Chabot upset over latest Cranley radio ad - UPDATED

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Cincinnati Mayor Mark Mallory stumps for Democrat John Cranley in Cranley's latest radio ad, attacking Republican Rep. Steve Chabot for not joining him in signing a pledge to uphold the Voting Rights Act.

There's only one problem: Chabot held 12 hearings this year over the re-authorization of VRA, sheperded the bill through the House, and joined nationl civil rights leaders at the White House when the bill was signed into law earlier this year, so it can hardly be said that he doesn't support it.

His campaign is furious. Here's what they had to say in a news release e-mailed to reporters this morning: "John Cranley has broken his word and is again making false, misleading attacks about Congressman Chabot's work to renew the landmark Voting Rights Act. ... This is the second time that Cranley has lied about Congressman Chabot's support for the Voting Rights Act."

CLICK HERE to read a Cincinnati Post story about the first mistake where Cranley's spokesman Elliott Ruther acknowledged that the campaign goofed: "We'll make sure it doesn't happen again,'' he said at the time.

Chabot spokeswoman Jessica Towhey: "John Cranley should take a pledge to stop lying about the Voting Rights Act."

TEXT OF THE RADIO AD:

Mallory: "… this is a choice between the failed policies of George Bush and Steve Chabot. For a new direction for Ohio and America, I'm supporting my friend John Cranley because I know he can provide the kind of change we so desperately need. John took a pledge to protect the Voting Rights Act and to stand up for our civil rights. John invited Steve Chabot to join him in signing that pledge and you know what? We're still waiting. In fact, Mr. Chabot has run campaign ads attacking our city and attempting to (unintelligible) and that is just wrong. John is a unifying voice and he will work to create new jobs. He'll vote to raise the minimum wage. And he'll work the end the war in Iraq. This election is too important not to vote. Please join me, Mayor Mark Mallory, in helping elect John Cranley to Congress."

Cranley: "I'm John Cranley and I'm running for Congress. I approve this message because a time for change is now."

UPDATE: Cranley's campaign spokesman Elliott Ruther responds via e-mail:

"This is ridiculous. Steve Chabot has spent millions of dollars on tv, radio, billboards, mailers, direct mail and flyers attacking John Cranley with lies on social security, illegal immigration, Section 8, taxes, spending, pension, crime, population loss and more.

"However, it is true that Steve Chabot has refused to sign the John Cranley Voting Rights Pledge. Like the ad says, the Cranley pledge is to protect the Voting Rights Act and to stand up for civil rights by making it easier for all Americans to vote AND to fight against voter suppression schemes like the one Steve Chabot voted for repeatedly in 2005 that blocks nonprofits from using their own funding for nonpartisan voter registration if they wish to receive federal funding.

"Despite outreach, Chabot has refused to reverse his position on gagging non-profits who get federal help from non-partisan voting activities and sign the Voting Rights pledge. "

UPDATE UPDATE: Cranley responds via phone call to The Enquirer:

"He's trying to make it seem like we are saying something that we're not. Our pledge is much broader than he is making it out to be," Cranley said, adding that Chabot's vote against allowing non-profits to engage in get-out-the-vote activities, in his opinion, supresses the vote.

"Chabot is part of this overall nationwide effort, in my opinion, that is taking a step backward in terms of encouraging people to vote. You can't be for voting rights and vote supression at the same time," he said.

"I still encourage him to sign the pledge," he added.