Rep. Kratovil touts healthcare opposition in first TV ad

Another endangered House Democrat is out with a campaign ad creating some separation from his party's leadership in Washington.

Freshman Rep. Frank Kratovil (D-Md.) is expected to face a strong GOP challenge in November. He defeated state Sen. Andy Harris (R) by less than 3,000 votes in 2008 and represents a district that Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) won with 59 percent of the vote in the most recent presidential election.

In the 30-second spot, Kratovil says he makes decisions based on "facts not politics," which is why he "voted against the three trillion dollar budget, the big bank bailout and against the healthcare bill."

"You see for me, it's not about Democrats or Republicans," Kratovil continues. "It's about commonsense and doing what's best for our families. Maybe that's why I'm ranked one of the most independent members of Congress."

Kratovil's ad follows a pattern of a number of incumbent Democrats running away from their party's leadership in Washington in their ad campaigns. Reps. Bobby Bright (D-Ala.), Jason Altmire (D-Pa.) and Joe Donnelly (D-Ind.) have released similar ads highlighting their votes against some Democratic priorities in Washington. 

Harris is running again in 2010, but faces a Republican primary challenge Sept. 14. Kratovil is unopposed on the Democratic side. The race is considered a toss-up in November.