Rep. Walter Jones Jr. (R) received what may have been an unwelcome pat on the back this week from the American Civil Liberties Union, which sponsored ads on local conservative radio stations praising Jones’ opposition to White House-backed policies on warrantless wiretapping.

Jones’ deeply conservative district gave President Bush 68 percent of the vote in 2004. Hardly a target from the left, Jones faces tough opposition in the Tar Heel State’s May 6 primary from conservative Onslow County Commissioner Joe McLaughlin, who has criticized Jones’ about-face on the Iraq War and other core Republican issues.

“Obviously all of Walter Jones’ work on behalf of the ‘Blame America First’ crowd is paying off as the ultra-left continues to pour money into our district to support their new found friend,” McLaughlin said in a statement.
— Matthew Murray