Dems tag Hackett on taxes

WASHINGTON – The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee is up with its first television advertisement today taking aim at Republican Chris Hackett.

At issue is Hackett’s tax payment history.

“We all make mistakes, it happens,” an announcer says at the outset of the 30-second spot. “But take Chris Hackett. Sure his businesses didn’t pay taxes once. Well twice…that three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine times. OK, nine times he’s had to be chased down for unpaid taxes. But look, he’s paid back taxes-once he was running for Congress. Mistakes happen. Let’s just make sure they don’t happen in this election.”

Hackett, a staffing company executive, is challenging 10th District incumbent U.S. Rep. Chris Carney (D-Dimock Township), a first term Democrat. Republicans have argued that Carney’s record is out-of-step with the northeast Pennsylvania-area district, which has traditionally trended conservative.

Ken Spain, a spokesman for the National Republican Congressional Committee, suggested the ad was a sign that Democrats were on the defensive.

"It sounds like Chris Carney and the DCCC are lying about Chris Hackett's record because Pennsylvania voters are quickly finding out that he is more liberal than Barack Obama on issues like taxes, spending, and even abortion," said Spain.

The DCCC did not provide details on the ad buy.