Northup's camp on Yarmuth: 'He is flat wrong'

The campaign of former U.S. Rep. Anne Northup (R-Louisville) fired back today at comments from its opponent, U.S. Rep. John Yarmuth (D-Louisville), made to PolitickerKY.com earlier this week.

“I understand how frustrating and difficult it is for John to comprehend that he is ever wrong about anything,” said Ted Jackson, Northup’s spokesperson. “At this time, he is flat wrong.”

Jackson was responding to remarks by Yarmuth, in which the freshman Democrat doubted Republicans would benefit from the gas price issue.

"I understand why the Republicans think they have that issue, but the vast majority of the American people blame George Bush and the oil companies for high gas prices," Yarmuth told PolitickerKY.com on Wednesday. "So, I think that is an issue that ultimately will not help them."

“Voters blame Congress for doing nothing to solve the energy crisis,” responded Jackson today. “John Yarmuth has voted five times against drilling and he will be held accountable on Election Day.”

Yarmuth has been continually targeted by Northup’s campaign for voting against expanded domestic oil exploration, including votes against opening up the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge for oil drilling.

Amid reports that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is encouraging Democrats in vulnerable districts to act independently on drilling, Jackson speculated Yarmuth may do so.

“Watch for John and his friend Nancy Pelosi to flip on drilling,” said Jackson.

Instead of supporting expanded drilling in ANWR and the outer continental shelf, Yarmuth has attacked energy speculators and advocated for two “use it or lose it” bills on the floor of Congress that would require oil companies to drill on land upon which they already hold leases.

Recent polling shows Yarmuth ten points up on Northup in the rematch of their 2006 race in the 3rd Congressional District.