Responding to criticism of a NRCC mailer accusing opponent Diane Farrell of wanting to have "Coffee with the Taliban," embattled Republican Congressman Christopher Shays castigated his party's election committee and said it had "crossed the line." He called the ad "outrageous," "an insult to the intelligence of the Fourth District," and "garbage," and demanded the NRCC stop. Shays, who is in a tight race for reelection, has been under fire this week for calling Senator Ted Kennedy a "killer" and dismissing Abu Ghraib as just "a sex ring."

The full text of his statement is below the fold.

Shays Comment on NRCC Mailer

NORWALK, Oct 13 - Congressman Christopher Shays (R-CT) issued the following statement about the recent NRCC mailer linking Diane Farrell to a group supportive of having talks with the Taliban:

“Recently, the NRCC sent an outrageous mailer to the homes of Fourth District residents claiming she is supported by a group sympathetic to the Taliban. The NRCC has crossed the line.

“I have always been against these political attack ads, whether they are from the Democrat Party or Republican Party. They are an insult to the intelligence of residents of the Fourth District.

“These ads have to stop. I call on the NRCC to put an end to sending this type of garbage to Fourth District mailboxes.

“My opponent’s party and shadow organizations working on her behalf have made negative, misleading and outrageous charges against me for three years and she has said nothing about them. That is the difference between my opponent and me.

“I put forward a schedule of 11 debates with my opponent because I want this to be a race about issues and the legitimate differences between us. I look forward to the remaining debates and interacting with voters throughout the Fourth District.”