Democratic Congressman Leonard Boswell and his Republican challenger, Brad Zaun, are defending the attack ads each is running against the other this campaign season.

One ad criticizes Zaun’s call for personal responsibility on the part of flood victims who are getting federal grants. “You know, I have done what I was raised to do and that’s be responsible for the debts that you have and so many people are going through tough times right now. I’ve paid all my debts back and I think it’s unfortunate the way this campaign’s went,” Zaun said Friday on Iowa Public Television.

Boswell replied a few moments later: “If you’re going to go out and preach personal responsibility (and) say, ‘This is what you’ve got to do,’ well, you ought to be practicing it, but you ought to be sympathetic.” According to Boswell, Zaun had an unpaid medical bill that he didn’t settle until he decided to run for congress — and Boswell said while Zaun’s bill went unpaid, the cost of that care was borne by Iowans who paid their bills. 

During their joint appearance on Iowa Public Television, Zaun spoke directly to Boswell.  “I think that it is unfortunate that you’re making personal attacks. That’s all this campaign has been (about) and that’s all that’s come out of your campaign,” Zaun said. “…I just ask everybody to ask them one question when they go in the voter booth: Do you think this country’s headed inthe right direction? Because Congressman Boswell thinks we’re headed on the right path.”

One of Zaun’s ads criticizes Boswell for asserting the country is “headed on the right path.”  Boswell said during the “Iowa Press” program that he’s ready to defend the “hard decisions” he’s made, including his support of the economic stimulus package and the Wall Street bailout.

“Now, there’s lots yet to do. We all know that, but where we would have gone if we hadn’t have done some of the things we’ve done?” Boswell asked. “…Oh, it could have been much worse.”

The “Iowa Press” program will be rebroadcast Sunday morning at 11:30.