Mirror, Mirror On The Wall . . .

WHO'S THE BIGGEST TAXER OF THEM ALL?

THE LOBSTER IS BACK . . .

WITH CLAWS.

Nixon Accuses Hulshof of Supporting "The Largest Tax Hike in Missouri History"

HULSHOF CAMP: "Does Nixon Really Want To Talk Taxes?"

Accuses Nixon of Supporting 2 Largest Tax Hikes in the 1990s

In his latest television ad, Jay Nixon's campaign for Governor is attacking Congressman Kenny Hulshof for "wasteful" Washington spending and accusing him of supporting the "largest tax hike in Missouri history."

Yes, the lobster that was meant to symbolize earmarks --- and tormented Hulshof in the primary race with Sarah Steelman --- is back. But Nixon is not only targeting Hulshof on spending, he's attempting to flip the traditional tax issue on its head -- accusing the Republican in this race of supporting higher taxes.

"Does he really want to go there,?" responded Hulshof spokesperson Scott Baker Monday. "As a State Senator, Nixon voted time and again to raise an assortment of state taxes by well over $1 billion. You name it. Nixon supported it. This includes higher gas, income and sales taxes. He even supported a $456 million tax package that a Senate leader deemed "the biggest package that’s ever been voted through the Missouri General Assembly.'" Baker said in a statement.

Most recently, the Hulshof campaign is calling Nixon's support of expanding the S-CHIP program a "$71 billion dollar tax hike."

Meanwhile, the most recent Hulshof ad is the Republican campaign's most creative spot of the cycle. It accuses Nixon of backing the two largest tax increases in state history during the 1990s.

In its response the Nixon campaign focused its attention entirely on Hulshof's record. "Congressman Hulshof can't defend his Washington record because, quite frankly, these votes are indefensible," said spokesperson Oren Shur. "The Congressman voted for The Bridge to Nowhere, and the Woodstock Museum, and for deficits as far as the eye can see. In Washington, they just print money and then recklessly spend it. Here in Missouri, we balance our budgets," Shur added.

We're planning to **Truthwatch** these in the near future . . . but for now, which one is winning the ad wars?

PLUS: HULSHOF'S BEST AD YET