The latest Crossroads GPS radio ad (below) paints U.S. Senate candidate and former Nebraska Gov. Bob Kerrey (D) as an out-of-towner embarrassing Nebraska with Washington backroom deals and New York liberalism.
After waffling for weeks, Kerrey announced his Senate bid on Feb. 29 and admitted a conversation with Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) helped persuade him, setting off a deluge of speculation as to what Reid might have promised.
The $80,000 ad buy slams the candidate for making "a deal so secret Kerrey won't talk about what promises were made," adding "Maybe that's how you do it when you lived in New York for the last decade, like Bob Kerrey. But it's not the Nebraska way."
Reid denied any kind of deal, saying Sunday he promised Kerrey nothing. But Republican opposition is already using their conversation to slam Kerrey's newly born campaign right out of the gate. The ad suggests it smacks of Sen. Ben Nelson's (D-Neb.) "Cornhusker Kickback" scandal -- a deal reached between Nelson and Reid exchanging federal favors for a "yea" vote on health care.
“On the heels of the Cornhusker Kickback, any sort of backroom deal is going to be poorly received,” Jon Bruning, who is hoping to challenge Kerrey in November, told the Las Vegas Sun last week.
Kerrey plans to fire back with a $100,000 TV ad buy of his own, reported Politico Tuesday.
10 more election stories from beyond the presidential field:
Record Number Of Candidates In Montana Legislative Races [Billings Gazette]
As Democrats Caucus, Romney Rallies for Hatch [Salt Lake Tribune]
Mark Critz And Jason Altmire Launch TV Ads In Pennsylvania [Politics PA]
Emily's List Backs Four More House Candidates [Roll Call]
Todd Akin Lashes Out At Potential Fourth Candidate [St. Louis Today]
Dems, GOP Eye Gabrielle Giffords' Congressional Seat [AZ Central]
Ex-Rep. Joe Schwarz Being Courted By Democrats In Michigan [Adrian Daily Telegram]
In Arizona, Don Bivens Ties Jeff Flake To Rush Limbaugh [National Journal]
Ben Cardin Up With First On-Air Ad In Senate Race [Baltimore Sun]
Tim Kaine Wins AFL-CIO Support In Virginia Senate Race [Washington Examiner]