DSCC Buys Time In Connecticut
The DSCC has purchased $250K in TV time aimed at shoring up what was once seen as a guaranteed winning seat in Connecticut, according to sources who watch the state's ad market.
The buy will bolster AG Dick Blumenthal (D), whose once-dominant lead has shrunk to single digits, according to recent public and private polling.
The DSCC has purchased 10 days of TV time, running from Oct. 1 to Oct. 11, in the Hartford media market, the sources said. DSCC spokespeople did not immediately return calls seeking comment, but the committee has refused to discuss their ad buys in the past.
Blumenthal once led former WWE CEO Linda McMahon (R) by wide margins, but McMahon has spent millions running ads touting her candidacy. The latest reliable survey, conducted by Quinnipiac University, shows Blumenthal leading by a tiny 49%-46% margin, making the race one of the most competitive in the country.
Blumenthal's lead has also dropped as revelations about his service during the Vietnam War came to light. Republicans have accused Blumenthal of overstating his time in the military and suggesting, erroneously, that he served overseas.
Most Connecticut voters -- 68% -- approve of the job Blumenthal has done as Attorney General, but his image has suffered. His favorable rating stood at just 51% in the Quinnipiac survey, while 41% said they view him unfavorably.
Democrats have painted McMahon as out of touch with the state, and have used her position with the WWE to tar her unfavorably. Indeed, the Quinnipiac poll shows just 42% have a favorable view of McMahon, while 43% see her unfavorably.
Connecticut is the second state where Democrats have made unexpected ad buys in recent weeks. Last week, the committee purchased television time in West Virginia, another formerly safe Democratic Senate seat, on behalf of highly popular Gov. Joe Manchin (D). Republicans have been tethering Manchin to President Obama, who is highly unpopular in the state.
Most public polls show Manchin running neck and neck against businessman John Raese (R). This week, the NRSC went up with their own ads in the state, signifying that both parties see the contest as competitive.
I'll bet the Q-poll is an outlier. And Ras is... well, Ras. Blumentha'ls internals show a 12 point advantage. So split the difference and he's sitting on something like a comfortable 6% lead.
The fact that DSCC is putting a (relatively modest) buy out in Ct. doesn't necessarily mean Blumenthal's in trouble. Only that, in the wake of the Brown/Coakley fiasco, they're taking nothing for granted.
Maybe they can buy some signs and bumper stickers, too. I live in liberal New Haven, and while I've seen a handful of "Linda" signs, I have yet to see anything for Blumenthal. Is he taking the race for granted? Hoarding his cash for a last-minute blitz? Or is he playing the role of the hero in wrestling who appears to be all but pinned, but manages to rally at the last second, pinning the villain and claiming the glory?
He's a good man. I remember him well when we served together in 'Nam. Brave, too. Saved my life a couple of times.