Robin Carnahan's New TV Ad: "Potatoes"

Today, Robin Carnahan's Senate campaign released a new television ad titled, "Potatoes." (http://www.robincarnahan.com/potatoes)

The new ad is the latest in the story of how Congressman Blunt has left Missouri behind and become the very worst of Washington. From protecting Wall Street and orchestrating the $700 billion bailout, to his ties to convicted lobbyist Jack Abramoff, and now his billions in reckless spending, Missourians are learning the truth about Blunt's disturbing 14-year Washington record.

Called a "prodigious pork-meister," Congressman Blunt has been a fierce defender and promoter of the Washington earmark system. Even his hometown newspaper, the Springfield News Leader, took him to task for allowing "earmarks to get out of control during an era of no accountability." The new ad highlights Blunt's unique role in overseeing an explosion in earmarks that allowed funding for projects such as a teapot museum in North Carolina, a swimming pool in California, and Potato research in Idaho - all paid for by taxpayers. [Vote #605, 11/18/05; Vote #277, 6/14/06; Vote #507, 7/9/09; Springfield News-Leader, Editorial, 6/16/07]

"Congressman Blunt didn't just vote for a few worthy Missouri projects, he oversaw the explosion in wasteful spending that has sent billions of dollars to wasteful projects outside of Missouri,"said Linden Zakula, Robin Carnahan's spokesman. "Congressman Blunt's record of delivering pet earmark projects for Washington lobbyists while Missouri families continue to struggle is just another example of how he has become the very worst of Washington."

Robin Carnahan has repeatedly challenged Congressman Blunt to disclose all his past earmark requests--because Missourians deserve to know how he has sought to spend their money. On Blunt's watch, earmarks increased 7-fold -from 1,600 earmarks to 12,000 earmarks each year - and have cost taxpayers more than $225 billion. These wasteful spending habits helped turn a $128 billion surplus into a $1.2 trillion deficit. [Citizens Against Government Waste; CBO]

As part of her plan to crackdown on wasteful spending in Washington, Robin has called for a ban on all earmarks and has already pledged not to partake in the earmark process in Washington.

Watch the video here: http://www.robincarnahan.com/potatoes