Republican candidate for U.S. Senate Linda McMahon, left, shakes hands with Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate Chris Murphy at the end of a live televised debate in Rocky Hill, Conn., Sunday, Oct. 7, 2012. Democrats are counting on their New England friends to help them pick up Republican-held Senate seats on Nov. 6 and construct a barrier against losses in Nebraska and elsewhere that could erase their majority. Republican hopes of swiping the seat in Connecticut are fading. Murphy has steadied his campaign against McMahon, who spent $50 million on an unsuccessful bid in 2010 and $42.6 million and counting this year. McMahon's less-than-stellar debate performances and the state's Democratic tilt have undercut the GOP candidate's prospects. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill, File)
New England shapes up as Dem firewall for Senate
Republican candidate for U.S. Senate Linda McMahon, left, shakes hands with Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate Chris Murphy at the end of a live televised debate in Rocky Hill, Conn., Sunday, Oct. 7, 2012. Democrats are counting on their New England friends to help them pick up Republican-held Senate seats on Nov. 6 and construct a barrier against losses in Nebraska and elsewhere that could erase their majority. Republican hopes of swiping the seat in Connecticut are fading. Murphy has steadied his campaign against McMahon, who spent $50 million on an unsuccessful bid in 2010 and $42.6 million and counting this year. McMahon's less-than-stellar debate performances and the state's Democratic tilt have undercut the GOP candidate's prospects. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill, File)
By ANDREW MIGA
Associated Press /
October 28, 2012
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Determined to change the trajectory of the race, Democrats released an ad of the state’s two Republican senators delivering effusive testimonials about Carmona at his 2002 Senate confirmation hearing for U.S. surgeon general in President George W. Bush’s administration.
‘‘One might call him a man for all seasons,’’ says Sen. Jon Kyl.
‘‘He’s extraordinarily, perhaps uniquely qualified, to address the need of our nation,’’ Sen. John McCain says.
Republicans have countered with ads in Arizona, Indiana, Montana and North Dakota, linking the Democratic candidates to Obama and in some cases, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, with images of the president and California Democrat.
‘‘Once Heidi was different, but now she’s fighting for Obama not us,’’ says a commercial about North Dakota’s Heidi Heitkamp, who is in a close race with Rep. Rick Berg.
The GOP spot against Carmona calls him Obama’s rubber stamp. The one against Donnelly says a vote for him is a vote for the Obama-Pelosi agenda. ‘‘Say no to this yes man,’’ the ad says.
In Missouri, the once vulnerable Democratic Sen. Claire McCaskill is trying to hold onto her seat against Rep. Todd Akin, who severely damaged his candidacy when he said women’s bodies can avoid pregnancy in cases of ‘‘legitimate rape.’’ National Republicans, including Romney, abandoned Akin, but conservatives and evangelicals still stand behind his candidacy.
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Associated Press writer Steve LeBlanc in Boston contributed to this report.
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