The Minneapolis Star Tribune accuses the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee of running a “highly deceptive ad” that “takes one vote out of context to distort congressional candidate Michele Bachmann’s record on crime.” The 30-second ad, which has been airing for about a week, invites voters to infer that Bachmann opposed longer sentences for repeat sex offenders when Bachmann actually voted for tougher sentences. Republican Bachmann and Democrat Patty Wetterling are locked in a close race for an open seat.
Bachmann voted in 2004 again an omnibus bill on sex offenders, but the Star Tribune says “there is no fair or rational basis for asserting that Bachmann’s reasons for voting against the bill were that she opposed tougher sentences or more neighborhood notification.” Democratic spokesman Bill Burton said the ad is neither misleading nor deceptive. “Look, the bottom line is, she voted against the bill,” he said.