WP: GOP Redirects Funds From Faltering Races

[RamboLiberal]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/20...

Faced with a deteriorating political climate, Republican Party officials are hoping to keep control of the House and Senate with a strategy aimed at shoring up enough endangered incumbents to preserve their majorities, while scaling back planned spending on races that now appear unwinnable.

In recent days, the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) has given back television time it had reserved in Democratic-held districts in West Virginia, South Carolina and Ohio -- apparently concluding that those races are beyond reach unless something dramatic changes the national political environment in the 25 days before the Nov. 7 election.

The Republican National Committee, which is using its substantial resources to supplement the party's Senate campaign committee, has spent virtually all of its television money in just three states -- Ohio, Missouri and Tennessee -- hoping to build a levee strong enough to save those seats and their Senate majority.

But recent events, among them the problems facing Republican Sens. George Allen in Virginia and Mike DeWine in Ohio, make that task even more difficult, GOP strategists privately concede.

Democrats, meanwhile, are juggling pleas for financial assistance from candidates in House districts once considered second-tier opportunities. The Democrats have ordered up polls in a dozen or more of these long-shot districts and now face a critical choice: whether to place bets on a few of these districts in the hope of expanding the field of competitive seats, or concentrate advertising dollars as planned on the roughly 20 to 25 districts where the odds appear most favorable.

[stevedeshazer]

1. This is stunning

I don't think it's even gonna be close.

Darcy Burner is going to unseat Dave Reichert, and even Marilyn Musgrave's seat is in danger.

These guys sure as hell should be concerned!

[Rowdyboy]

2. If you're right, and I believe you are, then we're about to see a "wave"..

like 1974 or 1986. If Darcy wins, its all over for the 'thugs. We're looking at a 30 seat gain.

[stevedeshazer]

3. I think we're on the verge of a political tsunami

And it's about damned time.

Good dates, and 1994 also comes to mind.

[Rowdyboy]

4. I was 20 on election night 1974 when we beat the shit out of them....

It was the best night of my life. We won EVERYFUCKINGTHING!!!!!! Every race that came in was a Democratic victory! It won't be that way this year but it will still be really good.

[bklyncowgirl]

7. That means they're playing defense--I guess it's good news

On the other hand I read that Howard Dean was saying that the challenge for the Democrats this year was to find the resources to compete in all of these newly competetive districts. Hopefully the groundwork that the 50 state strategy put in place will pay off.

[Eurobabe]

10. Denny, did you let one fly??

[warrens]

11. Outside chance Hastert loses too

Money is pouring in to his challenger, and Clinton/Obama/Durbin are all reported to be stopping in the district to support him and raise more money.

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

12. Listened to the Reichert-Burner debate the other night.

She's very good.

And he's very bad.

[WCGreen]

5. A potential realigning election....

After only 12 years, that is really a quick turnaround... They usually go in 20-30 year cycles...

[Oak2004]

8. I guess that must mean the modern GOP is a lot smarter than other parties

After all, they're finishing their "course" in only half the time

[aquart]

6. My favorite headline of the the week.

[Qutzupalotl]

9. Let's hear it again for Howard Dean's 50-state strategy!