Now, let's get this clear. When you see or hear an ad for Bellevue lawyer John Groen you hear that "Change Pac" pays for it.

Groen is running against Chief Justice Gerry Alexander of the state's Supreme Court. Alexander's campaign says the ads are deceptive because they are actually paid for by the Building Industry Association of Washington, known as BIAW. Both Change Pac and the association have the exact same post office box. The chief justice's campaign staff says this is "a clear attempt by the BIAW to hide the fact that it is the primary supporter for Mr. Groen."

Erin Shannon of the Building Association says not true because "the day each radio and television ad has gone on-air, BIAW has issued a press statement taking full responsibility for the ads." She says the ads are, indeed, paid for by the political action committee set up by the building industry association.

"BIAW has nothing to hide, which is why we issue a press release with every ad announcing that BIAW is paying for them," says Shannon in a press release, issued in response to our query.

Eh?

The public hears or sees an ad, and it says the ad for candidate Groen is paid for by "Change Pac."

We have seen or heard no media that placed a news story next to the ad proclaiming the money is actually coming from BIAW. Advertising and news are strictly segregated in all but the Internet blogs.

Why press releases? Why doesn't the BIAW simply say, "Paid for by Change Pac, a political action committee of the Building Industry Association of Washington?

We asked Shannon that question and she replied that in a 15 second commercial, adding that information would use too much time. BIAW is doing what is legally required, no doubt, but does the public get the full message?