The Big Three: Hot Senate Race Updates
A daily update of trends and analyses from the hottest Senate races.
1. Cardin Sees Bush, Steele Smells Trash: After sparring in their first debate 10/3 in MD, Rep. Ben Cardin (D-03) and Michael Steele (R) are attacking each other with new TV ads. Cardin ties Steele to Pres. Bush on Social Security and stem cell research, saying "On issue after issue Michael Steele stands with George Bush. I stand with you."
Steele's response: "Smell it? Trash from my opponent ... time to take it out." What's more, he says "First... Ben Cardin's team hacks into my credit report... steals my Social Security number. Oh yeah: they pled guilty in federal court. Then, the personal smears... Now he says I'm in the President's hip pocket. Listen to me Mr. Cardin: I think for myself."
2. Race In The Race: In TN, Rep. Harold Ford Jr (D-09) said a "nasty" RNC ad "showing dark, shadowy figure" allegedly meant to represent him "injects a little race." Meanwhile, RNC spokesperson Danny Diaz called Ford's comments "really one of the more outlandish claims" he's "heard this election cycle. Ford also said a TN GOP fundraising letter portrayed him in a darker hue, saying his image on the mailer "looks like I've been in the sun for three months." TN GOP exec. dir. Chris Devaney denied charges of racial messaging (Chattanooga Times Free Press)
3. Without Tim, There's Just No Debate: Sen. Bob Menendez's (D) up with a new ad in NJ attacking State Sen. Tom Kean Jr (R). While a mug shot of ex-Hudson County exec. Robert Janiszewski airs, the ANNCR says: "Federal prisoner 25038-050. He's Tom Kean Jr.'s newest advisor... Kean Jr. conspired with a corrupt politician to smear Bob Menendez... Kean Jr.'s smears are 'wholly... unsupported by the facts.'"
Kean withdrew from one of his three scheduled TV debates with Menendez, set for 10/22, "saying he won't participate" until Menendez agrees to a national debate on NBC's "Meet the Press." Aides say Menendez will still attend "whether Kean shows up or not." Kean manager Evan Kozlow: "The candidates... would have debated several more times had Bob Menendez not been afraid to put his personal corruption and poor ethical decisions on display" (Star-Ledger).