Jeff Smith camp joins Barry camp in condemning Carnahan Ad

Press Release from Jeff Smith Campaign:

Jeff Smith Campaign Condemns Carnahan For False TV Ad

REAL DEMOCRATS STAND UP ALL THE TIME

“Russ Carnahan’s slogan is ‘A Real Democrat Makes A Difference.’ I believe that’s true, unfortunately, you have had to show up to make a difference,” said Jeff Smith campaign Communications Director Artie Harris. “Carnahan claims to have fought against concealed carry, but he didn’t bother to vote against it in March of 2003.

Russ Carnahan MISSED a critical vote against concealed carry bill HB 349 on March 6 of 2003. [St. Louis Post-Dispatch, 3/7/03]

Carnahan’s television ad polishes his record in the Missouri House and implies that he stands up and fights for progressive values such as common sense gun control. In fact, Carnahan’s attendance record in the Missouri House is spotty on crucial issues such as conceal and carry legislation that passed in 2003.

“Moreover, Russ Carnahan’s first television commercial contains false and misleading information that distorts his record and that of other candidates,” Harris said.

Carnahan’s ad claims that he is the only candidate in this race who voted against HB 1729 in 2002, which was a conceal carry bill. This is false. Joan Barry voted against HB 1729 on April 25th, 2002. [House Journal, 59th Day, 4/25/02]