Cruz Bustamante's New TV Ad: "I Was Really Fat"

Lt. Gov. Cruz Bustamante certainly has run one of oddest campaigns in California, if not the country. That's not necessarily a bad thing, given the extremely boring nature of most of the campaign ads out there.

Bustamante, right, has made his quest for insurance commissioner almost entirely about his self-described obesity and efforts to lose weight. He has shed 70 pounds so far, and he can't stop talking about it. Perhaps this is some brilliant way to connect with ordinary Californians, many of whom are struggling with their own weight issues, but it sure sounds weird.

Now, Bustamante is spending the last of his dwindling campaign money on two new TV ads — about $780,000 worth of airtime as the election draws near. The 15-second ads are sort of jarring in how quickly Bustamante starts out "Oprah" and ends up a politician.

The first ad begins: "I was really fat. I promised my family I would lose 70 pounds. I kept that promise. I'll keep this promise: I'll lower your insurance rates." In the second he says, "I worked hard to lose weight because our individual behavior matters. That's why your driving record, not where you live, should lower your car insurance."

(Photo: Bustamante campaign)