DCCC Targets Benishek With 2nd IE Ad
The DCCC has gone up with its second ad of the cycle, attacking surgeon Dan Benishek (R) for supporting cuts to Social Security and Medicare -- the Dems go-to-campaign issue so far this cycle.
Benishek is running against state Rep. Gary McDowell (D) for retiring Rep. Bart Stupak's seat in MI 01.
The ad uses Benishek's own words against him. At a forum in June, Benishek said, "Privatizing Social Security and Medicare is the only way to do it." And the ad highlights comments he made on a talk radio show, where he said that Social Security is a "disaster."
The DCCC decision to target Benishek indicates their strategy is to go after candidates who have short political resumes in an effort to define them early in the campaign. The DCCC's first IE ad targeted former "Real World" star and ex-Ashland Co. DA Sean Duffy (R), who is facing off against state Sen. Julie Lassa (D) in retiring Rep. David Obey's WI 07 seat.
Benishek was also one of the first Tea Party candidates to win a GOP primary. In fact, Benishek was one of the first candidates that earned the backing -- and money -- of the Tea Party Express, which has since backed Sharron Angle in NV SEN and Joe Miller in AK SEN, among other conservative candidates.