Remember that TV ad for U.S. Rep. Jim DeMint starring his two daughters, which transformed DeMint-the-admittedly-stiff-Senate-candidate into adoring dad?

Apparently, DeMint isn’t the only Senate hopeful to get such a makeover.

DeMint’s adman Scott Howell, an S.C. native who also does work for President Bush, shot a spot in 2002 for GOP Sen. Norm Coleman of Minnesota that looks awfully familiar.

And this summer, Howell did one that’s even more similar for Republican U.S. Senate candidate John Thune of South Dakota, featuring his two teenage daughters.

All three feature daughters bathed in sparkling sunlight, rapid dialogue and loads of smiles.

Near the end of the Coleman ad, then-12-year-old Sarah Coleman looks at her dad with such love, the normally nonpartisan Buzz wanted to move to the Twin Cities and vote Republican.

Democrats call the ads “cookie-cutter.”

“Jim DeMint’s ads are about as fresh and original as a ‘Police Academy’ sequel,” says Adam Kovacevich, spokesman for DeMint’s Democratic opponent, Inez Tenenbaum.

But Howell, whose firm is based in Dallas, insists the ads all are unique.

DeMint’s ad countered his policy-wonk image during this June’s GOP primary. Coleman’s was done after Minnesota’s former Democratic Sen. Paul Wellstone died in a plane crash during the campaign.

And Thune’s introduces the three-term congressman to voters as a loyal South Dakotan who married his college sweetheart. Thune is running against Senate Democratic leader Tom Daschle, who has served in the Senate since 1986.

“They speak to different aspects of issues or character traits and were used at different times for different reasons,” Howell says.

FAREWELL, YOUNG (ATA)TURK

The Buzz has lost one of its favorite members of Gov. Mark Sanford’s staff.

Daniel Layfield, Sanford’s research coordinator, has left for law school at his former boss’ alma mater, the University of Virginia.

The Buzz will forever owe Layfield for his decision to have Sanford laud former Turkish leader Mustafa Ataturk in the governor’s first State of the State address in 2003.

Sanford ultimately apologized for praising the man many Greeks, Armenians and Assyrians believe to have been a mass murderer.

Layfield’s colleagues, including Sanford, sent Layfield packing with a joyous celebration Thursday night at the Rockaway Athletic Club restaurant and bar. The Buzz happened to be at a nearby booth.

It was a good thing Hurricane Charley did not make a quick turn toward South Carolina between 6 and 11 p.m. that night, as most of the governor’s staff had beer in hand.