New Northup radio and TV ads assail Yarmuth for bailout vote

In Kentucky's 3rd Congressional district race, the campaign of former U.S. Rep. Anne Northup (R-Louisville) is pouncing on incumbent U.S. Rep. John Yarmuth's (D-Louisville) recent vote for the $700 billion government bailout of floundering financial institutions with a new advertising effort.

Northup's campaign went up today on radio and television with spots hitting Yarmuth on his Friday vote - a reversal from his opposition to the package last Monday.

The television spot references the economic slowdown and then swings at Yarmuth.

"Job losses, an economy in meltdown, a nation already $10 trillion in debt," says a narrator. "Now, John Yarmuth votes to bailout Wall Street."

"But for Yarmuth, $700 billion for Wall Street CEO's is just a start," it continues. "Yarmuth says there are 50 government programs he wants to spend more money on. Maybe that's why Yarmuth supports higher taxes on Louisville families and small businesses."

The ad cites a late-September radio broadcast on Louisville's WHAS radio to back up its claim about Yarmuth's support of the "50 government programs" in question.

Northup's campaign supports the charge that Yarmuth supports "higher taxes" by referencing Yarmuth's vote against killing the Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation Tax Act of 2008 - which later passed in the U.S. House - and the 2009 Budget Resolution in the House.

The energy bill in question created tax credits for some using alternative energy but also rolled back tax deductions for oil companies and individuals making income from oil production.

That bill has yet to pass the Senate.

The radio incarnation of the Northup camp's two-pronged attack on Yarmuth ads a few twists. A minute long spot, the ad also includes a recording of Yarmuth apparently commenting on the bailout bill.

"This is not a great bill," says Yarmuth in the spot. "I'm not sure it can work."

"And Yarmuth still voted for it?" asks the narrator.

Yarmuth opposed the initial version of the bailout bill, which failed in the U.S. House last Monday. A version brought before the House Friday passed.

Last week, Yarmuth released a letter explaining his vote on the controversial legislation.

"I was faced with two awful choices: voting for a bill that I hate or doing nothing to stop an economic meltdown that would lead to massive job loss in Louisville and throughout the country," wrote Yarmuth. "I am angry that this is the only option we were given. However, I voted for it in order to stave off economic catastrophe-not for CEO's on Wall Street about whom I could not care less, but for the people of our streets in Louisville."

A spokesperson from Yarmuth's office said last week the Louisville Congressman changed his vote after meeting with small business owners and representatives from Louisville's Ford plant who suggested some relief measure was necessary.

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