Politics on the Hudson

Rep. Randy Kuhl today released his second television ad, this time with an attack on Democratic opponent Eric Massa’s negative ads.

Kuhl and Massa are running in one of the most competitive House races in New York, the 29th district which runs from the Rochester suburbs through the Southern Tier.

“Aren’t you tired of politics as usual?,” the ad starts. “So why is Eric Massa starting his campaign with dishonest negative attacks that one newspaper labeled exaggerated to the point of absurdity? The truth is Randy Kuhl puts the needs of our community first.”

Kuhl also continued the assault by Republicans over Democratic candidates’ ties to embattled Rep. Charlie Rangel, saying Rangel is one of his opponent’s biggest campaign contributors.

“From violating election laws to admitting to federal tax evasion, New York Congressman Charlie Rangel has personified congressional sleaze,” Kuhl said. “Even though Mr. Rangel has broken federal and state laws, Eric Massa continues to rake in tainted campaign contributions from him to the tune of nearly $66,000. In fact, Rangel is one of Mr. Massa’s biggest campaign contributors.”

Kuhl called on Massa to return the money, which Massa has yet to do.

The attacks on Massa is illustrative of what Democrats and Republicans have said behind the scene about Kuhl: He is more aggressive in this campaign than he was in 2004 and 2006.

“How many scandals can Charlie Rangel have before Eric Massa stops taking his money?,” Kuhl continued. “Apparently three separate scandals and three congressional ethical investigations in the span of three months isn’t enough.”

Meanwhile, state Democrats hit Day 4 today of the Kuhl debate watch, saying that Kuhl continues to make excuses for not agreeing to debates with Massa, his 2006 opponent.

Democrats pointed to this Elmira Star-Gazette article today in which Kuhl’s spokesman Justin Stokes, said “some debates are planned, but it is difficult to schedule them in a calendar that also includes requests to participate in editorial board meetings and interviews for profiles and television programs.”’

“It’s remarkable how easily Congressman Kuhl has forgotten that the residents of Steuben County – not the TV stations or newspapers – are among those he was elected to serve,” said Carly Lindauer, state Democratic Committee spokeswoman.

Here’s Kuhl’s ad:

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