NRCC Threatens Vote-Flippers With Ads
The NRCC is threatening to run early ad campaigns against Dems who vote in favor of health care legislation, the party announced today, potentially committing scarce resources to score valuable political points.
The NRCC said today it would prepare ads to run against 42 incumbent Dems, including those who found themselves on both sides of the health care vote in Nov. If those members vote for the bill later this week, the NRCC will attack.
But just how much they will spend will depend on how much they have in the bank today. The NRCC had just $4.1M as of Jan. 31, well below the DCCC's bank balance, and with several special elections looming, the party has to consider how much it will spend on health care ads. Too, the NRCC has to begin planning for an expensive independent expenditure campaign that's coming right around the corner.
What's more likely is that the NRCC would spend a few thousand dollars to run the ad enough times to earn local media coverage. That's what the party did when they launched ads against Reps. Earl Pomeroy (D-ND), Vic Snyder (D-AR) and John Spratt (D-SC) last Nov., spending a total of $6,300 combined.
Last week, the committee launched an ad against Rep. Gabby Giffords (D-AZ) during the PAC-10 tournament, when the Arizona Wildcats were playing their final game of the season. That ad -- on a cable network in the middle of the day -- likely didn't cost the committee much money either.
Still, earned media is as valuable, if not more so, than paid media, and the ads will generate headlines if and when they air.
The NRCC's ad, "Washington Madness," targeted against Rep. Alan Mollohan (D-WV):
Oh noooeeezzz, a REPUBLICAN AD!!!!1!11!111!!!11
RUN FOR THE HILLS!
HAHAHA. Yeah right.
The Republican Party is a party of liars and scammers.
Where's John Ensign?
Perhaps Ensign is off sitting on a tax free Caribean beach with Charlie Rangel. Or tickling male staffers with Eric Massa. Or helping John Conyer's wife prepare for prison. Or helping Elliot Spitzer find good hookers. Or helping David Paterson beat down victims of domestic violence. Or with John Edwards figuring out a new lie on how to keep his baby-momma quiet....
I'm actually experienced with this, and I agree with you.