th District race. Democratic opponent Dan Seals hit the networks with his own ad last week.

The candidates had been advertising on less-expensive radio and cable TV until this month.

Dold's new commercial will run on all the local networks and local cable stations, the campaign said.

The ad criticizes government spending and the current lawmakers in Washington, D.C., while singers repeat the phrase “Dold" with a D not an E. It's a reference to former Republican Senator Bob Dole, who unsuccessfully ran for president in 1996.

“It's a lighthearted effort to highlight Bob Dold's name, while also referencing the similarities with another well-known, well-respected leader," campaign spokesman John McGovern said.

The ditty was written and performed by Winnetka resident Bill Ferguson, a former classmate of Dold's at New Trier High School, McGovern said. It also features children who attended a recent Dold rally with their parents, he said.

The commercial doesn't identify Dold as a Republican or mention Seals. It doesn't say Dold is running the 10th District, either.

Dold's bouncy ad is radically different from Seals' network debut, an attack piece that hammered Dold for his stances on some issues and support he received during the primary from an anti-abortion group.

Both campaigns have been tight-lipped about their media strategies approaching Election Day, but federal campaign financial disclosure forms that are due to be filed by Friday night could shed light on their plans.

Dold, of Kenilworth, and Seals, of Wilmette, are vying to replace Republican Mark Kirk as the district's representative. Kirk gave up the seat, which serves parts of Cook and Lake counties, to run for the U.S. Senate.