Republicans Turn to No Blank Check in Final Days
With Sen. John McCains (R-Ariz.) White House prospects dimming and just days to go before the elections, Republicans are turning to a no blank check strategy in an effort to minimize their losses in the House and Senate.
The National Republican Senatorial Committee has been hammering the “no blank check” theme in TV ads in North Carolina, where Sen. Elizabeth Dole (R) is in a tough fight with state Sen. Kay Hagan (D).
Whos the Senate race really about? Hagan or Dole? Neither one, the announcer says in one spot. Its about liberals in Washington. They want complete control of the government. They spent $10 million dollars on a hoax, with a picture of Hagan on the screen.
The left wants 60 votes in the Senate. To push radical cuts to our military. Massive tax increases. Liberal judges. And expand welfare, the ad continues. Kay Hagan, if she wins, liberals get a blank check.
This week, the NRSC continued the same themes in Louisiana, with an ad attempting to label Sen. Mary Landrieu (D) as corrupt, liberal and someone who has voted with presidential nominee Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) more than 80 percent of the time.
Dont give Washington liberals complete control. Dont give them a blank check, says to the NRSC spot, which hinges on the notion that Louisiana is one state where Obama wont do well on Election Day.
The no blank check strategy is also creeping into House races. Republican businessman Chris Hackett sounded the theme in an ad that began airing Monday. Hackett is running against freshman Rep. Christopher Carney (D) in Pennsylvanias 10th district.
What if Washington becomes controlled at all levels by big-government Democrats? It could happen this election. One party dominance can be very dangerous, the ad begins.
Hacketts ad then features Sen. Arlen Specter (R-Pa.), the Keystone States popular senior Senator, talking straight to the camera.
I am very concerned about one-party rule in Washington, Specter says in the spot. Thats why its so important to elect Chris Hackett to Congress. With Chris Hackett, well have a check against massive Democratic control. And thats vital for our country.
In the Minnesota Senate race, Democrats are making the opposite case.
We dont have a lot of time to turn our economy around. And its going to take a new president and 60 Senators willing to stand up for change. Now, any single Republican can block the progress we need, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.) said in a TV ad done for the Democratic nominee. Al Franken could very well be that 60th vote. I hope youll vote for Al Franken. Lets end the gridlock and get our country moving.