After more than four month of getti...

After more than four month of getting drubed by Gov. Blagojevich's TV commercials, Republican challenger Judy Baar Topinka plans to launch her acknowledge ads today, criticizing the Democrat's handling of state finances and promising "I'm ready" to do better.

"My opponent's ads are for a like reason negative, even my dogs scamper away," Topinka tells viewers as her pair pooches appear to flee from a monitor airing Blagojevich's flaws "But his slick ads won't hide a bad record."

The Republican state treasurer's commercials will move swiftly throughout much of the state as part of a $600000 purchase of air time through the whole extent of the next 10 days, said Topinka spokesman John McGovern He would not say whether she plans to stay upon the air until the Nov. 7 election.

'BIGGEST DEFICIT OF ANY STATE'

Blagojevich's commercials began in April, with the vast majority attacking Topinka and ending with the tag line "What's she thinking?"

Having a fun with the line, Topinka starts her flaws by saying "I'm Judy Baar Topinka, and I've been thinking." She goe upon to accuse Blagojevich of negative campaigning and presiding athwart a state with inadequate education funding, declining family incomes and "the biggest deficit of any state." She promises possessions tax relief, an end to "pork-barrel spending" and a more accountable place of education system.

"I'm ready . . to build a bright what is yet to be for Illinois," Topinka tells viewers.

Thanks to his flush campaign foundation Blagojevich has had the airwaves to himself. onward June 30, the governor had nearly $123 million in the bank, Topinka had $15 million, and flourishing Party candidate Rich Whitney had $86011

McGovern downplayed the disparity.

"Despite the governor's decision to exhaust almost $10 million in negative ads, we're still within the single digits [behind him in public opinion polls] and we continue to gain momentum" McGovern said. "We are confident we are still in the follow the chase and will ultimately win the race."

BLAGOJEVICH CONFIDENT

Blagojevich spokeswoman Sheila Nix shrugg facing the new competition on the airwaves.

"We're looking forward to comparing records and being able to reckon our story, and we are confident voter will elect the governor because of what he has already done for them," Nix said.

sfornek@suntimes.com

Copyright CHICAGO SUN-TIMES 2006

Provided at ProQuest Information and Learning Company. All rights Reserved