Dem opponent: Fla. rep’s attacks ‘pathetic’

Florida Democrat Gwen Graham is out with a new ad describing recent attacks by Rep. Steve Southerland (R) as “frantic and pathetic.”

{mosads}The 30-second spot, titled “Focused,” accuses the incumbent of “falsely attacking” Graham on national security while she “stays focused on attacking” the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS).

“A wife and mother of three, Gwen Graham says the president and Congress were too slow protecting our families from the ISIS threat,” a narrator says. “The Graham approach: aggressive airstrikes in Syria and Iraq.”

The narrator adds that Graham agrees with Sen. Bill Nelson (D-Fla.) that U.S. special forces should be used to take out members of the terror group “where they hide.”

“That’s leadership. That’s Gwen Graham,” the narrator states.

The new spot comes a day after Southerland’s campaign released an ad charging Graham is not up to the challenge of securing America’s borders or confronting ISIS.

“America is not secure,” a female announcer states over video of militants burning an American flag. “Terrorism. Open Borders. We just can’t trust Obama, Pelosi and Gwen Graham to protect us.”

She states that Southerland is “fighting to secure our borders and voted for military action to defeat ISIS,” referring to the vote lawmakers took shortly before leaving for recess that granted the president the authority to train and equip moderate Syrian rebels.

“Make no mistake — our nation and way of life are under assault,” the announcer says. “Protect our families. Protect our future. Reelect Steve Southerland to Congress.”