Domino’s Senate Ad Avoids His Wealth
BY BUDDY NEVINS
In State Rep. Carl Domino’s campaign ad, he is just a kid who made good, married a beautiful woman and is running for the state Senate.
Aw shucks.
What the ads doesn’t say is that Domino is one of the richest members of the state Legislature and he went to that hub of pointy-headed liberals — Harvard.
Don’t get me wrong. I like the ad. It humanizes Domino. When you finish watching it, you’ll like Domino, too.
Domino of Jupiter is running against state Rep. Ellyn Bogdanoff of Fort Lauderdale in the Republican primary for the northeast Broward and Palm Beach County state Senate district.
The ad portrays Domino as living the American Dream.
He is the middle class kid who struggles his way to become a multi-millionaire.
The ad wisely avoids the millionaire part, because unless you’re a rap star it is not polite to brag about your wealth. It also is good politics because you want to be a Man Of The People. And most of The People aren’t millionaires.
So the ad doesn’t mention Domino is among the richest members of the Legislature with a net worth of $28.5 million. That’s down from $41 million in 2007, before the recession.
It emphasizes his humble roots.
Domino flipped burgers at Florida State University and went on to active duty in Vietnam with the U. S. Navy.
He enrolled in Harvard School of Business, something that’s also not mentioned in the ad. Harvard is kryptonite to some elements in the Republican party.
He then built a successful investment business in Palm Beach County. Made a lot of money. Married and had two children, Reagan (Great name for a Republican!) and Maso.
In 2002, Domino “ran for the state House to cut taxes and spending.
He ends the ad saying how much he loves South Florida while standing in the ocean with his suit pants rolled up. It’s a humorous touch that portrays this millionaire as accessable, like your goofy next door neighbor.
The ad is effective. Look at it here.
(A personal disclosure: My son is the district aide for Bogdanoff.)
June 28th, 2010 at 2:59 pm
Carl is being crushed by Ellyn in Broward. He deserves a look. He is a veteran, a accomplished businessman and a good guy.
June 28th, 2010 at 4:16 pm
Buddy: Please post Carl’s second ad. It might be one of the worst in campaign history. There is probably a reason they didn’t send it to you. The above poster is only half right though. Bogdanoff is not only destroying Domino in Broward, she is also beating him on the ground in Palm Beach as well.
FROM BUDDY: If you are calling Ellyn “the fat lady” you are way off base.
Ellyn is a lot of things, but as long as I’ve known her – at least 15 years – she has been extremely fit.
June 29th, 2010 at 7:04 am
Buddy,
I think you are being a little bit tone deaf to fat lady’s choice of a handle. I don’t think the intent is to call Ellyn fat. I suggest the handle is a riff on the expression it is not over until the fat lady sings.
June 29th, 2010 at 8:20 am
Buddy,
That went right over your head.