Texas: NRCC Spending for Write-in Tops $1.1M
Related Content
The National Republican Congressional Committee has now spent more than $1.1 million on the write-in campaign being waged by Houston City Councilwoman Shelley Sekula-Gibbs (R), indicating that the GOP is making a definite play to hold the 22nd district seat.
Because he faces no significant opposition on the Nov. 7 ballot and has a substantial edge in cash on hand, former Rep. Nick Lampson (D) is considered the favorite to win the conservative suburban Houston seat. DeLay represented the district for more than 20 years until he resigned on June 9.
But some Republicans hold out hope that they can educate a sufficient number of voters to write in Sekula-Gibbs.
“Voters in the wealthy Houston suburbs are sophisticated voters, and our efforts are to make sure they don’t get duped by a liberal Democrat who is posing as a conservative,” a Republican strategist said Wednesday.
Despite a record during his previous stint in Congress that was conventionally liberal as judged by some major interest groups that dish out such labels based on a Member’s votes, Lampson dismisses the charge as inaccurate. He has been endorsed by law enforcement and business organizations and the National Rifle Association, and he has contended throughout the campaign that such backing is not given out to liberal Democrats.
“Nick Lampson is endorsed by the NRA, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Houston Association of Realtors, the Texas State Police Coalition — and the list goes on,” Lampson campaign manager Mike Malaise said. “He represents mainstream Texas values and any suggestion to the contrary is just wishful thinking by the NRCC.”
Republicans were forced to run a write-in campaign after the GOP’s plan to replace DeLay on the ballot with an appointed candidate was blocked by the courts following a lawsuit filed by the Texas Democratic Party. DeLay resigned after winning the March 7 primary.
— David M. Drucker
OHIO
Wulsin Ad Has Clip of Schmidt Hitting Murtha
Democrat Victoria Wulsin’s latest TV ad attacking Rep. Jean Schmidt (R) uses footage of the Congresswoman’s now-infamous reference to Rep. John Murtha (D-Pa.) in a House floor speech.
“Cowards cut and run, Marines never do,” Schmidt said in a November 2005 floor speech during debate on a measure related to the Iraq War. She later apologized for her remark.
Those words play the starring role in Wulsin’s new TV ad, which also tells voters that Schmidt voted to cut homeland security funding and against veterans’ health benefits.
“When Jean Schmidt attacked a Congressman, she attacked all veterans and embarrassed all Americans,” an announcer tells voters in the new ad.
Schmidt’s re-election race against Wulsin has drawn the attention of both national parties, and the National Republican Congressional Committee already has spent about $300,000 on her behalf.
Murtha himself recently was in the 2nd district stumping with Wulsin.
— Lauren W. Whittington
CONNECTICUT
Political Celebs Continue to Stump in Key Races
Political celebrities continue to troop into the Nutmeg State to stump for candidates in close House and Senate races.
Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.) held a town hall meeting Wednesday in East Hartford with veterans and Ned Lamont, who beat Sen. Joe Lieberman in the August Democratic primary.
Kerry, a decorated Vietnam War veteran and 2004 Democratic presidential nominee, has been making the rounds for Democratic candidates across the country this year as he weighs another presidential bid in 2008.
Lamont trails Lieberman, who is seeking re-election as an Independent, in the most recent public polls.
In the 2nd district, another likely 2008 presidential contender, Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), will be on the stump.
McCain joins Rep. Rob Simmons (R), who is locked in a tough battle with former state Rep. Joe Courtney (D), in South Glastonbury on Saturday.
The rally at the Elks Club will feature McCain and Simmons, who also are decorated Vietnam War veterans.
In the 4th district, former White House spokesman Ari Fleischer and Rep. Christopher Shays (R) were the featured speakers at a Republican Jewish Coalition forum on foreign policy Wednesday in Stamford.
Shays is in a rematch with former Westport First Selectwoman Diane Farrell (D), whom he narrowly beat in 2004.
Farrell got a nice feather to stick in her cap Wednesday when The New York Times endorsed her over Shays in the 4th district.
The newspaper — the 4th district encompasses many New York City suburbs — historically has endorsed Shays in his almost 20-year House career.
— Nicole Duran
MONTANA
‘Brokeback Mountain’ Stars in Anti-Tester Ad
The Free Enterprise Fund is up with a new television spot in Montana, parodying the movie “Brokeback Mountain” to criticize state Senate President Jon Tester (D) and insinuate he would vote to raise taxes should he defeat Sen. Conrad Burns (R).
“Brokebank Democrats. They can’t fight their nature,” says the voice-over at the outset of the 30-second ad.
The spot, running statewide on broadcast television, shows two horse-mounted cowboys off in the distance on a shadowy hill top, speculating about Tester’s tax policy.
“Pete, d’ya see Jon Tester called cutting taxes ridiculous?” asks cowboy No. 1, in a thick western accent.
Taylor: Preventing Another Underwear Bomber
March 19, 4:09 p.m.
The intelligence community faces challenges daily. No example is more emblematic of the problems faced than the so-called underwear bomber of 2009. As threats emerge, the hunt for “persons of interest” must occur in a more reliable and efficient manner because the consequences of inaction can be catastrophic. Read Full Article
Roll Call Video Channels
