In the waning days before the Republican primary, the remarkably disciplined McMahon campaign veered off message for a brief moment.
For weeks now, McMahon has essentially ignored GOP primary opponents Rob Simmons and Peter Schiff and focused with laser-like intensity on Democrat Richard Blumenthal.
But this morning, McMahon issued a press release slamming Simmons. "Rob Simmons is a desperate candidate,'' states the release. "And the telltale signs of desperation - erratic behavior, bad judgment, acrimony, reckless and misleading exaggerations - are on full display in the final days of the Connecticut Republican primary for U.S. Senate."
UPDATE: Ed Patru's press release isn't the only jab McMahon's people are throwing at Simmons. The campaign sent out a mailer a few days ago hitting Simmons on cap-and-trade and card-check.
"Rob Simmons' liberal policies could cost Connecticut,'' the flyer states. (Incidentially, Simmons repudiated his earlier support of both measures about six months ago and the McMahon campaign has already been smacked by the non-partisan FactCheck.org for twisting Simmons' positions.)
But heading into Tuesday's primary, McMahon's criticisms raises a larger question: What does she hope to gain by hitting Simmons? She leads him in the polls but if she emerges as the nominee, she'll have to win over his supporters and unite the party.
For his part, Simmons has indicated he will play the role of good Republican soldier, telling WNPR's John Dankosky earlier this week that he will support the Republican nominee.