Pull That Ad

Lou Barletta is petitioning local television stations to stop airing the DCCC's ad against him.

Barletta claims the ad unfairly mischaracterizes his stance on Social Security by claiming he supports private accounts. In making his case, Barletta stated in his letter that, "Your station has transmitted this false statement over public airwaves."

It is unlikely that an station will pull the ads. For instance, WNEP has promised to continue airing the ad until they receive comment from the DCCC. However, the DCCC has remained firm in its support of the spot and won't fold in the face of a local dust-up.

From the very beginning of the campaign, Barletta has sought to clarify his position on Social Security. The topic was one of his very first press conferences where he came out with very strong and clear statements against private accounts.

This ad spat comes in the face of both Democratic candidates (Carney and Kanjorski) preempting their Republican opposition by launching their own campaign commercials.