ALASKANS FOR DON YOUNG, INC

2504 Fairbanks Street
Anchorage, AK 99503

For Release: July 19, 2008
Contact: Michael Anderson 907-382-9177

Rep. Young Responds to "Club for Lack of Growth in Alaska" Ads

Anchorage, Alaska – Alaskan Congressman Don Young released the following statement today in response to the Club for Growth's ad campaign: 

"It is no surprise that the 'Club for Lack of Growth in Alaska' is running ads to try to boost support for their candidate, Lt. Governor Parnell.  The Lt. Governor traveled to the East Coast specifically to pander to this anti-Alaskan organization, because it was willing to offer him badly needed campaign funds that he had been unable to raise from Alaskans.  

“I find it disturbing, however, that in support of their candidate they choose to mislead Alaskans by showing less than 15 seconds of footage of me at a Committee hearing, with statements taken completely out of context. 

"The comments shown in the ad were a tongue-in-cheek statement in response to Committee members unwilling to consider increased resource exploration.  

"As a resident of Ft. Yukon and also having traveled throughout the state this winter, I know how difficult life is for Alaskans, especially those in our rural communities.  I fully understand the difficult times facing Alaskans and continue to be a strong advocate for energy development in our state. They need greater access to resources, not greater taxes. That was my point. 

“Considering that these ads are a direct reflection on Mr. Parnell and his campaign, I respectfully suggest that he call for an end to this deliberate deception of Alaskans.  Attached you will find a copy of the letter I sent to Television statements statewide, urging them to reject these ads, which they are under no obligation to air. 

“This should be a campaign based on issues and who can best serve Alaskans, not on dirty tactics and misleading ads and certainly not one dictated by a group who cares more about their own agenda than about the people in our great state. 

“This is a group that led an unsuccessful Congressional attempt to eliminate $34 million in education funding for Alaska Native children, calling it an ‘earmark’.  The Lt. Governor has endorsed this group’s extreme agenda of cutting funding for Alaska communities and needed projects. 

"On June 26th I was the recipient of the Hero of the Taxpayer Award from Taxpayers for Common Sense, because I have a proven record of voting against tax increases.  The 'Club for Lack-of-Growth in Alaska' failed to provide context for my statements and in essence, lied to Alaskans.  The Lt. Governor is running ads of his own echoing that same dishonest accusation, which I find highly disturbing, since coordination between campaigns and groups like Club for Growth is illegal.”