Nevada Senate race rattles Michigan group

The battle between Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and Tea Party favorite Sharon Angle in Nevada has some political watchers in Michigan upset.

Reid released an advertisement Aug. 11 titled “Over the line.” The ad is narrated by Bill Ames, president of the Peace Officers Research Association of Nevada. During the ad, Angle’s voice is heard saying, “If Congress keeps going the way it is people are really looking towards those second amendment remedies.”

On the scene as Angle’s words are played are black and white images of Angle and members of the Southeast Michigan Volunteer Militia.

Ames comes back on screen and says, “It’s crazy, but what she’s actually talking about is armed resistance.”

Michael Lackomar, spokesman for SMVM, says it is Reid’s political machine that has it wrong.

“It’s no surprise that political ads are all about the ‘Instant Punch.’ Democrats are pounded in Republican ads and vice-versa. But when did we get to the point where pictures, facial pictures of law abiding citizens are used to scare voters?” Lackomar said. “Simply put, we are not an organization that seeks armed conflict with the government. But, Sen. Reid believes guns look scary and he wants to frighten Nevada voters into believing that unless they re-elect him, armed militants will line the streets.”

But a Reid spokesman downplayed the concerns expressed by SMVM.

“The purpose of the ad was never to imply that this particular group advocates armed insurrection, but simply uses images to highlight Sharron Angle’s dangerous remarks advocating ‘second amendment remedies’ if Congress doesn’t change,” wrote Zac Petkanas, deputy communications director of the Reid for Senate campaign.