RNC Lying About Feingold's Censure Resolution

Via FactCheck.org, we learn that the RNC has decided to run radio spots in Senator Russ Feingold's home state of Wisconsin that mislead the public into believing that his censure resolution is about stopping the surveillance of al Quaeda suspects.

Announcer: September 11th changed our country.
And it changed how America responds to terrorists.
President Bush is working to keep American families safe.
Passing the PATRIOT Act which has disrupted over one hundred and fifty terrorist threats and cells making sure the US is monitoring terrorist communications.
But some Democrats are working against these efforts to secure our country, opposing the PATRIOT Act and terrorist surveillance program.
Their leader is Russ Feingold.
Now Feingold and other Democrats want to censure the President. Publicly reprimanding President Bush for pursuing suspected members of al Qaeda.
Some Democrats are even calling for President Bush's impeachment.
Is this how Democrats plan to win the War on Terror?
Call Russ Feingold and ask him why he's more interested in censuring the President than protecting our freedom.
Paid for by the Republican National Committee not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee www.gop.com.
The Republican National Committee is responsible for the content of this advertising.

I hope the people of Wisconsin do call Feingold's office because that's how they'll learn the truth about all of this RNC fearmongering.

As FactCheck.org points out:

- Feingold's censure came about because he believes Bush broke the law by authorizing warrantless wiretaps of American citizens.
- "The radio ad says the PATRIOT Act "has disrupted over one hundred and fifty terrorist threats and cells," a claim that rests solely on statements from the Department of Justice and which hasn't been independently verified."
- Feingold on the PATRIOT ACT: "Feingold says on his website : "the [PATRIOT] Act contains many provisions that are needed to help protect our nation against terrorism," and says he voted against the act because "the bill went too far in allowing the government to obtain personal information about law-abiding Americans and in undermining constitutional rights and protections."

The RNC: already running negative ads against potential '08 presidential candidate, Russ Feingold. They know their party is tanking on national security issues and this is how they decide to fight back?

Predictable and pathetic.