In terms of third-party media groups throwing down coin in House races this year, the GOP has Freedom’s Crotch Watch in their corner, while Democrats have relied almost solely on the DCCC to saturate the airwaves in three special election victories. However, things are starting to perk up a bit today with the news that two GOP incumbents will be hit by a round of negative ads in the coming weeks.
In Colorado’s 4th CD, Rep. Marilyn Musgrave is the target of $175K worth of negative ads by the Defenders of Wildlife Action Fund targeting her record on automobile fuel economy standards:
This is the second round of ads that DWAF has launched against Musgrave. In June, the group spent $200K against the congresswoman. That’s some serious money.
Over in Ohio’s 1st CD, the Patriot Majority group is throwing down $250K in ads against GOP Rep. Steve Chabot, hitting the congressman on the issue of high gas prices:
“It’s a shame. Gas prices are hurting Ohio. But our Congressman is part of the problem in Washington,” an announcer says in the new 30-second spot. “We’re struggling to meet rising food costs and sky-high gas prices. But instead of helping us, Congressman Chabot supported tax hikes for oil companies – not once, not twice, but five times. Chabot voted for billions in special tax breaks for oil companies even though they’re making record profits.”
The ad concludes with a screen image of President Bush and Vice President Cheney. “Tell Steve Chabot to stop siding with big oil companies and big oil men,” the announcer says.
The group also launched a biting attack ad against far-right Michigan Rep. Tim Walberg last week.
Musgrave and Chabot have had their share of fierce races, but this could be the year that efforts like these finally take their toll.
SSP currently rates CO-04 and OH-01 as Lean Republican.
Could be pretty powerful, though I’d bank on “tax breaks for oil companies” as carrying more heft. Either way, this is very heartening.
It is good to know some outside groups are spending money against the GOP to counter the GOP’s outside groups.
That last picture of Musgrave with the $4.00 gas, well it kinda made her look “large”. Talk about a proverbial shot in the nuts.
Broken record: “Leans Republican” is too pessimistic in OH-01. With the overwhelming advantage of the DCCC over the chaos that is the GOP US House campaign Dreihaus is gonna take Chabot out.
As the GOP Congressional delegation dwindles, I wonder if their market value to K Street lobbying firms will diminish?