AZ-Sen: Kyl's At It Again

Last week I diaried about a Jon Kyl commercial (R-AZ), where the Senator tries to distance himself from Bush (and his own record) by stating he's a strong advocate for Social Security. He also reminds us he didn't support W's energy plan because it's "good for oil companies but a lousy deal for the public." It should come as no surprise, as I documented by highlighting his record, that he's consistently voted against Social Security and for Big Oil. Historically, Kyl is rated about as low as you can get by senior watchdog groups, and about as high as you can get by energy interests.

He's at it again. You can check his recent ad here, but the eye-opener transcript follows the flip.

Kyl: The issue of our times is security. Deadly terrorists pose a mortal threat to our nation. They reject tolerance, crush decent, and justify murder in pursuit of political power. [They] imprison women in their homes, and even deny young girls a chance to go to school.

Now, I could go on ad nauseum about how "reject tolerance" and "crush decent" are a pretty fair description of Kyl's party and his president. But notice how, as in the earlier commercial, Kyl tries to connect himself to causes he could care less about (because he's got little else). Here it's his concern for "security," which might lead one to believe he's a strong advocate for our fighting men and women. And then his heartfelt concern for women and girls. Similar to his two-faced comments about Social Security and energy in the previous ad, his voting record here belies any such concerns. Let's just jump right into the record, shall we? And I should note, I've only gone back a few years - track this guy for a decade and you'll need your Pepto-Bismol.

On veterans issues:

S2725 (2006), "Tax Rate Extension Amendment," to support health care for veterans. Kyl: NO

S2020 (2005), "Funding for Veterans," for counseling, mental health programs, and related services for vets. Kyl: NO

S1937 (2005), "Health Care for Vets," self-explanatory. Kyl: NO

How `bout his strong support for women's issues?

S403 (2006), "Teen Pregnancy Education," self-explanatory. Kyl: NO

S244 (2005), "Unintended Pregnancy," funding to expand access to preventative health care services that reduce unintended pregnancies. Kyl: NO

S3 (2003), "Partial-Birth Abortion," to prohibit it. Kyl: YES.

S625 (2000), "Violent Protestors," prevents violent abortion clinic protestors from filing for bankruptcy to avoid paying civil damages or criminal penalties. Kyl: NO

S2549 (2000), "Military Abortions," killed program that allowed servicewomen to use military facilities for abortions. Kyl: YES.

Yes, he's been such a huge supporter of veterans' and women's issues. I can't wait for his next ad - the one saying how he's been tough on the pharmaceutical companies!

Just one last question, Senator: That place you talk about? The one that imprisons women and doesn't allow girls an education? I can certainly see why you were a cheerleader for Bush's Iraq invasion. Oh, wait, wrong country. Can you say Saudi Arabia?