McMahon urges Conn. to split ticket for her, Obama

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — In a new ad, Republican Senate candidate Linda McMahon is edging away from her party, urging Connecticut voters to vote for her and Democratic President Barack Obama.

In the ad, several people say they will vote for Obama and McMahon, who is in a tight race with Democratic Rep. Chris Murphy for the seat held by retiring Sen. Joe Lieberman.

McMahon opposes Obama's health care legislation and has criticized him and Democrats for the weak economic recovery. Democrats are strong in Connecticut, holding the offices of governor, all five U.S. House seats and control both chambers of the General Assembly.

An Oct. 4 Quinnipiac University Poll shows Obama with a 12-percentage point lead over Republican challenger Mitt Romney.

The speakers in the ad say they will vote for McMahon on the Independent line.