Simmons comes under fire by CT Democrats

CT Democrats hit the airwaves this weekend attacking Rob Simmons for opposition to an extention to the military's health care program and his reversal on a vote that would slashed 53 million dollars from the base closure program (BRAC).

Seems like Simmons is not too happy about the criticism.

The narrator of the advertisements, Maj. Gen. John Havens, the retired adjutant general of the Missouri National Guard, criticizes the vote against the expanded care as “just wrong,” according to a transcript of the spot provided by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.

“Congressman Rob Simmons was among those who voted to deny these heroes the health care they deserve,” the ad says. “Tell Congressman Simmons he owes those who serve our nation more than Memorial Day speeches.”

Simmons responded with a sharply worded statement – mentioning his military service, including three years in combat in Vietnam – which said he considered it “offensive that the DCCC would engage in deceptive partisan attacks over Memorial Day.”

“This is a time for remembrance and reflection, for placing flags on gravestones, for patriotic parades – not divisive partisan rhetoric,” the statement said. “Shame on them for airing these trash advertisements on such a solemn occasion.”

A spokeswoman for the DCCC, Sarah Feinberg, responded in kind: “Shame on Rob Simmons for voting against health care for National Guard members and reservists,” she said.

As I stated in an earlier post, Simmons and Nancy Johnson have some serious explaining to do and they have no one but themselves to blame for the criticsm they now face. Their bowing down to the pressure from DeLay will come back to haunt them next year.