Union Airs Loaded, Controversial Radio Ad Against Mitch McConnell

A new radio ad is being aired in Kentucky that, after attacking Mitch McConnell on political grounds, goes after the Senate Minority Leader for not being forthcoming about his military record.

The spot, put out by the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, already has some in-state observers up in arms over what they believe is a not-so-subtle suggestion that McConnell may be hiding aspects of his sexual orientation. One report called it the "Worst Anti-McConnell Ad Ever" for its use of suggestive language to breath life into never-proven rumors about the Senator.

"Now, people in Kentucky are asking why Mitch McConnell won't release his entire military records," goes the script. "The Lexington Herald-Leader reported that McConnell was discharged after serving less than six months. But McConnell won't discuss the full details ... What is he hiding? ... Isn't it time for Mitch McConnell to be straight with us?"

To be sure, the issue of McConnell's military records has been raised in a political context before. In 2002, the Lexington Herald-Leader investigated the matter after McConnell's opponent claimed he received "preferential treatment" in being discharged from the army during Vietnam. The paper reported the Senator had an eye problem that had led to a hospitalization and that the condition flared up occasionally during his time in the Army.

This past week, Democratic state Rep. Greg Stumbo, the former Kentucky attorney general, again brought up the topic when he called on McConnell to release documentation pertaining to his military history.

"Elections should be about informed choices. He's obviously not proud of his record, Sen. McConnell isn't, or he would have shown it by now," Stumbo said. "Something isn't correct about it that might cause a lot of people, including veterans, to take a second look at him."

As it happens, a day later, a prominent gay-rights activist - Mike Rogers - called on McConnell to do the same thing, arguing that Kentuckians deserved answers about the Senator's record.

Comments

[LeeCalif]

Anyway McConnell loses is fine with me. He's a pig.

[larry278]

The GOP, including the fundies & neo-cons-if they continue to exist on 11/5/08, needs to get state of the art gaydar.

[Rnactivist]

working people and unionists need to kick this man to the curb!! He and his anti labor secretary of a wife...he needs to go... kentucky,..do us a favor and vote him out!!

[HurryUp1212009]

What is it about being a Republican that turns men gay - too many trips to the steam room at the country club? Or is the Republican Party the down low cafe for closet queens?

[Dunworkin]

Maybe that is why he always wants to reach across the isle and FONDLY Joe lieberman,and chubby butt lindsay graham.

[keepemhonest]

Mitch McConnell cannot be trusted. He is a clone to Bush/Cheney ...

DITCH MITCH!

[Okieborn]

McConnell is a cut and dried Repulican and add a large portion of back stabbing and this is Mitch McConnell !!!

[morefromLA]

Given what Dick Cheney has just done for(to) John McCain, isn't it time for Wyoming Senator Larry Craig to come out in full support of Mitch McConnell?

[Jellybelly]

He would but he's not from Wyoming.

[SOLERSO68]

Who cares if hes gay.. i think hes a chicken hawk. My belief is that "confessed" to being gay as his tour of duty in vietnam approached...thats the real issue. most gay men who have served in combat LIED about it to avoid being discharged. some unhappy souls have even married and rasied children to hold on to thier millitary careers

[karela]

What if he lied and said he was gay so that he could go home, but he wasn't gay? That too would be news. Nobody knows the true answer if McConnell won't release the records. If it's just an eye condition, why in the world wouldn't he have laid this to rest by releasing the records long ago?

One thing we do know is that McConnell organized and led the republican caucus to block by fillibuster every bill that came before congress for the past two years. For over a year they even blocked things they agreed with because they said that NO bill would be passed until the democrats agreed to give the telecoms immunity for conducting illegal spying on their customers without a warrant and just because the Bush administration wanted them to. McConnell brought our government to a standstill for two years without caring about the harm he was doing to the country. It was all done purely for political reasons. First to keep the telecoms happy and second to make it appear that the 2006 democrat influx into congress wasn't doing anything. Low information voters believe that junk. McConnell should go because of the harm he has done and is willing to do to the country in his quest for political power. DITCH MITCH!

[caterpol]

He and his ilk have insisted on making homosexuality an issue. And not just a moral one, a legal one.

And I can only guess that part of his sales pitch has been his military record.

When you carve out a platform, don't be surprised when you're asked to back up your creds. It's a little to late to be calling foul after the fact. What's good for the goose...

[Jingo]

Mitch McConnell did in fact suffer from an eye condition. However I believe it was not optic neuritis, but rather a condition know as oculus pro gluteus firmus... or in layman's terms an eye for a tight soldier butt.

[gbw1954]

Mitch is doing what he does best... leading a filibuster! And Mitch, with the number of people you have spoken ill of... it is a wonder anyone would produce a spot in your favor even if they got paid!
Here is hoping you are out looking for packing boxes this coming weekend....

[Dave01]

PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!! NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We (gays) DON'T WANT HIM!!!!!!!­!!!!!!!!!!­!!

Yes I know I'm shouting!

[spartanmom]

I think you've got cause

[Horus45]

If anyone knew, exactly how many closeted Republicans are currently serving in congress, they would be dumbstruck.

[mrJJ]

ALL Politics are LOCAL...

Every single Republican & GOP McBush candidate on the down ticket during this election cycle must be voted down or out of office.

GOTV for Obama/Biden