Sen. John McCain (R., Ariz.) came to the defense of Republican Senate candidate and Iraq War veteran Joni Ernst on Tuesday after a Democratic mailer accused her of not supporting policies that combat terrorists.
The mailer from the NextGen Climate Action Committee, an activist group backed by billionaire environmentalist Tom Steyer, said Ernst opposed renewable energy policies that would limit U.S. dependence on foreign oil, and deprive terrorist groups of funds. However, Ernst has said that she supports programs such as the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) that mandates blending ethanol and biodiesel into U.S. fuels.
"American troops have spent years fighting terrorists overseas," the mailer says. "But politicians like Joni Ernst are undercutting the battle here at home."
McCain said it was "beyond offensive" that allies of Rep. Bruce Braley (D., Iowa), Ernst’s Democratic opponent, had impugned her commitment to defeating terrorists.
"I know first-hand that politics isn't bean bag, but there’s always been a line between simply playing rough, and being truly out of bounds," McCain said in a statement. "Congressman Braley’s special interest allies have crossed that line. Joni Ernst is a veteran who honorably commanded American soldiers in Iraq. It is beyond offensive that Congressman Braley’s special interest allies would attack her service and her commitment to her soldiers. Congressman Braley and his Washington allies are running the most negative campaign Iowa has ever seen. But this time they’ve gone too far. Congressman Braley should do the right and decent thing and immediately condemn this disgusting attack."