RUMOR: The RNC About To Pull The Plug On Their McCain Ads???

[writes3000]

So this rumor says....

http://crookedtimber.org/2008/10/10/a-bit-of-horserace-commentary/


A bit of horserace commentary

by Henry on October 10, 2008

So I hear (via a prominent member of the sane Republican faction) that the word on the right side of the street is that the Republican National Committee is about to pull the plug on its joint ads with the McCain campaign, and devote its resources instead to trying to save a couple of the senators who are at serious risk of losing their seats. Now this is gossip, albeit of the high class variety; take it with the requisite pinch of salt. But it points to some real vulnerabilities in the McCain campaign’s finances. McCain’s decision to opt for public funding has meant that he’s had enormous difficulty competing with the Obama money raising machine. He’s been able to partly compensate by co-financing ads with the RNC (this skirts the limits of the legislation that he himself co-wrote but is just about legal). This has kept him competitive in TV advertising, albeit still significantly outgunned. But if the Republicans are as worried as they should be about the impending elections, there will be a lot of calls on that money, and the RNC is going to have to make some tough choices. Should it keep spending money on the presidential campaign in the hope that McCain will win despite the polls, or should it instead try to minimize the damage of a McCain defeat by doing its best to stop the Democrats from making big gains in the Senate? Decisions, decisions …

[orestes]

1. The thing is, if the RNC does this

doesn't it free up some of Obama's and the DNC's funds to be used to benefit down ticket races? Not sure if the Repubs really have any good options to use at this juncture.

[Marsala]

2. The alternative is wasting tens or hundreds of millions on McCain's doomed campaign

I think trying to save Senate seats is their best bet. Fortunately for us, it's probably too late for them to save Dole or Coleman.

[orestes]

3. True, but what Im saying is

by the RNC taking pressure of Obama to spend money in some areas, can't Obama and the DNC then spend money to benefit the down ticket races in areas that the RNC is turning their funding to? That is, it seems like it might be a bit of a wash either way.

[writes3000]

5. Interesting. I wonder if the Obama campaign can give their money to the DNC for that.

Really good question.

[blm]

4. RNC just started up with heavy rotation ads for Dole in NC. I noticed it yesterday and today.

.

[demokatgurrl]

6. Like you said, rumor. They're not doing that

that would admit defeat. They're delusional and besides, the have to feed the angry mob they spawned.

[FLyellowdog]

9. If they actually do that wouldn't that calm down some of the angry right?

Or just make them worse? I'm wondering if "out of sight, out of mind" would apply.

[gravity]

7. It sounds reasonable

[Matariki]

8. Aha! That explains McCain's sudden found 'respect' for Obama.

[FLyellowdog]

12. Good point.

[davepc]

10. They did this to Dole in '96 didn't they?

[TexasObserver]

11. I've been expecting this to happen. The GOP has to try to save congressional seats.

They can be more competitive in key senate and house races with money they will flush if they spend it on McCain.

It's a lot easier to move a congressional district with money for media than a state.