© 2024 Louisville Public Media

Public Files:
89.3 WFPL · 90.5 WUOL-FM · 91.9 WFPK

For assistance accessing our public files, please contact info@lpm.org or call 502-814-6500
89.3 WFPL News | 90.5 WUOL Classical 91.9 WFPK Music | KyCIR Investigations
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
Stream: News Music Classical

Liberal Group Uses al-Qaeda Recruitment Video to Blast Mitch McConnell Over Gun Control

A liberal advocacy group is launching a controversial new ad targeting Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell and his opposition to gun control measure that uses an al-Qaeda recruitment video.Americans United for Changeis behind the 30-second spot, which features American-born al-Qaeda spokesman Adam Gadahn explaining how lax U.S. laws do not require background checks to obtain firearms.In the recruitment video, Gadahn calls on Muslims living in the United State to carry out acts of terror and that guns can easily be obtained at local conventions.The narrator goes on to explain McConnell is against background checks as part of aseries of proposed gun control measures in the Senate. He asks: "who does agree with Mitch?"Watch:In response, the McConnell campaign issued a blistering statement that claims the ad crosses the line.From McConnell campaign manager Jesse Benton: "These rabid partisan extremists have no interest in promoting what's right for Kentucky and they'll stop at nothing to attack its biggest advocate. Two months ago, a left-wing affiliated group attacked former Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao’s ethnicity because she is married to Senator Mitch McConnell. The left then made a secret, illegal recording of a private meeting at Senator McConnell’s campaign office and released it to a George Soros funded website. Today, a left-wing group is running commercials connecting the Republican Leader of the U.S. Senate to an Al Qaeda terrorist. To say these attacks are desperate and extreme would be an understatement. They are deplorable. The political left has proven they’ll stop at nothing to target people who disagree with them. Racist attacks on Mitch's family, illegal bugging, and connecting him with terrorists won’t stop him from fighting for the Second Amendment rights of law abiding Kentuckians."Predictably, the McConnell campaign has coupled Americans United with Progress Kentucky, a liberal super PAC at the center of leaked audio recordings of the GOP leader's campaign headquarters.UPDATE:In response to the McConnell campaign, Americans United spokesman Jeremy Fund defended the ad.He says the GOP leader makes no attempt to defend his opposition to expanding background checks for gun sales, and is trying to distract political observers."To be very clear: nothing in the ad says Senator McConnell pals around with terrorists—but we are saying the reckless policy he espouses benefits criminals and terrorists looking to get their hands on guns in America no questions asked, a point made straight from the horse’s mouth in that Al Qaeda recruitment video," he says."It is hard to imagine a more frightening example why the gun show loophole needs to be closed than that video – and it makes it even harder to understand why politicians like Sen. McConnell would not be willing to do everything possible to keep guns out of the hands of criminals—including would-be terrorists—and the dangerously mentally ill, as 90 percent of the American people want Congress to do."Funk also pointed out to WFPL that former Obama adviser David Axelrod criticized McConnell's argument against stricter background checks via Twitter.