AK-SEN

DSCC Ad: 'Lisa Murkowski Has Gone Washington' (VIDEO)

Eric Kleefeld | October 30, 2010, 2:37PM

Ad from the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, "Turned Her Back"

The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee has a new ad in the Alaska Senate race attacking Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski as the GOPer tries to win re-election in a nearly unprecedented write-in campaign.

The ad casts Murkowski as a Washington insider who no longer represents the state: "Maybe it was the fancy cocktail parties. Or all those pretty monuments. Whatever the reason - Lisa Murkowski has gone Washington."

The announcer then attacks Murkowski for having voted for deficit-raising budgets in 2003 and 2005, and for supporting Social Security privatization -- and for voting for the TARP Wall Street bailout. TARP, of course, was actively supported by the Democratic leadership and then-Senator Barack Obama (D-IL), alongside then-President George W. Bush and the Republican leadership.

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WV-SEN

DSCC Ad: 'Would John Raese Represent West Virginia -- Or Florida?' (VIDEO)

Eric Kleefeld | October 27, 2010, 3:56PM

Ad from the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, "Florida"

The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee has a new ad in the West Virginia Senate race, casting Republican nominee John Raese as an out-of-touch businessman -- who they say really lives in Florida.

"Would John Raese represent West Virginia -- or Florida?" the announcer says. "The Raeses have a mansion in Palm Beach, and signed an official form calling Florida their home. His wife even registered to vote there.

"So maybe he should be Florida's Senator, because John Raese just doesn't get us. Opposing the minimum wage, and siding with China on steel. That might be okay with the CEOs at the club in Florida. But around here, it's just out of touch."

The TPM Poll Average gives Democratic Gov. Joe Manchin a narrow lead of 47.3%-46.4%.

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NV-SEN

DSCC Ad In Nevada: 'You Want To Send A Message To Washington -- But Sharron Angle?' (VIDEO)

Eric Kleefeld | October 27, 2010, 11:59AM

Ad from the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, "Two Candidates"

The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee has a new ad in the Nevada Senate race, making an odd sell in the effort to save Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid.

The ad briefly re-employs the motif from their previous spot, using the metaphor of the frustrated voter as a woman boxing against a punching bag. "It's frustrating," the announcer says. "You want to send a message to Washington -- but Sharron Angle?

"Sharron Angle says it's not a Senator's job to help create jobs. Sharron Angle says the unemployed are 'spoiled.' She wants to phase out Social Security and Medicare. Two candidates: Harry Reid will fight for Nevada jobs and defend Social Security and Medicare. Sharron Angle will cost us, and hurt our economy. Vote 'No' on Sharron Angle."

The TPM Poll Average gives Angle a lead of 49.3%-46.9%.

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WV-SEN

DSCC Ad Hits Raese On Minimum Wage, Trade (VIDEO)

Eric Kleefeld | October 21, 2010, 4:55PM

From a DSCC campaign ad, "Around Here"

The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee has a new ad in the West Virginia Senate race, attacking Republican businessman John Raese as being out of touch with working people.

"John Raese opposes the minimum wage. But around here, we know it's about a second job to help pay bills," the announcer says. "Raese opposes cracking down on China's unfair trade practices. We know it's about fairness, a chance to compete. And Raese signed a pledge that protected tax breaks for corporations sending jobs overseas. We know 'Made in America' should mean something again. And we know, West Virginia can't afford John Raese."

The TPM Poll Average gives Raese a narrow lead of 46.8%-45.6% over Democratic Gov. Joe Manchin.

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IL-SEN

DSCC Ad: 'Mark Kirk Didn't Tell The Truth' About His Military Record (VIDEO)

Eric Kleefeld | October 21, 2010, 4:34PM

DSCC ad, "Honor"

The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee has a new ad in the Illinois Senate race, with veterans attacking Republican nominee Mark Kirk for his past false statements about his military record, and his votes against combat bonuses and job training for veterans.

"Honor and integrity," says one veteran. "That's what military service is all about."

"But Mark Kirk didn't tell the truth about his," another says.

After veterans go through Kirk's various votes, one of them concludes: "Mark Kirk serves himself -- not us."

The TPM Poll Average gives Kirk 44.1%, Democratic nominee Alexi Giannoulias 42.3%, and Green Party candidate LeAlan Jones 3.6%.

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NV-SEN

DSCC Ad In Nevada: 'Work That Anger Out In The Ring,' Don't Vote For Angle (VIDEO)

Eric Kleefeld | October 19, 2010, 2:46PM

From a DSCC campaign ad, "Boxer"

The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee has a new ad in the Nevada Senate race, aiming to persuade the state's voters that while times certainly are tough, they would be worse with Sharron Angle -- and it employs an interesting metaphor for the angry voter.

The ad shows a woman training with boxing gloves, punching and kicking against a large punching bag. "You're angry, you're frustrated at Washington," the announcer says. "Think how much angrier you'll be if Sharron Angle has her way and Social Security and Medicare are phased out, and she keeps her promise to not fight for Nevada jobs.

"So work that anger out in the ring, because voting for Sharron Angle is only going to hurt yourself."

The woman then concludes, "I can't vote for Sharron Angle."

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DSCC

Outside Groups Dominate Campaign Ad Spending In 2010 (CHARTS)

Brian Beutler | October 18, 2010, 10:04AM

Karl Rove

Anonymous outside interests have gone from being a relatively minor source of funding for campaign-season television ads to being the dominant player in 2010, according to figures compiled by the Sunlight Foundation.

A new (and effective) Democratic messaging strategy -- criticizing Republicans and their conservative backers for letting outside, anonymously funded groups run ads attacking candidates -- isn't an example of a party desperately looking for a new bogeyman. It's backed up by data, freely available from the Federal Elections Committee.

The sea change is largely the result of the Supreme Court's Citizens United ruling, overturning a ban preventing pressure groups and corporations from running so-called independent expenditure ads for or against a candidate (these are distinct from issue ads, which only mention candidates vis-a-vis their policy positions). As a result of that shift, the official party committees and candidates face direct contribution limits and must disclose their funders. PACs have a bit more leeway -- they still face disclosure rules, but no donation limits and can make unlimited independent expenditures. Groups organized as non-profits, though, are unencumbered: they can take in as much money as they want, without having to disclose any of their donors.

The result has been extraordinary.

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CT-SEN

DSCC Ad Blasts Linda McMahon For Dead Wrestlers (VIDEO)

Eric Kleefeld | October 14, 2010, 2:16PM

From a DSCC campaign ad, "Contracts."

The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee has a new ad in the Connecticut Senate race, going after her for an issue that has sometimes dogged her during this race: The deaths of current and former World Wrestling Entertainment actors.

[TPM SLIDESHOW: Bringing The Smackdown: Linda McMahon's Campaign For Senate, And Her Colorful Pro-Wrestling Past]

"Linda McMahon brags about her business experience," the announcer says. "The real story? Her company violated safety standards; was criticized for tolerating steroid and drug use; inserted death clauses in workers' contracts, in order to avoid responsibility for their deaths.

"The record? Seventeen of her former workers under age 50 have died. Linda McMahon: A bad CEO -- a worse Senator."

A fun phrase, this "death clauses" stuff. It's a lot like "death panels" -- but not totally fictional.

The TPM Poll Average gives Democratic nominee Richard Blumenthal a lead of 51.6%-43.3%.

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WV-SEN

DSCC Ad Attacks Raese On Jobs, Minimum Wage In WV-SEN Race (VIDEO)

Eric Kleefeld | October 14, 2010, 10:46AM

From a DSCC campaign ad, "Spreadsheet."

The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee has a new ad in the West Virginia Senate race, employing a populist touch to attack Republican nominee John Raese as an out-of-touch big businessman.

"Around here, jobs are more than where you work. They're food on the table, and a better quality of life," the announcer says. "John Raese doesn't get that. How could he not pay worker's comp? Eliminate the minimum wage? Or sign a pledge that protected tax breaks for corporations sending jobs overseas?

"John Raese's job is CEO. So for him, maybe jobs are just another line on a spreadsheet. But around here, we know better."

The TPM Poll Average gives Raese a lead of 48.4%-45.4% over Democratic Gov. Joe Manchin.

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CT-SEN

Dem Ads Hammer McMahon As 'Bad CEO' (VIDEO)

Eric Kleefeld | October 4, 2010, 11:35AM

From a DSCC ad, "Bad."

Democrats have unloaded some new attack ads against Linda McMahon in the Connecticut Senate race, which has been getting close in recent weeks.

[TPM SLIDESHOW: Bringing The Smackdown: Linda McMahon's Campaign For Senate, And Her Colorful Pro-Wrestling Past]

A spot from the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee

"The kind of CEO Linda McMahon was, is the kind of Senator she'd be. As CEO, McMahon laid off workers, yet took millions in bonuses. No wonder she opposes Wall Street reform. McMahon spent thousands on lobbyists to get millions in tax breaks for herself. Of course she's supporting more corporate tax breaks as Senator. Linda McMahon -- a bad CEO -- a worse Senator."

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