Analysis of information sources in references of the Wikipedia article "Chris Smith (New Jersey politician)" in English language version.
Merlino's most unforgettable TV ad was shot in black-and-white as an imitation of the film "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington." The ad shows a youthful vagabond hitchhiking as a voice-over attacks Smith. That was followed by the actor playing Smith getting kicked down the Capitol steps with the narrator urging voters to kick Smith out of Washington and replace him with Merlino. Republicans got actor Jimmy Stewart who played Mr. Smith in the movie, to issue a statement slamming Merlino. "When I played Mr. Smith in that picture, I did not think he was a naive hick," Stewart said. "I thought he believed in honesty and integrity in government, the right of the people and the love of his country." Stewart applauded Smith's record as a first-term congressman – "I hope you win," he said – and Merlino pulled the ad that had clearly backfired. Smith defeated Merlino with 53% of the vote.
