First At TPM: Grimes Pits Republicans Against McConnell On ‘Amnesty’

Kentucky Democratic Senatorial candidate Alison Lundergan Grimes speaks to a group of supporters during a political rally, Wednesday, Aug. 8, 2014, at the Hal Rogers Center in Hazard, Ky. (AP Photo/Timothy D. Easley)
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A new ad by Kentucky Democrat Alison Lundergan Grimes seeks to pit Republican supporters of immigration reform against Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), whose allies are attacking her for backing “amnesty.”

It comes in response to a spot by the pro-McConnell super PAC Kentucky Opportunity Coalition, in which a narrator says, “Alison Grimes, proud supporter of Obama’s amnesty plan.”

Grimes’ 36-second web ad splices video of Sens. John McCain (R-AZ) and Lindsey Graham (R-SC) touting their support for the same immigration bill. McCain insists, “This is not amnesty.” It quotes Glenn Kessler, a fact checker for the Washington Post, calling the Republican group’s attack “bizarre and hypocritical.”

McConnell, who voted against the Senate-passed immigration bill, has been cautious not to echo the “amnesty” attack from within his own campaign. Many Republicans are supportive of reform, but the issue has turned hot for GOP voters, particularly in the wake the unaccompanied minors crisis at the border.

Watch the Grimes ad here:

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