U.S. Rep. Ed Case has released a new television commercial raising doubts about U.S. Sen. Daniel Akaka's effectiveness, the first TV ad in which Case has specifically criticized Akaka in their Democratic primary for Senate.

The 30-second spot questions what Akaka has accomplished in 30 years in Congress and notes that Time magazine and Congress.org rate Akaka as among the worst and least influential senators. The ad is running during what could be an important week in the primary, as Case and Akaka meet on Thursday night in their only scheduled debate.

"It's time to narrow the issues in the campaign," Case said yesterday. "I think the point is he's been in Congress for 30 years and clearly if this is where he is after 30 years it's time to move on."

Akaka's campaign issued a statement yesterday claiming the ad does not fully describe the senator's rating from Congress.org, a nonpartisan Web site that provides rankings on the House and Senate.

The Web site's power rankings rate lawmakers based on their position, influence and legislative activity. Akaka was ranked 71st out of 99 senators overall last year — 62nd for position, 97th for influence, and 30th for legislative activity. The rankings do not include one senator who left the chamber last year.

Case's ad only mentions the poor rating the senator received for influence.

Case was ranked 410th out of 438 representatives overall — 373rd for position, 426th for influence, and 418th for legislation. There are 435 House members, but one seat was vacant last year and the rankings include nonvoting delegates.

Akaka said yesterday that people should look more at results than rankings. "I would say that these ratings are based on the interests of that group," he said.

Reach Derrick DePledge at ddepledge@honoluluadvertiser.com.