A Night At The Congressional Races
Here's tonight's run-down on the Congressional races:
Dems Preparing For Major Offensive Against Bachmann
The DCCC now plans to spend $1 million against Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN) in the wake of her McCarthyite rant on Hardball, sensing that voters back home might end up turning against her extremism. A TV ad should be coming in the next few days. Meanwhile, the Cook Political Report has changed its rating on Bachmann, downgrading her by two whole positions from "Likely Republican" to "Tossup."
Democracy Corps: Congressional Dems Poised For Another Wave
A new set of polling from Democracy Corps, the strategy firm headed up by James Carville and Stan Greeberg, finds Democrats running strong in the 50 most-competitive House seats currently held by the GOP. Democrats lead 48%-46% in the full set of battleground district, and lead 51%-43% in the tier making up the most competitive seats of the 50. At the rate things are going, Democrats could pick up even more seats in the cycle right after they already enjoyed a wave -- a rare occurrence in politics.
Webb Goes To Mississippi For Musgrove
In a sign that national Democrats are taking the Mississippi Senate race very seriously, Jim Webb visited the state today to campaign for Dem candidate Ronnie Musgrove. This seat should normally be a no-go for the Dems, but polling recently has given Wicker only the narrowest of leads.
Poll: Hagan Up Seven Points In North Carolina
A new survey of North Carolina from Public Policy Polling (D) gives Senate candidate Kay Hagan (D) a 49%-42% lead over Sen. Elizabeth Dole (R), outside the ±2.8% margin of error. A week ago, Hagan had a narrower lead of 46%-44%.
Poll: Chambliss Up By Four In Georgia
A new Democracy Corps (D) poll gives Sen. Saxby Chambliss (R-GA) a four-point lead over Democratic challenger Jim Martin, the latest of many polls to show that the formerly-safe Chambliss is in the fight of his political life. The numbers: Chambliss 48%, Martin 44%.
Sununu Sticks With Social Security Privatization Stance
At a debate today in the New Hampshire Senate race, incumbent GOP Sen. John Sununu stood by his stance in favor of Social Security private accounts. "The word 'privatization' is usually used to scare people," Sununu said, explaining that he would still support a government-guaranteed minimum benefit in case the market were to crash again like it has now.
GOP Ad Types Out To Viewers: Shaheen Equals Higher Taxes
The NRSC has this new TV ad in the New Hampshire Senate race, using a novel format to warn voters that Democratic candidate Jeanne Shaheen, who leads Republican incumbent John Sununu, stands for higher taxes. The ad doesn't have an announcer -- other than the legally-required disclaimer that the the NRSC is responsible for the ad -- but instead has text being typed across the screen:
"Dear New Hampshire: If you vote for Jeanne Shaheen, you are voting to pay more in taxes," the screen warns. One has to wonder just how effect an ad can be that doesn't have any speech to explain its message, but instead relies entirely on TV viewers -- who are already being inundated with ads -- using the mental energy required to read the screen.
What goes around comes around.....
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/10/20/mccain-employing-gop-oper_n_136254.html
October 20, 2008 6:27 PM | Reply | Permalink
Kick the neo-McCarthyite to the curb. That's what I'm talkin' 'bout!
October 20, 2008 6:28 PM | Reply | Permalink
Oh, yeah, a Bachmann Backlash Tsunami! This ain't just gonna hurt the Republicans in Bachmann's congressional district. This baby's gonna be felt downticket nationwide!
October 20, 2008 6:29 PM | Reply | Permalink
That's fabulous news about No Blink Bachmann.
Hmmmm. Can campaign ads with a pic of her smooching W be far behind?
October 20, 2008 6:32 PM | Reply | Permalink
Thanks to DCCC. Finally, they see El Tinklenberg can pull this thing off. I am really excited about El.
October 20, 2008 7:00 PM | Reply | Permalink
That DC House poll is a nice chunk of gabagool for Nancy
October 20, 2008 7:17 PM | Reply | Permalink
Quote of the Day:
A Bachmann spokeswoman says, "We expect that the $2 million that they want to spend [on ads] now is all going to be negative. We have tried to run a very positive campaign."
From AP, http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/washington/AP-Minnesota-Congresswoman.html?_r=1&oref=slogin
Story also says that before Friday it took Tinklenberg a year to raise $1 million. Since Friday he's raised $740,000.
October 20, 2008 7:41 PM | Reply | Permalink
The sooner Congresswoman Himmler gets the boot, the better. Here in London, (UK), we watched her performance with our jaws on our chests. This toxic nut-case is a member of the legislature of your country? Holy shit.
And we used to think Minnesota was sort of civilized. I mean, isn't Lake Woebegone in Minnesota? How in God's name did this Stepford Nazi get elected in the first place? Surely she didn't just go nuts recently?
October 20, 2008 9:19 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'm not from Minnesota and am no expert on Bachmann's political successes or the congressional districts there, but others who live in the state have written that hers is pretty gerrymandered. Here's some info on the 6th CD:
http://www.govtrack.us/congress/person.xpd?id=412216
On a side note, her reputation as a "moderate Republican" may also be in jeopardy!
October 20, 2008 11:05 PM | Reply | Permalink
Lots of good stuff here.
Bachman is one of the most fascinating races. How much of the limited RCCC funds are they going to toss at the relative newcomer Bachman, and how much are going to reserved for the longtimers suddenly fighting for survival in a potential wave?
Webb going to support Musgrove is awesome. The Dems badly need to get their strongest figures out around the country to support down ticket candidates. The Big Dog was dead on the spot when talking about how critical the down ticket is this year. Huge opportunity, and we can't miss the chance.
Seeing Libby Dole melt is fantastic.
I love seeing the Chambliss-Martin race stay close in GA. That's really what Martin needs to do - keep it close as the clock runs out. Obama isn't giving up on the state entirely, especially with the re$ource$ he has. He's going to work to turn out the vote. If McCain is insane enough to chase the whale of PA, then his resources to "defend" GA are going to be limited. Inturn, Obama is going to work the Ground Game. It *may not* win the state for Obama, but the Ground Game may work with Martin to win the state for Martin. This is probably the #1 race early in the day to watch next Tuesday - seeing how close it is.
John
October 20, 2008 11:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
"Seeing Libby Dole melt is fantastic."
Yes, this is heaven's happy work. If we take Ezekiel from the New American Standard Bible (©1995) as opposed to Tarantino,
"I will execute great vengeance on them with wrathful rebukes; and they will know that I am the LORD when I lay My vengeance on them!"'"
October 21, 2008 7:00 AM | Reply | Permalink
I live next door to the 6th CD. In an earlier post I mentioned my friend,D.O., who is unfortunate enough to live in her district. In the past, sporting a Dem sign in your yard brought on vandalism.
Just last week, in a meeting with his housing association, D.O. made a joke about posting an Obama billboard in his front yard, in reference to the association's yard sign limitations. He made the joke on purpose, hoping to attract some undecideds in conversations (and find some Dem friends). After the meeting, several people stopped to ask D.O. about Obama. He told me they were genuinely curious; he had a chat with three or four people and is pretty sure he reeled in at least two of them.
By the way, D.O. has earned the respect of his association members because he has been instrumental in improving service, reducing costs, increasing the reserve fund, and strengthening the community. You know, the things Democrats do.
Anyway, D.O. reports that Michele Bachmann emits deadly radiation and is truly posessed by demons. In 2006 he went to a Bachmannsium rally and told me, "The woman is bat shit crazy. She is completely unhinged and could become dangerous if anyone actually listens to her."
She's crazy for real and we'll all be better off if she returns to the underworld.
October 21, 2008 8:23 AM | Reply | Permalink
Arrgh!
"WHEN she returns to the underworld."
must . . . have . . . more . . . coffee
October 21, 2008 8:27 AM | Reply | Permalink