The League of Conservation Voters is taking a swing at Rep. Roy Blunt (R-Mo.) for not supporting climate and energy legislation, accusing him of being short on patriotism.
In a new television ad launched on Monday, LCV argues that Blunt does not believe in American ingenuity and the ability to develop new, clean energy sources, and has has been tainted by hundreds of thousands of dollars in donations from oil companies over the years. “Roy Blunt says no. No to clean energy. No to millions of new jobs,” says the ad. “Call Roy Blunt and tell him it’s time to start believing in America again.”
Blunt, the minority whip in the House, is the second-highest ranking Republican on the Energy and Commerce Committee, which will be taking up discussion of a draft climate bill this week. Earlier this month, Blunt criticized Democrats for trying to impose “new energy taxes” on Americans.
Blunt is the frontrunner for the GOP nomination to fill the seat of Republican Sen. Kit Bond, who is retiring in 2010. Thus, the ad is a very early strike in that race, which will likely be a contentious one, as Democrats have been making gains in Missouri in recent years.
The new ad, shown below, is airing across Missouri, with a focus on Blunt’s district in Springfield. LCV is also launching online ads and sending direct mailers, to “ensure that Missourians know that Rep. Blunt is opposed to creating good, American jobs in a clean, American energy sector,” according to the group.
