The AFL-CIO, which represents over 10.5 million members from 56 national and international labor unions, is on the radio taking shots as Senator Susan Collins.

The group, which has been a long-time friend to Democratic Congressman Tom Allen, and is now supporting his campaign to unseat Collins, is airing the ad in Portland and Bangor.  The ad essentially accuses Collins of saying one thing and doing another—a cookie cutter attack ad in a political campaign.

From tax breaks for big oil to opening up trade with China to accepting hundreds of thousands of dollars in contributions from health insurance companies, the AFL-CIO doesn’t let Collins off the hook for anything.  Read the full script of the radio ad here.

It may seem a bit early for third party ads like the AFL-CIO’s hitting the airwaves.  However, this ad might just be motivated by the third party ads attacking Tom Allen for his support of the Employee Free Choice Act, which opponents claim eliminates the secret ballot in elections to organize as a union.  Those ads have been on TV and radio for most of the summer.

It’s no surprise the Allen/Collins race is getting bloody and starting early.  In a nationally watched election that could deliver the Democrats another Senate seat in the U.S. Congress in November, this type of activity from outside groups not associated with either candidate is ordinary. 

It will be interesting to see who wins the battle of the third party ads.  It’s already clear who the losers are: the people of Maine enduring an onslaught of attacks with over 70 days until Election Day.