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LaTourette Fires Off Salvo Against Tea Party

The ad shows failed Tea Party candidates for the U.S. Senate (image still from YouTube ad)
The ad shows failed Tea Party candidates for the U.S. Senate (image still from YouTube ad)

The 30-second ad was unveiled at a New York fundraiser earlier this week, then officially launched Wednesday.

It’s simply called, the "Senate Candidates Hall of Shame". It features Tea Party-backed candidates that lost their bids in 2012, including Missouri’s Todd Akin and Delaware hopeful Christie O’Donnell….

“If it’s a legitimate rape, uh…the female body has ways to try to shut that whole thing down," says Akin, as a large "LOST" stamp bursts across his face. The ad then switches to O'Donnell, who speaks her now infamous quote, "I’m not a witch.” before she too is smacked with a "LOST" stamp as well.

A woman's voice then asks incredulously, "WHAT were they thinking?"

LaTourette passed on running for a tenth term citing extremely partisan gridlock in Congress.

During the most recent government shutdown last month, LaTourette talked with ideastream about his Main Street Advocacy Group’s mission.

“We’re in the business of electing center right Republicans, and defending them against extremist right wing attacks in Republican primaries so we can send more people who say “yes” and help (House Speaker) John Boehner govern the country.”

Requests to several local Tea Party activists for comment were not answered in time for this story. But an October 2010 press release from the Portage County Ohio Tea Party shows they endorsed LaTourette, and he accepted.

But two years later, the Bainbridge Township Republican denounced the Tea Party, announced his retirement from office, and pledged to work for moderate conservative candidates.