Democrats' radio ad blitz targets Peter King

 

Congressional Democrats launched a radio and robo-call blitz Monday against U.S. Rep. Peter King, but King said he's not concerned about the broadsides.

Meanwhile yesterday, King's re-election campaign released a Web video of King soliciting for a fundraising event in which he declares, "I can't count on Newsday. In fact, Newsday is the enemy."

King said his comment was about "the institution" of Newsday.

Newsday editor John Mancini said last night that "Newsday is not in the business of supporting or opposing any politicians in our news pages."

The Democrats' radio ads, paid for by the party's Congressional Campaign Committee, blast King (R-Seaford) for voting against President Barack Obama's economic recovery package earlier this year and urge listeners to "Tell King to put New York first."

King, who said he will decide by Labor Day whether to challenge Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) or seek a 10th term in Congress, called the ads a waste.

"I assume they must have an awful lot of money if they're wasting it on me," King said. "They're taking shots at me because I've been so outspoken in criticizing the president. It's good for me because it's helped me raise money."

Indeed, DCCC spokesman Shripal Shah criticized King for voting against Obama's recovery bill.

"Peter King can expect a very difficult re-election to the House," he said.

King won 64 percent of the vote in November, easily defeating Democrat Graham Long of Franklin Square. No Democrat has come within 10 percentage points of defeating King since 1992, when he defeated investment banker Stephen Orlins in his first Congressional race.

Shah declined to say how much the DCCC is spending on the radio ads and robo-calls or how often they will be heard.