Roy Blunt's has a new TV ad, which omits the key fact that he's been in Congress for 14 years

GOP Congressman Roy Blunt, who is running for Senate in Missouri, has a new t.v. ad out this week. But, there's a glaring omission:

What Blunt doesn't say in his first statewide commercial: He is a member of Congress, and more -- for part of the time when Republicans had control, he was majority leader.

Why? Why would a GOPer not mention that he's served in Congress -- and as a leader for part of that time? Because Blunt is facing a real right-winger in the August 3rd GOP primary. Clearly, that's a cause for concern:

While the ad is directed at Democratic-controlled Washington, Republican insiders in the Show-Me State say the campaign's decision to go on the air this early is an effort to improve Blunt's soft GOP primary numbers against the underfunded and first-time statewide candidate Chuck Purgason.

Purgason, a state senator known in Jefferson City for his trademark bolo tie, publicized the endorsement of Joe "The Plumber" Wurzelbacher last week and snagged 18 percent against Blunt in March, according to a Public Policy Polling survey.

Purgason is not considered a serious threat, but top GOP-ers say the Blunt campaign wants to make certain the congressman nets more than 65 percent on Aug. 3.

Sharron Angle wasn't considered a serious threat, either.

There's more at play here. See, Roy has "gone DC." Big time. In fact, Purgason's radio ad portrays Blunt as a "Washington insider." That's like the kiss of death to teabaggers. But, there are facts to back it up. Blunt dumped his wife to marry a lobbyist. He's got close ties to Wall Street. Teabaggers are supposedly all about the debt and deficit, but, as a GOP leader, Roy helped take the U.S. from a surplus to a $1.2 trillion deficit. Plus, he considers swanky Georgetown, not Missouri, his home now.

Blunt's poll numbers have to be pretty "soft" for him to go on t.v. now. If "Joe the Plumber" is on board with Purgason, can Sarah Palin be far behind? Just wondering. Blunt symbolizes many of the things Palin purports to eschew. One thing is clear: Roy Blunt's got problems with his GOP base. And, Blunt must think the people of Missouri are really dumb if he thinks he can hide the fact that he's been in Congress for 14 years.