Denounce the ad, Darcy Burner

Political ads are mind-numbingly flooding TV broadcasts. Whether touting a candidate or trashing an opponent, they are not intended to be fair or, often, even true.

But there is one TV ad benefiting Democratic congressional candidate Darcy Burner that is beyond the pale, not because of what it says but because it violates a copyright of TVW, Washington's public-affairs network.

Burner, who is challenging incumbent GOP Rep. Dave Reichert in the 8th District, is not responsible for the ad. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) is running the ad attacking her opponent. The TV ad depicts Reichert at a meeting saying GOP leadership comes to him and tells him how to vote, and he'll take the vote.

It omits his next line: "There are some times when I say, 'No, I won't.' "

Our criticism goes beyond the ad's inaccuracy, however. Rather, it is about the use of copyrighted TVW footage without permission, which would never have been granted in this case.

That is not because TVW is partisan — it most studiously is not. The state's version of C-SPAN, TVW provides unedited, nonpartisan delivery of state government meetings, court proceedings, political debates and meetings of statewide interest.

TVW officials have contacted the DCCC and demanded the footage no longer be used — to no avail. It has tried to enlist Burner to persuade the DCCC. Though TVW found her campaign did order a tape of the comments earlier this year, she says it's not her responsibility.

That's not good enough — and it's bad leadership. TVW is a public benefit. In its dozen years of existence, every other political candidate has respected the copyright.

Burner should know that and not want any part of this violation.

She might not be responsible directly for the ad, but she benefits. Burner should denounce the ad and call for its removal.