GOP Plans $500,000 Hit On Obama, Dems

Politico: Strategic Advertising Will Link The Senator's Vulnerabilities To Congressional Hopefuls

(The Politico)  This story was written by Josh Kraushaar.

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For months, GOP operatives spoke with dread of the prospects of running against Barack Obama in the fall. But after weeks of controversies over his former pastor, his views of blue-collar voters and even the sincerity of his patriotism, Republicans now are ready to place a $500,000 bet that Obama will be a heavy burden on down-ballot Democrats.

That’s the approximate amount of advertising purchased so far by the National Republican Congressional Committee and GOP allies to link Democratic congressional hopefuls in Mississippi and Louisiana to their party’s potential presidential nominee.

Whereas Obama once seemed an almost cultlike figure who transcended race and class, the narrative that has emerged from his campaign’s recent trials has given Republicans hope that the Illinois senator can be tagged as an elitist with the same effectiveness with which Michael Dukakis and John F. Kerry were so labeled.

The elitist story line has provided Republicans with press release fodder against freshman Democratic House members and statewide elected officials in roughly two dozen states.

Republican-leaning districts could be particularly fertile ground for Obama-focused attacks, GOP officials say. “I think he’s the weaker candidate, and I’ve thought that for over a year now,” NRCC Chairman Tom Cole (Okla.) said at a briefing on Monday. “He’s very inexperienced. He is by any definition liberal and to the left of Hillary Clinton, and he will give us plenty of ideological divisions to work with.”

Besides the two special congressional elections in Mississippi and Louisiana next month, Republicans believe they can also exploit Obama’s vulnerabilities in House battlegrounds where he has struggled to win over key demographic groups. Those areas include three culturally conservative seats in Pennsylvania, where Obama lost badly in last week’s primary, and three Cuban-American districts in Florida that Democrats are seriously contesting for the first time.

In the Deep South, Republicans think making an explicit connection to Obama will allow them to hold on to districts where Democrats have gained traction by recruiting culturally conservative candidates who have distanced themselves from the national party.

“If they voted up here the way they were running, believe me, they could come here and join the [conservative] Republican Study Committee in good standing,” Cole said.

In Mississippi and Louisiana, where Democratic challengers Travis Childers and Don Cazayoux are seen as having real chances to win historically scarlet-red congressional seats, Democratic officials say the GOP is grasping at straws.

“The NRCC and its GOP allies are desperate to distract voters from their extremely flawed candidates,” said Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee Communications Director Jennifer Crider.

But those concerns aren’t deterring a collection of groups from testing the waters with anti-Obama ads in Mississippi and Louisiana. The NRCC, the conservative advocacy group Freedom’s Watch and the campaign of Mississippi candidate Greg Davis combined have put up about $500,000 in advertising explicitly connecting Cazayoux and Childers to Obama.

The NRCC is up with a new spot in Mississippi’s 1st District in which Childers is flanked by Kerry and Obama. The ad refers to Obama’s ranking by National Journal as having “the most liberal voting record in the U.S. Senate.” 

Davis’ newly released ad invokes Obama’s controversial former pastor, the Rev. Jeremiah Wright, arguing that Childers should have spoken out against Wright’s divisive rhetoric but instead “said nothing.”

“Travis Childers. He took Obama’s endorsement over our conservative values,” a narrator in the ad goes on to say.

Both Democrats have distanced themselves from Obama, arguing that the races hinge more on local issues than on the national landscape. 

But Cole argued that if Republicans can pull off twin victories in the special elections, the advertising connecting the candidates to Obama will have played a key role in closing what were once Democratic leads.

Both polling and actual election results have shown the Democratic candidates ahead in the two races. In Mississippi, Childers nearly picked up Sen. Roger Wicker’s former House seat in the first round of special election balloting but missed an outright victory by several hundred votes. He faces Davis in a runoff next month. 

In Louisiana, Cazayoux’s campaign has released two internal polls showing him with a lead over his Republican opponent, former state Rep. Woody Jenkins. The NRCC’s internal polling has shown similar numbers, and the committee just commissioned a new poll to see if the Obama connection has made an impact.

At the briefing, Cole cited internal committee polling from earlier this month that showed Arizona Sen. John McCain leading Obama 65 percent to 30 percent in a head-to-head matchup in Mississippi’s 1st District. In Louisiana, the committee has polling that shows only 37 percent of districtwide voters view Obama favorably, while 50 percent view him unfavorably.

Republicans also run a risk in playing the Obama card so early. If Democrats are able to pick up one of the special election seats in these highly conservative districts, it may indicate that a cookie-cutter approach connecting Obama to congressional candidates might not work as well as advertised.

“When they do the guilt by association, it’s particularly egregious. It’s kind of goofy,” said Democratic pollster John Anzalone, who is handling polling for both Childers and Cazayoux.

The overt use of Obama as a bogeyman also runs the risk, particularly in the South, of creating racial connotations that could backfire. McCain and the Republican National Committee last week denounced an ad from the state GOP attacking Democratic gubernatorial candidates Beverly Perdue and Richard Moore for their ties to Obama.

“No one underestimates the power of race in the Deep South, but at the same time, I think they’re barking up the wrong tree,” said Anzalone. “They think they have a great opportunity by pulling the race card here, but I think they’ve really gotten off message.” Anzalone said his numbers show Cazayoux holding his support among white voters despite the Obama ads.

Democrats point to the Obama ads as a potentially risky move in these Southern districts that have a significant share of African-American voters.

“That’s a pretty daring move when the district is 30 percent African-American,” said one Democratic operative. “What they’re clearly trying to do is depress the white turnout.”

Still, Obama’s weakness among blue-collar, working-class voters has not gone unnoticed by members of Congress who may have to share a ballot with him.

Many freshman Democrats who represent culturally conservative districts, including Reps. Christopher P. Carney (D-Pa.), Jason Altmire (D-Pa.), Brad Ellsworth (D-Ind.) and Heath Shuler (D-N.C.), have stayed on the sidelines so far in the primary season.

Carney and Altmire are facing highly competitive reelection bids themselves - and last week’s presidential primary results could give them new cause for concern. Obama lost every county in Carney’s northeastern Pennsylvania district by double-digit margins - including the district’s Scranton-area base, by nearly 50 points.

Obama also performed particularly poorly in Altmire’s district, losing two key exurban Pittsburh counties within his district - Beaver and Lawrence - with 30 percent of the vote or less.

Four days before the primary, House GOP leader John A. Boehner appeared at a press conference with Altmire’s Republican opponent and called on the Democratic freshman to apologize for Obama’s remarks about small towns in Pennsylvania. “It’s time for Barack Obama to apologize to voters here in Pennsylvania and across the Midwest,” said Boehner. “And it’s time for his supporters in Congress to defend their constituents and denounce Obama’s patronizing rhetoric.”

“If I’m John McCain, I think I can win in Pennsylvania,” said Cole. “[Democratic freshmen] are worried they’ll finally have to run with someone whose positions are at odds with what they believe.”

In Florida, Republicans believe that Obama’s comments that seem to advocate a more normalized relationship with Cuba will benefit Republicans in three heavily Cuban-American districts in South Florida who are facing contested reelection bids.

DCCC Chairman Chris Van Hollen (Md.) has been campaigning in South Florida this week with three Democratic recruits running against Reps. Lincoln Diaz-Balart (R-Fla.), Mario Diaz-Balart (R-Fla.) and Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-Fla.).

[ksh1022]

See stupid Obama supporters? The repub. want the far left liberal inexperienced senator with racist ties. Their media people won''t even have to work hard to send Obama packing. So lets see if my Democratic party will be equally stupid and select Obama. Remember Dukakis, Mondale, Kerry?

[b-easy63]

So now HRC does not have to testify in the campaign fraud case against Bill that also implicates her--until AFTER the November elections? So says the judge who appears to not want the story about Hillary and this fraud to taint her bid for the Presidency. But why not? We don''t need another Clinton impeachment when we find out what a lying fraud who stole money that she really is (they''ve got VIDEO and the tape of her voice --Hilterly supporters!!)

Is this like Rezko? Nope--Rezko involved Obama''s association with a questionable person. This involved HRC and Bill''s questionable actions (and potentially illegal actions) with a questionable person. Big difference.

Obama''s could harm his campaign, Hillary''s could land her before a Grand jury and like DeLay--facing jail time now the judge steps in and says everyone EXCEPT Hillary, can testify now-but Hillary gets to wait until after the election is over--wonder why? The judge also told one of the lawyers of Hillary/Bill to say Hi to a buddy of his who worked for that firm. Nice and cosy eh?

http://tpmcafe.talkingpointsmemo.com/talk/2008/04/breaking-news-hilla
ry-clinton.php

What does a civil case have to do with fraud? Hillary lied on a deposition about the same issue that got her campaign mgr (David Rosen) indicted. and she is caught on tape helping to plan a fundraiser that would limit the donation to her to 25K--but it was for 250K--10X the amount. If proven--then that is fraud-- LMAO

[b-easy63]

Hillary still has one big plus: most Obama supporters would still vote for her, even if she cheats to win. THIS little fact means she can do what she likes and still at least get their votes. Obama on the other hand, is shown to lose her crowd. If electability is the issue--Obama supporters hurt him every time they say they will vote for Hillary no matter what.

If the contest is 50/50 then if Obama supporters will still support Hillary but more of hers won''''t support Obama--and either can get the Independents--who would lose? Obama supporters don''''t see the game.

In the final analysis, the superdelegates will go with the best risk, if HRC can pull the Independents, it COULD be her. Obama''''s supporters and their loyalty to the Dem party are being used against him and them. Funny how so many can''''t see that.

[nanging3]

OBAMA IS A RACIST TOO.. %u2026

On June 5th, 2007, Senator Barack Obama spoke before 8,000 people gathered in
Hampton University%u2019s Convocation Center. Most of them were pastors and ministers
attending a conference there.

He was there to speak on mostly post Katrina issues and to criticize the Bush
administration%u2019s efforts during that natural disaster. Obama tried his catch
phrase of the moment, saying that a %u201Cquiet riot%u201D might be occurring in America
and he affirmed that he felt that America was a racist nation, that the reaction
to Katrina had just %u201Cpulled back the screen%u201D on America%u2019s racism. Obama also
used rhetoric heavily doused with religious symbolism.

http://newsbusters.org/blogs/warner-todd-huston/2008/03/16/contrary-claims-obama
-very-close-racist-preacher-wright

[dukuss]

The good ole GOP will do what Clinton has so far been unable to do, send Senator Tawana Brawley Obama back to Chicago.

Let the fireworks begin.

[truthyness]

Get Real,

Whats $500,000 to a Republican....pocket change.

[parrot123-2009]

Obama is the combination of Rev Wright and Rezko. This rookie is a phony and DISHONEST. Pls don%u2019t be fooled by salesman. If he is the nominee, the republicans will eat him alive. We, as the Democrats, deserve better!
Posted by themagic07 at 11:03 AM : Apr 30, 2008

You don''t smear another Dem and then in the same breadth claim to be a Dem - besides don''t all this ***** remind you somewhat of Barnabas ?? The speech and delusion is Wright''s and Wright''s alone - unless you''ve seen Obama act on it ever, stop with the misplaced BS - This is not Obama''s cross to bear - he''s only Human like you and i. Cheers!

[parrot123-2009]

Wow ......

[donaldd8]

McCain is ineligible to become president unless the Republican Controlled Court System overrides the Constitution and more than 200 years of legal residence; they''ve done it before!!!

The RNC is spending $500,000 because they don''t have any more money to spend.

[themagic07]

Obama is the combination of Rev Wright and Rezko. This rookie is a phony and DISHONEST. Pls don%u2019t be fooled by salesman. If he is the nominee, the republicans will eat him alive. We, as the Democrats, deserve better!

[parrot123-2009]

I wish it''ll start already ..... Repugs have clearly forgotten 2006 or they''re just really very desperate right now ...... Either way, it''ll be tough for them to try pushing a 72yr old Senile candidate for POTUS. They''re clearly hoping they can distract Americans long enough for McSame to look competent enough to win. Cheers!

[usbrit-2009]

Usual GOPig tactics - they can''t say anything good about themselves without lying, so they tear down the other side. Typical.

[realitygirl2]

SENATOR OBAMA IS THE BEST FOR OUR COUNTRY AND WILL MAKE THE BEST PRESIDENT THIS COUNTRY HAS EVER SEEN. HILLARY CLINTON HATES ANYONE WHO IS DIFFERENT FROM HERSELF- PEOPLE WHO ARE INTELLIGENT, PEOPLE WHO ARE SMART, PEOPLE WHO DO NOT EXPLOIT POOR PEOPLE OR JUST PEOPLE, AND PEOPLE WHO SINCERELY CARE FOR OTHERS.

[jack3213]

MCCAIN 2008 IS THE BEST OPTION CONSIDERING THERE IS ONE VERY INEXPERIANCED HYPOCRIT FROM IL WHO HAD A HATEFUL PASTOR FOR 20 YEARS- AND ONE VERY DECEITFUL WOMAN WHO THINKS SHE HAS EXPERIANCE BECAUSE HER HUSBAND DID- OR SO HE THOUGHT...AND KEPT TRYING TO FIGURE IT OUT WITH MANY OTHER WOMAN OTHER THAN HIS WIFE.

[PulSamsara]

All I can think of is ''Dr. Evil'' from Austin Powers.
--- Five Hundred Thousand Dollars --- !!!
ewwwww.... sounds scary... lol
what are they going to do with that ... buy a classified ad in a local paper ? LOL...
$500,000 ! rofl

[b0ludo]

My vote will be cast for one of the two Americans in the race... Obama may grow into one, give him a few years and he and his wife may learn to love this country. Anything is possible nowadays...

[scorpio59er]

If the American people fall for this GOP malarkey again, we deserve every bad thing that will happen to us as a result.

[sgtrds]

H e l l, just send the money to Hillary''''s campaign. She needs the money and you can thank her for damaging Obama. And to even suggest that Barack Obama is an "elite" is the funniest think I have ever heard in my life.

Posted by kansas1946 at 06:20 PM : Apr 29, 2008

You mean they already haven''t? I mean she''s been campaigning so hard for McCain I just assumed she was already on the GOP payroll.

[ixoye_02]

The GOP better have some good political ads. Because the GOP needs to overcome the recent disaster of a president called Bush, an unethical Congress that lowered taxes but spent money on pet projects, the start of an unnecessary war in Iraq, a tentative grip on military success in Afghanistan, and trillions of dollars of national debt, not to mention the bad economy and short-sighted energy policy. And if the *** scandals of Foley, Vitter, and Craig don''t make one puke, there is plenty of republican political record every American can examine. I don''t think I could trust another republican politician with my vote or support in the next few elections. The Lewinski scandal was an opening act compared to the whole GOP disaster-drama that followed. If any political party needs to learn how to implode, take lessons from the GOP.

[noloyalisti]

Don''t forget this is the same conservative GOP who supported the bush crime family (aka Big Oil) and is now supporting the coward bomb,bomb,bomb,bomb,bomb mcBush.

They have done a splendid job with foreign policy and the economy so let''s let the fascist mainstream media continue it''s toll on the the American people and those of the world.