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IN-02: GOP To Chocola: You're On Your Own
Another quick word on that $40 million ad buy we referenced below that House strategists are planning: It looks as if one of the unlucky pols not getting a cash handout is Chris "the Count" Chocola, even though he's vulnerable and even though House Dem strategists are planning to spend tons of money to win the seat.
[T]he GOP has not reserved advertising time to aid Rep. Chris Chocola in Indiana even though Democrats plan to spend at least $700,000 to win the district. House Republicans have told Chocola that he must fend for himself, given his personal wealth and his ability to raise large amounts of money.
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What difference does this make?
Chocola DOES have the ability to raise large amounts of cash on his own. So, they are simply steering money to those Republicans who need it most.
The only thing this indicates is recognition on the part of the House Republican leadership that they don't have the financing advantage in this election that they had in past cycles, thus they need to be more discerning where they spend their money.
August 16, 2006 1:35 PM | Reply | Permalink
Wait a minute here. I thought Republicans liked to give money to rich people who don't need it. Is this a policy change?
--Dan
August 16, 2006 1:53 PM | Reply | Permalink
Maybe Chocola can invest the money from the GOP tax breaks for the rich into his campaign.
August 16, 2006 2:00 PM | Reply | Permalink
It's not just a matter of not having a fundraising advantage. It's an awareness that there are a lot of seats in play. Not just Connecticut, not just surprises like ID-01 and WY-AL; my guess is that the GOP's internal polling is telling them there are seats that could quite easily flip that NObody (not even the most optimistic Dems) would guess.
August 16, 2006 2:28 PM | Reply | Permalink