Typically, a challenger needs to run a somewhat negative campaign in order to convince voters to reject the incumbent. The incumbent normally is content to ignore the challenger and run on his or her record of service.

In Iowa’s third Congressional district, a strange role reversal is underway, in which Ed Fallon is calling on Leonard Boswell’s campaign to “stop the negative attacks.”

Last week I posted the text of an e-mail from Boswell, which charged that Fallon is “no Democrat” and “has never acted in the best interest of our party.”

On March 24, Fallon issued a press release and a letter to his supporters responding to the attacks from the Boswell camp. It once again addresses Fallon’s support for Ralph Nader in 2000, and also responds to claims that Fallon’s work for I’M for Iowa has run afoul of ethical or campaign finance rules.

I am working on another post about the financing of the Boswell and Fallon campaigns, and will write more about allegations surrounding Fallon and I’M for Iowa in the near future.

For now, I will note that the Boswell campaign probably would not have stepped up the attacks on Fallon in March if their internal polling and voter contacts were encouraging. (I got a call from a field organizer for Boswell during the first week of March, and my husband got a call from an organizer for Boswell this past week.)

An incumbent who is not worried doesn’t go after a challenger this way two months before the primary.

When the first public poll of this race is released, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Fallon within striking distance of Boswell.

The full text of Fallon’s press release of March 24 is after the jump.

March 24, 2008

Fallon to Boswell:

“Stop negative attacks and stick to the issues.”

Today, Ed Fallon again challenged his opponent, Leonard Boswell, to end his negative attacks and stick to the issues.

“Iowans want campaigns focused on issues and facts, not innuendo and negativity,” said Fallon. “Unfortunately, Congressman Boswell’s campaign is opting for the latter, with allegations that I am a ‘bad’ Democrat and even unethical. People are sick of this stuff. Let’s have an open, fact-based discussion of the real issues.”

Over the years, Fallon has apologized repeatedly for his ‘Nader mistake.’

“During the past 15 years, I have campaigned for dozens of progressive Democrats, and in 2004, I wrote to Ralph Nader asking him not to run for president. Yes, my support for Nader in 2000 was a mistake,” said Fallon. “But what about Congressman Boswell’s mistakes, such as voting for funding for the Iraq War repeatedly, for the PATRIOT Act, for warrantless surveillance, for a punitive bankruptcy bill, for tax breaks for oil and gas companies? On these and so many other issues Leonard Boswell has voted against Democratic priorities, the very priorities that I have fought for these past 20 years. If he feels those votes were mistakes, then let’s have an apology. If he feels they were right, then let’s have a debate.”

A recent e-mail sent by Boswell’s campaign also alleged that Fallon has acted unethically in his work with I’M for Iowa. “That’s absurd,” said Fallon. “I’M for Iowa is simply an organization that enables me to consult with activist across the state on a wide range of issues.”

“Every campaign I’ve ever run has been run without PAC and lobbyist money. The focus of my life has been to live simply so I can devote my time and energy to advocating for people in need. Just as Republicans attacked John Kerry in 2004 for his military service, Boswell is trying to attack me on my strength as a fighter for clean, accountable government.”

Fallon concluded, saying, “The Democratic Party is changing. New energy at the grassroots promises to restore true democratic principles to our government. I’ve got a lot of energy and passion for reform – including campaign finance, health care, and the environment – and I’m eager to put my commitment to public service to work in Washington, DC.”