Dallas DA race heats up with new commercial

by Joanna Cattanach of Chick Talk Dallas

Keep the debates coming -- it’s funny when lawyers get after it.

Have you seen Dallas County district attorney candidate Danny Clancy’s new campaign commercial? In the 30-second spot, Clancy claims current District Attorney Craig Watkins acts "like a celebrity politician" who is misappropriating money and "living the good life." He hasn’t tried a case as district attorney, either.

Danny Clancy TV spot

Video from YouTube user MediaAllyn

Clancy, a former district attorney, judge, and defense attorney, says Dallas needs "a tough prosecutor, not just another politician." For the record, I believe many of those celebrity appearances concerned the release of inmates exonerated through DNA many of whom were wrongly convicted by the Dallas County District Attorney’s office. And it was Watkins who established the Conviction Integrity Unit, the first of its kind in the United States, that is responsible for reviewing DNA and non-DNA related cases "where evidence identifies different or additional perpetrators."

I’m sorry Mr. Clancy, but the tough-as-nails claims doesn’t fly anymore in Dallas. Previous DAs also prided themselves on conviction rates. And they convicted innocent people time and time again (just ask Stephen Brodie). I’m not saying that Watkins is the perfect candidate. He comes off as awkward in public appearances at times (or flustered) and has had his share of scandal and has had somewhat of a gilded first term (Texan of the Year, a reality show on Discovery, an appearance on The View), but I’m not interested in another candidate who wants more convictions and less justice. IJS. Keep the debates coming though! It’s funny when lawyers get after it.