Toomey ads focus on cops, guns

Pennsylvania U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey has unveiled two new TV ads that cast him as someone who supports cops and is tough on crime, but also supports reasonable gun regulations.

Toomey, who has plenty of campaign cash and no opposition in the April 26 Republican primary, can focus on building the kind of image he wants for the November election.

Both ads feature women speaking directly into the camera.

In the 30-second spot, “What’s Right,” Nancy Grogan of Wallingford says she’s a six-year “advocate for common sense gun policy” who admires “the courage Sen. Pat Toomey has shown to stand up and do what’s right.”

After the Sandy Hook killings, Toomey joined West Virginia U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin, a Democrat,  in advocating increased background checks for gun purchases, an idea that went nowhere in Congress.

The other 30-second spot, “Support,” features the wife of a police officer thanking Toomey for his support of law enforcement.

“When rioters destroyed American cities, Pat Toomey stood strong with police,” says the announcer, “and denounced the riots when others wouldn’t.”

Some Democrats charged that Toomey produced the ads in response to criticism of his refusal to consider a Supreme Court nominee from President Obama.

A Toomey aide, who said the ads were planned long ago, said they have nothing to do with the battle over the court nomination.