Dems Apparently Trying To Defeat Don Young's GOP Primary Challenger
Hmm, it looks like the DCCC is playing a bit dirty in the Alaska House race -- they're getting involved in the very contentious Republican primary, sending out mailers that are apparently designed to damage the chances of the candidate who seems like he'd be a stronger nominee.
According to the DCCC's FEC filings, these mailings officially go after both incumbent Representative Don Young and his primary challenger, Lt. Governor Sean Parnell. But the mailers do seem to go after Parnell a whole lot more than they do Young. Check out this example, which the Parnell campaign provided to us at our request. Click on the images to enlarge:
If the scandal-plagued Young wins this primary, the Democrats will essentially have a 99% chance of winning this seat in a deep-red state -- but a Parnell win would make the Republicans actually somewhat favored to hold on. So you can see why the Dems might want to throw some monkey wrenches into things in the final days of the primary.
Three more recent mailers, after the jump.
Click on the images to enlarge:
Heh. Rush Limbaugh tactics (vote Hillary) coming back to roost.
August 24, 2008 9:13 PM | Reply | Permalink
What's the parnell/stevens polling look like
August 24, 2008 9:35 PM | Reply | Permalink
this is a poll last taken on the Aug. 18th
Don Young (R-inc): 42 (43)
Sean Parnell (R): 44 (39)
Gabrielle LeDoux (R): 8 (10)
(MoE: ±5.7%)
theres room for improvement
got the poll McLaughlin & Associates
August 24, 2008 9:47 PM | Reply | Permalink
sorry I forgot to include stevens anyways, last time check stevens trailed. I find this race to be somewhat interesting, even though I could care less about Alaska
August 24, 2008 9:54 PM | Reply | Permalink
This is actually funny, wonder what would happen if these tactics were applied in the general election.
Video: McCain “Americans Won’t Pick Lettuce for $50/hr”
August 24, 2008 9:42 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'd typically express outrage, but then it's Don Young we're talking about. And since a Tijuana prison cell isn't an option, I'm down with the suspect tactics. Two wrongs making a right.
http://www.pufferfish.typepad.com/
August 24, 2008 9:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
Vote Quimby!
August 24, 2008 10:17 PM | Reply | Permalink
Meh, its not like it is at all odd. The Republicans did plenty of that during the Democratic primary, trying to make Hillary our nominee so they could tear her apart. They constantly attacked Obama, and said nothing about Hillary, or even praised her. Then you had people like Rush even trying to get Republicans to vote for her.
This crap in Alaska is childs play compared to what the Republicans generally do. I don't see anything wrong with what the Dems are doing. Democracy is democracy.
August 24, 2008 10:21 PM | Reply | Permalink
I've got absolutely no ethic qualms about the DCCC doing this -- but on a political level I wonder if Parnell will be able to use it to appeal to the core Republican primary electorate ("See, the Democrats are afraid of me and want to see Don Young nominated...). I think there is some political risk in having such visible Democratic fingerprints on these pieces.
That said, I hope it works...
August 24, 2008 11:52 PM | Reply | Permalink
Free speech! Pretty funny mailers. I hope we get a solid convention bounce down here in the lower 48. The Daily Gallup and MSM CNN show a tie. http://www.gallup.com/poll/109753/Gallup-Daily-McCain-Obama-Tied-45.aspx What gives? going into the convention kick-off, I hope we can spread the word about http://www.bop-o-rama.com We need to get more people to push McCain's number up. I hope it is not PUMA staging a mini protest at this poll.
August 25, 2008 3:51 AM | Reply | Permalink
(singing voice) "It's not the Mayor's fault that the stadium collapsed!"
August 25, 2008 11:50 AM | Reply | Permalink