Today's Article
Senate Democrats
believe they may be
'within reach
of...capturing a
filibuster-proof 60
seats.'
believe they may be
'within reach
of...capturing a
filibuster-proof 60
seats.'
The American Spark
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Republicans Pull Ads in Key House, Senate Races
By Cliff Montgomery - Oct. 17th, 2008
Republican Party leaders apparently are preparing themselves for a string of congressional losses. The GOP is
calling a stop to television ads in one major Senate contest in Louisiana and rolling back commercials in as
many as eight tight House races, just three weeks before voters go to the polls.
Such moves reflect the hard choices cash-poor Republicans are being forced to make during the last few
weeks of congressional campaigning. By contrast, a surging Democratic Party--which already enjoys a
congressional majority--now is pushing into what previously had been solid GOP territory.
In yanking its planned advertisements from Louisiana, the Senate GOP campaign committee has all but
abandoned its only reasonable hope of beating a Democratic incumbent, Senator Mary Landrieu. The senator
is in a tough race with the state treasurer--a Republican literally named John Kennedy.
The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC), the political arm of Senate Democrats, now is
targeting Republican Senators Mitch McConnell of Kentucky--who currently is the Senate minority leader--and
Sen. Saxby Chambliss of Georgia with new ads.
The recent developments first were reported by The Fix, a Washington Post-published blog. Well-connected
Democrats recently confirmed the media purchases to The Associated Press (AP).
The GOP has "seen the writing on the wall," DSCC spokesman Matthew Miller told AP.
While Miller's statement certainly may carry a deal of bias, the essence of the sentiment appears true enough.
Democrats currently enjoy a slim 51-49 majority in the Senate; this includes two independent senators who
often vote with the body's 49 Democrats. But Dems now have strong leads in five Senate races, and have a
good chance of gaining up to nine new seats in all.
It that happens, Senate Democrats believe they will be "within reach of their longer-shot goal of capturing a
filibuster-proof 60 seats," according to AP.
Landrieu was the Dems' only at-risk incumbent in the Senate. By comparison, the GOP has six vulnerable
incumbents in the chamber--in New Hampshire, North Carolina, Alaska, Oregon, Minnesota and Mississippi.
National Republican Senatorial Committee spokeswoman Rebecca Fisher was contacted by AP regarding
these developments, but perhaps tellingly declined to comment.
Meanwhile, Republican House campaign leaders have canceled ads in Idaho's 1st district and Nevada's 3rd.
They also have cut down on planned advertisements for candidates in central New Mexico and southern
Minnesota who are in tight matches with Democrats. The Dems hope to replace Republicans retiring from the
chamber.
House GOP campaign leaders have even pared down ads in four competitive districts against vulnerable
Democrat incumbents.
This includes ads discussing Rep. Tim Mahoney of Florida's 16th District, who is fighting a nasty
sex-and-hush-money scandal.
Advertisements against Dems Nick Lampson of Texas, Don Cazayoux of Louisiana and Nancy Boyda of
Kansas--also in tough contests to maintain their seats--were canceled by penny-pinching Republican House
campaign leaders.
Like what you're reading so far? Then why not order a full year (52 issues) of the The American Spark
e-newsletter for only $15? A major article covering an story not being told in the Corporate Press will be
delivered to your email every Monday morning for a full year, for less than 30 cents an issue. Order Now!
By Cliff Montgomery - Oct. 17th, 2008
Republican Party leaders apparently are preparing themselves for a string of congressional losses. The GOP is
calling a stop to television ads in one major Senate contest in Louisiana and rolling back commercials in as
many as eight tight House races, just three weeks before voters go to the polls.
Such moves reflect the hard choices cash-poor Republicans are being forced to make during the last few
weeks of congressional campaigning. By contrast, a surging Democratic Party--which already enjoys a
congressional majority--now is pushing into what previously had been solid GOP territory.
In yanking its planned advertisements from Louisiana, the Senate GOP campaign committee has all but
abandoned its only reasonable hope of beating a Democratic incumbent, Senator Mary Landrieu. The senator
is in a tough race with the state treasurer--a Republican literally named John Kennedy.
The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC), the political arm of Senate Democrats, now is
targeting Republican Senators Mitch McConnell of Kentucky--who currently is the Senate minority leader--and
Sen. Saxby Chambliss of Georgia with new ads.
The recent developments first were reported by The Fix, a Washington Post-published blog. Well-connected
Democrats recently confirmed the media purchases to The Associated Press (AP).
The GOP has "seen the writing on the wall," DSCC spokesman Matthew Miller told AP.
While Miller's statement certainly may carry a deal of bias, the essence of the sentiment appears true enough.
Democrats currently enjoy a slim 51-49 majority in the Senate; this includes two independent senators who
often vote with the body's 49 Democrats. But Dems now have strong leads in five Senate races, and have a
good chance of gaining up to nine new seats in all.
It that happens, Senate Democrats believe they will be "within reach of their longer-shot goal of capturing a
filibuster-proof 60 seats," according to AP.
Landrieu was the Dems' only at-risk incumbent in the Senate. By comparison, the GOP has six vulnerable
incumbents in the chamber--in New Hampshire, North Carolina, Alaska, Oregon, Minnesota and Mississippi.
National Republican Senatorial Committee spokeswoman Rebecca Fisher was contacted by AP regarding
these developments, but perhaps tellingly declined to comment.
Meanwhile, Republican House campaign leaders have canceled ads in Idaho's 1st district and Nevada's 3rd.
They also have cut down on planned advertisements for candidates in central New Mexico and southern
Minnesota who are in tight matches with Democrats. The Dems hope to replace Republicans retiring from the
chamber.
House GOP campaign leaders have even pared down ads in four competitive districts against vulnerable
Democrat incumbents.
This includes ads discussing Rep. Tim Mahoney of Florida's 16th District, who is fighting a nasty
sex-and-hush-money scandal.
Advertisements against Dems Nick Lampson of Texas, Don Cazayoux of Louisiana and Nancy Boyda of
Kansas--also in tough contests to maintain their seats--were canceled by penny-pinching Republican House
campaign leaders.
Like what you're reading so far? Then why not order a full year (52 issues) of the The American Spark
e-newsletter for only $15? A major article covering an story not being told in the Corporate Press will be
delivered to your email every Monday morning for a full year, for less than 30 cents an issue. Order Now!
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