DNC Ad Attacks McConnell In Kentucky -- A Peculiar Choice
The Democratic National Committee has this new TV ad in Kentucky, set to run on cable in the Lexington and Louisville media markets, attacking Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell for having supported the Bush agenda, and now obstructing the Obama agenda:
"But this year -- when it came to supporting legislation to create and protect Kentucky jobs -- he said," the announcer says, followed by audio of McConnell's voice: "No."
To be perfectly blunt, this seems like an odd choice of how to spend party resources. McConnell was just re-elected in 2008, and his home state of Kentucky voted for John McCain in a 58%-41% landslide.
"He should still care about what his constituents think - and hopefully it'll send a message to others," said DNC spokesman Brad Woodhouse in an e-mail to TPM, when asked why the DNC was doing this.
Josh
Matt
Eric
Brian
He won by an uncomfortably thin 53-47% margin in 2008. I don't think there's any harm in reminding him of that. I will never complain on the rare occasions when the Democratic Party actually gets a bit aggressive.
July 2, 2009 8:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
Good comments, SLB. Mitch is also *very* easy to dislike, so the temptation must have been powerful.
July 3, 2009 5:11 AM | Reply | Permalink
I'm not sure if it will work. Bunning is more vulnerable. But, why not.
July 2, 2009 9:54 PM | Reply | Permalink
It shows how much money the DNC is awash in. They would never waste money in KY if they didn't have more than they knew what to do with.
July 3, 2009 12:50 AM | Reply | Permalink
And maybe that's the real message -- intended not so much for the voters of Kentucky as for Mitch himself: "Play nicer, or we'll really be gunning for you next time around. And we'll have the bucks to take you out."
July 3, 2009 4:46 AM | Reply | Permalink
Why mention McCain's margin over Obama but not McConnell's margin over Lundsford, which, as mentioned above, was only 6 points? This doesn't seem so hard to understand when you realize that as party leader McConnell only won by that much.
July 3, 2009 11:48 AM | Reply | Permalink
Using the money to attack McConnell is wasted money UNLESS, as acanuk says, they are firing a very noticable shot across his bow, letting him know they will play rough in the next cycle.
What bothers me is they asked me yesterday for money to fund the fight for healthcare reform. I told them to go get it from Max Baucus.
Until the DNC can get its party in line, I'll not spend another dime to help them, even though I'd LOVE to see McConnell get whupped.
July 3, 2009 12:12 PM | Reply | Permalink
Greg Sargent, who is linking to this article on his website the plumline, just responded to an e-mail I sent him. He describe McConnell has having won in a landslide, but when I point out the fact that it was just 53-47%, he acknowledges that I have a good point.
Why not go after a party leader who can't do any better in his own reelection campaign?
July 3, 2009 1:01 PM | Reply | Permalink