After A Week Of Calling On McGrath to Pull Negative Advertising, McConnell Campaign Responds
LOUISVILLE, Kentucky — Team Mitch today launched a new statewide television ad campaign highlighting Senator Mitch McConnell’s leadership on delivering relief to Kentucky’s families, workers, and job creators impacted by the coronavirus outbreak. In addition, the new add, “Contrast,” puts the spotlight on how failed liberal politician Amy McGrath is using this public health crisis to spread lies and fake news about Senator McConnell’s coronavirus relief efforts.
“While Senator McConnell leads efforts to pass bipartisan coronavirus relief legislation, Amy McGrath chooses to deceive voters with false, negative ads,” said McConnell Senate Committee campaign manager Kevin Golden. “It’s been one week since the President of the United States declared a national emergency, but Amy McGrath refuses to stop her non-stop lying and false attacks on Senator McConnell’s record. In the face of a public health crisis, the Commonwealth needs a leader like Senator McConnell who works around-the-clock to deliver for families and small businesses in their time of need — not an extreme liberal like McGrath who views a national emergency as an opportunity push her radical agenda.”
Click here to watch “Contrast.”
SCRIPT:
ANNOUNCER: A deadly virus sweeps America, costing lives and jobs.
ANNOUNCER: Our nation’s leaders are putting partisanship aside.
ANNOUNCER: And Kentucky’s Mitch McConnell is at the center of the battle to rush aid to Americans.
ANNOUNCER: Amy McGrath uses this crisis, spending millions on false, partisan attacks.
ANNOUNCER: McGrath fuels fear with lies even liberal newspapers call false.
ANNOUNCER: But while Amy McGrath lies, Mitch McConnell leads.
MITCH MCCONNELL: I’m Mitch McConnell, and I approve this message.
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BACKGROUND:
Since August 2019, Amy McGrath has spent more than $6.4 million on media buys, including more than $4.4 million on Kentucky and national TV as well as $1.7 million on digital.
The Washington Post corrected an opinion piece published by the paper on March 17, 2020. Despite the correction, Amy McGrath continued to use the talking point to falsely attack Senator McConnell’s leadership on passing coronavirus relief legislation. (Twitter, Amy McGrath, 3/18/2020)
- “An earlier version of this article incorrectly said that Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) delayed a vote on the House’s coronavirus relief package. The bill was delayed due to procedural issues in the House and a vote on an amendment sought by Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.). This version has been updated.” (Washington Post correction, 3/17/2020)
- “Saying [McConnell] delayed the vote as @AmyMcGrathKY and others suggest on a #coronavirus bill is just flatly incorrect. Sorry.” (Twitter, the Courier Journal’s Phillip Bailey, 3/18/2020)
- “Amy McGrath, who is running to unseat Sen. Mitch McConnell (R., Ky.), criticized McConnell Tuesday using a false attack from a Washington Post opinion writer. […] McGrath has not deleted the tweet that trumpets Rubin’s initial claim” (Washington Free Beacon, 3/18/2020)
- “Rubin’s characterization of McConnell turned out not to be accurate.” (Fox News, 3/19/2020)
“McConnell takes reins of third coronavirus bill” (The Hill, 3/18/2020)
- “Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell unveiled a sweeping economic rescue plan Thursday to pump $1,200 direct checks to taxpayers, $300 billion for small businesses to keep idled workers on payroll and $208 billion in loans to airlines and other industries.” (Associated Press, 3/20/2020)
- “Sen. Mitch McConnell Introduces Coronavirus Relief Package With Cash Payments” (NPR, 3/19/2020)
After receiving the final, House-passed legislation on Tuesday, March 17, Senator Mitch McConnell ensured the Senate swiftly passed the phase two coronavirus relief package. (Axios, 3/18/2020)
- “Trump signs coronavirus relief measure ensuring paid sick, emergency leave” (ABC News, 3/18/2020)
- “The Senate had earlier Wednesday approved the House-passed bill. The move allowed the upper chamber to devote its full attention to passing the next relief package in response to the coronavirus crisis. […] After an initial vote last week, the House approved a set of changes to the legislation on Monday, clearing the path for the Senate to take it up this week.” (CNN, 3/19/2020)