News

Sen. Kerry's opponent blasts lawmaker with biting ad in Boston Globe

18th April 2008

By Betsy Rothstein

Happy nine-year anniversary, Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.) — or not.

A brand new ad debuted this past Monday in The Boston Globe and nine other newspapers across Massachusetts from Republican opponent Jim Ogonowski.

“We want to recognize you for being one of the most ineffective legislators in the U.S. Senate,” the ad states, continuing with the phrase, “Go celebrate like it’s 1999.” It notes Kerry has not been the lead sponsor on a bill that has become law since 1999.

Readers can cut out a coupon that reads: “Happy Anniversary: No doubt this is a special day for you. We’ll remember your many accomplishments on November 4th.”

Go online and you’ll find that Ogonowski’s website has even more scathing things to say about Kerry. To the accompaniment of island beach music, visitors may click on a button to “Contribute to retire John Kerry.”

While Ogonowski’s ad may be unconventional, his story is serious. He’s a retired Air Force lieutenant whose brother had originally piloted one of the planes that would crash into the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001.

Ogonowski ran for Congress this fall in a special election to replace Rep. Marty Meehan (D-Mass.); Democrat Niki Tsongas beat him by six points.

A memo released by the Kerry campaign disputes Ogonowski’s assertions and lists 13 pieces of legislation that the senator has passed, several after 1999.

“NRSC must stand for ‘nobody really shows competence,’ wrote Kerry spokesman David Wade in an e-mail Wednesday. “When people get their facts this wrong they usually lose on the first round of ‘Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader.’ John Kerry was ranked the twelfth most powerful Senator. … No wonder our Democratic Majority in the Senate will grow in November.”

But his opponent says it isn’t so.

“The fact of the matter is John Kerry has been in Congress for 24 years and has only sponsored eight pieces of legislation,” Ogonowksi told ITK Wednesday morning.

“He’s listed bills he voted for, but … he wasn’t the lead sponsor of them.”

As of Thursday, Ogonowksi has $186,962 on hand; Kerry has $9.1 million.