Reality Check: GOP Ad Linking Collin Peterson To Nancy Pelosi
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – National Republicans are targeting Minnesota's 7th District with a barrage of last-minute TV ads.
That's where Democratic U.S. Representative Collin Peterson is facing off with Republican Torrey Westrom.
The GOP's latest strategy is linking Peterson to one of America's most unpopular Democrats, Nancy Pelosi.
But is that connection real?
The ad makes it seem like Democrat Collin Peterson votes in lockstep with Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, a Democrat Republicans love to hate.
"Peterson chose Pelosi. Peterson chose Pelosi. Peterson chose Pelosi," a recent ad states.
But it's just not true.
Peterson's record of voting with Democrats and Pelosi at 68 percent is so low, he could pass for a Republican.
And he's using his own ads to make sure voters in the conservative 7th District know it.
"I voted against the Wall Street bailouts, the Obama stimulus and his health care bill. And I fought the EPA every step of the way," Peterson said in a recent ad.
The Pelosi push is part of a national Republican strategy linking Democrats to their unpopular leaders.
Pelosi above all others.
It can be seen in Arizona, California and Florida.
Pelosi is a long-time target for Republicans because she is so unpopular. She has a 56 percent unfavorable rating.
Republican House Speaker John Boehner is even more unpopular at 60 percent unfavorable.
Despite her Democratic villain status, Pelosi is a fundraising juggernaut.
CNN reports Pelosi alone has raised more than $80 million for Democratic races this year, including for Collin Peterson.
That's Reality Check.
Pat says outside groups have poured 8-point-6 million dollars into the 7th District for television ads.
The race is said to be too close to call.
