2010 campaign ads already being aired

The next election in Indiana takes place in May of 2010 but a pair of campaign ads already hit the air this week.

One of them is an ad by Republican Congressman Dan Burton.( Click here to watch it )

Burton is facing four primary opponents in the 5th District and he's the first to do television advertising.

The ad is about the health care reform bill and in it Burton said, "This is a bad bill for America, especially in these difficult economic times."

With four opponents making the case that he's been in Washington too long, Burton is playing up his experience on Capitol Hill.

Burton said, "I think the president is moving toward a European type Socialist government and people who know how to put some roadblocks in front of that and have been there for awhile can help get that done."

Republican Senate candidate Marlin Stutzman, meantime, launched his television campaign with an attack on Democrat incumbent Evan Bayh. ( Click here to watch it )

In the ad Stutzman said, "I don't approve of sending empty suits to Washington."

24-Hour News 8 asked his campaign manager, Robb Greene, where the charge comes from.

"Well, I think he's (Bayh) been silent this entire time," said Greene. "You know, he hasn't hosted any town halls. He hasn't really voiced his opinion on anything from health care to cap and trade to a host of issues."

For the Stutzman campaign, the ad is part of an effort to raise money and possibly to scare off a potential primary opponent or two.

Greene said, "I think people look at campaigns that do TV as credible."

But, considering the finances of the Stutzman campaign, this is an ad that will likely be viewed mostly on the Internet.

Congressman Burton, meantime, says he has a series of TV ads planned.