Rob Simmons, as you’ll recall, “suspended” his Senate campaign in Connecticut after losing the GOP convention to Linda McMahon (meaning he basically stopped campaigning, but kept his money and a skeletal staff accessible). Last week, he said he was thinking about getting back in, but then a spokesperson walked that back. Today, without warning, Simmons began airing a TV spot, as follows:
“Today, it’s important to vote with your heart and your head. Bailouts and tax increases have crippled the economy and cost us jobs. Small business is our backbone. Let’s help them. National security must remain strong. Put your trust in the candidate who is and will be an advocate for veterans. These issues will have a lasting effect on our children. In the Republican primary on August tenth, you do have a choice. I’m Rob Simmons, I’m still on the ballot, and I approved this message.”
Nowhere does he say he’s a candidate, or that he’d like people’s vote for himself. Whatever he’s doing, though, he seems pretty serious about it: he’s spending $300K on the ads, which isn’t huge in Connecticut but definitely means he’s trying to reach lots of eyeballs, not just gin up some free media. The McMahon campaign is taking it seriously, too, sending out a release saying that they’re “confused” (as are the rest of us) but also accusing of going back on his word.
PS: There won’t be a Daily Digest for the next two days, seeing as how we will all be drinking discussing important policy issues at Netroots Nation. Hopefully we’ll be able to update with a few of the days’ most important items, though.
Republican numbers in CT are horrible. Even after the Vietnam controversy was (stupidly) leaked last month, Blumenthal is still ahead by 30+ points. Republicans have a better chance at winning Wisconsin. You’d think that Rob Simmons would rather kick back and play golf with some lobbyists, but hey whatever.
I assume the next Daily Digest won’t happen until at least Monday.
What will I do with my life without my daily digest? Your Digest is the political crack that helps me get through the day without suffering withdrawals, haha. I don’t know if I could last until next Monday. 🙁
The latest Quinnipiac poll had McMahon trouncing Simmons. If I were her, I’d just ignore his “candidacy” from here on out. It’s not like Simmons has been outperforming McMahon vs. Blumenthal anyway. With Vietnamgate over, McMahon’s probably the better candidate, at least financially.
why be so wishy-washy about it?