The Buzz On Busby

Francine Busby's ill-timed "papers" comment seems to have rallied the Republican base in CA 50. San Diego's news-talk stations relentlessly featured the soundbite this morning. And Rush Limbaugh led his broadcast with her comments.

Now, predictably, the NRCC is jumping in the fray. They're up with a brand-new radio ad, highlighting Busby's stumble. Here's the transcript.

ANNCR: "The 'San Diego Union Tribune' wrote, 'If an election can turn on a sentence, this could be the one.' Francine Busby's own words: 'YOU DON'T NEED PAPERS FOR VOTING.' That's right, Francine Busby says you don't need papers to vote. Brian Bilbray disagrees. Bilbray said at worst, Busby was encouraging someone to vote illegally. At best, she was encouraging someone who is illegally in the country to work on her campaign. The more we find out about Busby the worse it gets. Last week, the 'North County Times' reported Busby's campaign had to admit they weren't telling the truth about Brian Bilbray. The choice: Francine Busby's position-government handouts for illegal immigrants and 'YOU DON'T NEED PAPERS TO VOTE.' Or Brian Bilbray...endorsed by 'North County Times,' the 'San Diego Union Tribune' and leaders in the fight to secure our border"

Needless to say, it's not the kind of attention Busby wants one day before the special runoff. [JOSH KRAUSHAAR]