Bismarck Tribune - Bismarck News - Staffer for Liffrig quits over TV ad dispute

Staffer for Liffrig quits over TV ad dispute

Oct 05, 2004 - 23:15:57 CDT

By DEENA WINTER, Bismarck Tribune

U.S. Senate candidate Mike Liffrig's press secretary has left the campaign in frustration over a provocative television ad campaign that accused his opponent, Byron Dorgan, of supporting gay marriage.

Chris Morrola was Liffrig's press secretary from July 1 until last week, when he returned to Virginia. Morrola said he left largely due to the TV advertisements that were broadcast over his objections. He said he opposes gay marriage, but the ads were inflammatory and only hurt Liffrig's polling numbers.

"I think Mike Liffrig is a good man with good intentions and his heart is in the right place," Morrola said. "However, some of the people operating his campaign have made serious errors, tactically speaking, that have cost Mike any chance of defeating Byron Dorgan."

Morrola has worked on six other campaigns, including four previous congressional campaigns.

When asked about Morrola's departure, Liffrig's campaign manager, Jon Zahm, said Morrola wanted to return home to his family. Zahm said he had no knowledge of Morrola's unhappiness over the ads.

"There's probably a lot of things that I could say about him," he said. "He was not a real big part of the campaign."

He said Morrola's departure is no big deal; most campaigns experience a 50 percent turnover in staff because working on a campaign is such a stressful experience, with long hours and low pay.

Liffrig's ads, which ran for two weeks, criticized Dorgan for voting against an amendment to the U.S. Constitution to ban same-sex marriage. The ads showed two men at an altar, preparing to kiss while an announcer said, "With Sen. Dorgan now supporting gay marriages ... you can kiss our North Dakota values goodbye. Or we can kiss Dorgan goodbye."

Zahm stands by the ads. He said when you're running against an incumbent, you have to shake things up and get voters' attention. Zahm said the ads, which cost $40,000, increased Liffrig's name recognition to 82 percent. When asked how the ads affected Liffrig's poll numbers, Zahm said he hasn't released their most recent poll numbers yet, even "to most of our staff," for strategic purposes.

Liffrig did not return a call seeking comment.

(Reach Deena Winter at 250-8251 or deena.winter@bismarcktribune.com.)

News > Local

Printer friendly version Staffer for Liffrig quits over TV ad dispute

Comments

P Meyer wrote on Jan 8, 2008 9:39 PM:

" It's time!! The technology for economical transmission of wind generated power needs to be ascertained! The need to give support to the economy of the midwest could be seated in this energy potential. Wind is clean and very available in the center of our country. "

Local Rube wrote on Jun 18, 2007 2:37 PM:

" This article brings back memories.....back when 710 The Fan was born. 710 AM was a good station when it carried FAN programming. Since it started carrying ESPN Radio 24/7, the quality of the station has drastically dropped, in my opinion. It is not worth listening to at all. It is a waste of a frequency. The powers that be at that station made the wrong decision to drop the FAN. I hope they regret it. Hopefully, another station will pick up the FAN soon. It is necessary programming for this area. "

people wrote on Jan 9, 2007 3:17 PM:

" these comments dont have anything to do with this topic "

rose diggs wrote on Nov 18, 2006 2:15 PM:

" i feel as if all persons with criminial cases should be a lould.to get a job and pay for their own court costs and for the ones that all ready have a job the same applies. "

hmmmm? wrote on Oct 4, 2006 3:53 PM:

" Why is it these comments have nothing to do with the article??! "

Professer Calvin wrote on Aug 25, 2006 6:11 PM:

" This is scientifically false beileve me i study meterology and this is wrong vnnefenfjenkmnfalkesn "

Earl Nisbet wrote on Jul 13, 2006 8:24 PM:

" Dear Ms. Grantier: I was impressed with your fine article, but it left me wondering about "your Don Falconer." I am an architect who designed a house for Mr. and Mrs. Donald Falconer in Soquel, California. Don had a history here in the Santa Cruz area, and worked as Vice President for the local County Bank. I wrote a book which contains some drawings and photos of the "Falconer House," and since I have been trying to locate my old client, your article was shared with me. Do you think your Don and my Don falconer could be the same person? I will follow with a message to see part of my book containing the Falconer House, but the chapter you will see does not list the aforementioned house. Best - Earl Nisbet. "http://www.atlasbooks.com/marktplc/01609.htm" "

Earl Nisbet wrote on Jul 13, 2006 8:12 PM:

" I am an architect who designed a house for MR. Don Falconer and his wife Eunice in Soquel, California. Could the aforementioned Don Falconer be one and the same? I just finished a book called Taliesin Reflections that has drawings and photos of the house I designe in Soquel for the Falconers. To see part of the book click on :"http:www.atlasbooks.com/marktplc/01609.htm" Thank you, Earl Nisbet.California. "

Lesia wrote on Jun 2, 2006 3:46 PM:

" Our church in Thunder Bay makes pyrohy and holubci every other week, and charge $5 per-dozen for each ... which is still a bargain for homemade quality. The ladies sell 400-450 dozen of pyrohy and 250-325 dozen of holubci every other week. Thanks to them, this pays the bills and has allowed for a very nice nest-egg for the future. "

Post Your Own Comment

All online comments are limited to 350 words total.
Comments are reviewed for taste, tone and language before posting.
Some comments may be used in the Tribune's print edition.
We value and respect your privacy, but The Bismarck Tribune might
disclose certain information to governmental entities if served with subpoena.