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NRCC Attacks Dems On Stimulus

by: Colorado Pols

Fri Feb 13, 2009 at 15:10:05 PM MST

The National Republican Campaign Committee (NRCC) is finally putting its money where its mouth has been. A round of radio ads targeting 30 Democrats in conservative or swing districts began airing Friday - among the targets were freshman Rep. Betsy Markey and third-term Rep. John Salazar of Colorado - who plan to vote in favor of the $790 billion economic stimulus package.
The 60-second radio ads blast Markey and Salazar "for supporting a trillion-dollar spending bill chock full of wasteful Washington spending instead of working across the aisle to create real jobs for struggling middle-class families," according to an NRCC release. Both ads say the Democrats promised to be frugal - quoting a newspaper column by Salazar and Markey campaign ads - and then list what has become a standard Republican litany: that the bill is "packed with pork: $75 million for smoking cessation, $50 million for the National Endowment of the Arts, $335 million to treat sexually transmitted diseases, and $600 million for government employees' vehicles."
Listen to the Salazar ad here and the Markey ad here. Both ads are scheduled to run for one week, a spokesman for the NRCC said. He declined to say how much the NRCC is spending on the campaign...
Markey and Salazar are also the only Colorado Democrats representing districts carried - if only by a few points - by John McCain in the 2008 election. Matthew Reichbach finds some common traits among targeted Democrats - they all hail from congressional districts that have been friendly to Republicans in recent years...

Make no mistake: the small markets being targeted are not costly, which is a good thing given that the NRCC is by all accounts next to broke. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) is hammering away in swing Republican districts over the stimulus, too, so it's not like this is a one-sided event--okay, maybe a little given the disproportionate amount of money available to the DCCC right now. But you have to ask yourself, do they really need to start campaigning one month into a 24-month term?

Colorado Pols :: NRCC Attacks Dems On Stimulus

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NRCC Attacks Dems On Stimulus | 48 comments

Keep wasting money NRCC

Your campaign against Markey was oh so effective last year, how could it possibly fail twice?

by: redstateblues @ Fri Feb 13, 2009 at 22:16:52 PM UTC

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Marilyn

Won't be running.

Markey better start looking for work.

by: Laughing Boy @ Fri Feb 13, 2009 at 22:19:39 PM UTC

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That's a fair point

but I think your optimism is a little premature. Her other votes could very well end up canceling out any negative feelings on this one.

by: redstateblues @ Fri Feb 13, 2009 at 22:22:40 PM UTC

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We'll see

If CO has really changed, or if people were just sick of the war and of Bush. She's in a pretty red area.

She also strikes me as being nearly as nasty and prickly as Marilyn is.

BTW, you've got mail.

by: Laughing Boy @ Fri Feb 13, 2009 at 22:24:49 PM UTC

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don't be crazy

...Betsy is nowhere near as repugnant and hateful as Musgrave. MM was in a rare class of assholes.

Anyhoo, because of this damn website, I tried My Brother's Bar again. To my surprise, I actually enjoyed it, mostly. At least it was much better than my last couple visits (about 2 years ago).

I'm not as sweet as I used to be.

by: Jambalaya @ Fri Feb 13, 2009 at 22:54:29 PM UTC

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Sweet!

Maybe we'll have to make that the next meetup...

I have to meet Ray. I just do.

by: Laughing Boy @ Fri Feb 13, 2009 at 22:55:36 PM UTC

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Hey LB

I never got your e-mail. Maybe try sending it again (elliott_33 at hot mail dot com), or send it to the gmail address in my pols profile.

by: redstateblues @ Fri Feb 13, 2009 at 23:07:41 PM UTC

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Also, the Republican edge in voter registration in the 4th CD has dropped precipitously

In only two years between 2006 and 2008, the Republican registration edge over the Democrats declined by 25% in Larimer County, by 10% in Weld county, by 7% in both Morgan and Logan counties and by 5% in Sedgewick County. There is definietly a change in the northern half of the 4th CD in favor of the Democats. Markey won last year but Bill Ritter won Sedgewick County in 2006 (the first statewide Democrat in memory to do so)and he won Weld by a plurality and almost won Logan County. My point is obvious, the Republican brand in the 4th CD is wearing thin and declining.

by: Republican 36 @ Fri Feb 13, 2009 at 22:40:07 PM UTC

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It was...

Ritter isn't exactly tearing up the polls at the moment, and Congress' approval rating was around 9% recently.

I hope Liberal Democrats like you continue to believe that there is no pendulum.

by: Laughing Boy @ Fri Feb 13, 2009 at 22:49:17 PM UTC

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In the latest Gallup Poll this week

the approval rating of Democrats in Congress is 48% and for congressional Republicans it is 31%.

According to the same poll 80% of the population believes it is important or critically important to enact the stimuls plan.

by: Republican 36 @ Fri Feb 13, 2009 at 23:47:50 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

I forgot to mention that Governor Ritter's approval rating at the end of January 2009

was 58% approved of his handling of the governor's office and 28% disapproved. His positives over negatives are 2 to 1, exactly where he should be.

by: Republican 36 @ Sat Feb 14, 2009 at 00:00:25 AM UTC

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There's a difference...

between being unsatisfied with Congress and being unsatisfied with your actual Representative.

"Thank you for putting your rank political motives on display." - ArapaGOP

by: Aristotle @ Sat Feb 14, 2009 at 01:29:08 AM UTC

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Don't bother LB with facts

He'll be using that 9 percent figure for the foreseeable future.

by: RedGreen @ Sat Feb 14, 2009 at 01:50:49 AM UTC

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Bernie Madoff for Secretary of Commerce

Obama needs someone who knows how to run his Pelosi Scheme.

by: Another skeptic @ Sat Feb 14, 2009 at 22:04:19 PM UTC

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This means what?

n/t

Today, you're either going to get better or you're going to get worse, but you're never going to be the same. Which one will it be? --Joseph V. Paterno

by: Ralphie @ Sun Feb 15, 2009 at 02:02:29 AM UTC

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So funny

I forgot to laugh.

by: RedGreen @ Sun Feb 15, 2009 at 02:33:35 AM UTC

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Markey just sent me email asking for money

Seemed unnecessary before, maybe not anymore.

"Have a Bobby bar! My dad made them." --Jon Huntsman Jr.

by: sxp151 @ Fri Feb 13, 2009 at 22:23:22 PM UTC

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My question is

Who's risking more by voting yes, Markey or Salazar?

by: redstateblues @ Fri Feb 13, 2009 at 22:24:18 PM UTC

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I'd be surprised if the stimulus is really unpopular

in either of their districts. Did anyone ever do a district-by-district analysis of the Presidential results? (Obviously it was done by county, but I never saw anyone compile it.)

I would guess a district that voted for Obama would support him at least for a few weeks, and probably also his first big proposal.

Though if I had to compare, definitely Markey risks more doing anything since she won by a smaller margin and it's her first term.

"Have a Bobby bar! My dad made them." --Jon Huntsman Jr.

by: sxp151 @ Fri Feb 13, 2009 at 22:35:49 PM UTC

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Link in the story above

to the Swing State project analysis -- McCain carried both the 3rd and 4th by a couple points.

by: RedGreen @ Fri Feb 13, 2009 at 23:01:30 PM UTC

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Thanks, good to know

I'd been curious about it for a long time.

"Have a Bobby bar! My dad made them." --Jon Huntsman Jr.

by: sxp151 @ Fri Feb 13, 2009 at 23:07:21 PM UTC

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Great link RG

I wish I would have seen that before I added up CD-3 by hand. :)

by: redstateblues @ Fri Feb 13, 2009 at 23:09:25 PM UTC

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Good question about CD-3 and CD-4 presidential voting

(too lazy to do CD-4 too)

CD-3:

Out of 29 counties, Obama won 13, and McCain won 16.

Total votes: McCain: 160,824, Obama: 149,361

So even with high Dem turnout, CD-3 is solidly Republican.

by: redstateblues @ Fri Feb 13, 2009 at 23:02:05 PM UTC

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crunch the numbers!

...how many folks voted for McCain and John Salazar. I know it's speculative, but that's why I trust it.

I'm not as sweet as I used to be.

by: Jambalaya @ Fri Feb 13, 2009 at 23:09:34 PM UTC

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Is that readily available info?

Do we know how each person voted on each candidate/issue?

If it is, I'd like to see that too.

by: redstateblues @ Fri Feb 13, 2009 at 23:10:46 PM UTC

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I assume not, but that's why I wanted you to speculate!

I'm not as sweet as I used to be.

by: Jambalaya @ Fri Feb 13, 2009 at 23:12:21 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

In that case

35% of McCain voters supported Salazar.

It's on the internet, so it must be true!

by: redstateblues @ Fri Feb 13, 2009 at 23:13:22 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

At least 37,479

subtracting Obama's total from Salazar's total, and also subtracting the people who voted for Senator and not President.

And given the fact that it's a math teacher computing the numbers, there's a margin of error of about 50%. (Never let a mathematician compute a tip.)

"Have a Bobby bar! My dad made them." --Jon Huntsman Jr.

by: sxp151 @ Fri Feb 13, 2009 at 23:17:32 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

thanks!

I assume you mean "congressman" not "senator." Math teachers were always my heroes in school (my schools were short on heroes).

I'm not as sweet as I used to be.

by: Jambalaya @ Fri Feb 13, 2009 at 23:22:17 PM UTC

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Looks like CD-4 was closer

from the link RedGreen pointed me to, it was 49-50 (Obama lost only by a little).

Rather surprising considering Markey's margin. I guess people really do just dislike Musgrave.

"Have a Bobby bar! My dad made them." --Jon Huntsman Jr.

by: sxp151 @ Fri Feb 13, 2009 at 23:10:34 PM UTC

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The fact that it was that close

Is a testament to the shifting party affiliation numbers in CD-4.

Although LB's point about people getting burnt out on Bush and the war, and then taking it out on GOP incumbents is a valid one.

by: redstateblues @ Fri Feb 13, 2009 at 23:12:23 PM UTC

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I'm shocked the DNCC is not out protecting its team

Flush with cash they resort to making freshman go out on a collecting spree when the freshman are working hard to pass the largest OINKER in the history of the world.

by: Libertad @ Fri Feb 13, 2009 at 22:35:00 PM UTC

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The DNCC isn't as dumb as its GOP counterpart. They're not going to waste money on ads 20 months before the election.

Whether or not their votes have any effect on their re-election chances, people aren't going to remember that the NRCC told them it was bad 600 days earlier.

by: redstateblues @ Fri Feb 13, 2009 at 22:38:36 PM UTC

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Not exactly.

When we do it, though, it's cool. :)

"Have a Bobby bar! My dad made them." --Jon Huntsman Jr.

by: sxp151 @ Fri Feb 13, 2009 at 22:41:21 PM UTC

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Well, I still think it's a waste of money.

Isn't that what the "Colorado Model" is for?

by: redstateblues @ Fri Feb 13, 2009 at 23:04:24 PM UTC

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Proving yet again that what you think and reality are exclusive

Now what a waste of money is ... that OINKER she's working so hard to pass. That is, pass on to you in the form of future tax obligations and trickle down effects after the boys at the U.S. Chamber get their "big business" fairshare.

by: Libertad @ Sat Feb 14, 2009 at 00:24:35 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Sayeth Bob Ewegen

How's that wide stance working out for you Libertine?

by: redstateblues @ Sat Feb 14, 2009 at 00:43:50 AM UTC

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Speaking of Bob

I do miss his DP columns. My guess is he'd be favoring this 'corrupt corporate' bailout (my words), while cutting to pieces half the dollars being pissed away.

by: Libertad @ Sat Feb 14, 2009 at 15:29:12 PM UTC

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The DNCC is on offense

in other swing districts. It's the Republicans who are desperate to win back what they lost. This is a piddling waste of money that will be forgotten in three weeks; it was only spent in reaction to Democratic spending.

"Have a Bobby bar! My dad made them." --Jon Huntsman Jr.

by: sxp151 @ Fri Feb 13, 2009 at 22:39:24 PM UTC

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Republicans on the losing side of history. Again.

As America slid into the Great Depression, Hoover's plan was alarmingly close to modern Republicans. "Loans" to business, tax cuts, no help for the guy on the street. Hoover felt that assisting the starving would make them weak and dependent. FDR, to at least some degree, put honest paid for labor cash into the working man's hands. Equally important, he gave them hope.

In 1993 not ONE Republican voted for Clinton's budget which gave us unprecedented prosperity while while cutting government expenses. Remember that 2% unemployment rate in some places?

So here we are once again in a Republican caused Repression and we hear the same arguments. NOW they are suddenly concerned about the debt we are handing to our children. Not so concerned about the cost of the Iraq War or Reagan's budget busting spending for our kiddies, were they? The Dems give them tax cuts and fund their Wall St. banks and they STILL don't vote for the bill.

Well, fuck you. I hope Reid and Pelosi grow bigger ones and shove government programs for the poor and the middle classes down your caviar holes.

I recall another plutocrat's observation when the populace was hungry: "Let them eat cake."

"Politics determines who has the power, not who has the truth." Paul Krugman, 9/2010

by: parsingreality @ Fri Feb 13, 2009 at 23:43:21 PM UTC

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One point worth making

The Dems give (Republicans their) tax cuts

Little noticed in all the ruckus over pork ($50 million for the NEA! why, that's a full 0.006 percent of the bill and we won't stand for it!) is that Obama is keeping his campaign promise to give the middle class the biggest tax cut in history. Signed, sealed, delivered.

by: RedGreen @ Sat Feb 14, 2009 at 01:54:47 AM UTC

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Not quite delivered.....

I've not heard one thing about restructuring of the income tax progression rate. That's what Obama was talking about on the campaign trail. (You know, Joe the Moron making $250K.)

"Politics determines who has the power, not who has the truth." Paul Krugman, 9/2010

by: parsingreality @ Sat Feb 14, 2009 at 02:06:05 AM UTC

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This shows incredible desperation on the part of the NRCC

First off, John Salazar owns his seat. Any money spent there is a complete waste. If that is where they need to fight they are in deep doo-doo.

Now Markey is a seat they should try to win back. But I think they are mis-calculating here figuring that it was how odious MM was that let Markey win. Musgrave was horrible enough it gave Markey another 5 points, but so does incumbency.

What they are missing is that this are, like the state, is shifting Democratic. And Markey is focused 101% on her next election. Every single thing she does is based on what plays best for re-election. And she does that well.

CD-4 will become for the Republicans what it used to be for the Democrats, a district that they will keep investing in, where they will keep coming close, but it will always break their heart.

Where all the cool kids will be on Saturday - Code War!

by: DavidThi808 @ Sat Feb 14, 2009 at 02:46:27 AM UTC

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A lot of it depends

on the state of the economy in 2010. If things get worse, and don't appear to be getting better, than every Dem is in trouble--no one more so than President Obama and his chances at re-election.

by: redstateblues @ Sat Feb 14, 2009 at 02:48:35 AM UTC

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Maybe...

In the case of FDR they realized that he faced a very difficult problem and it would take time.

What's interesting is the Republicans are doubling down on the recession continuing. If the economy turns around then the Republicans are in even more trouble because they fought the stimulus - and it worked.

Where all the cool kids will be on Saturday - Code War!

by: DavidThi808 @ Sat Feb 14, 2009 at 02:57:30 AM UTC

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yea, but they have history

the GD took a long time to recover from and I fear today's NYT biz article on not learning from Japan is spot on:

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02...

I think two years is too soon for voters to be reactionary on this, but if we're still stagnant in 3 years then 2012 is going to look pretty bleak for the dems

In fact, I just registered
www.veryliberalagitatedpissedoffpeoplewithnoorganization.com
-Laughing Boy

by: indipol @ Sat Feb 14, 2009 at 03:17:52 AM UTC

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That's a must read!

It's deja vu all over again with no one heeding Santayana's observation. Krugman is a voice in the wilderness saying that we need to follow military concepts, maximum force concentrated. By not following that concept we were ensured to piss away lives and money in Iraq.

Sweden has been there, Japan has been there, and the US is acting like this has never happened before.

I've been reading about the Great Depression, the New Deal, the bank holidays, etc. Until FDR stabilized the banks, nothing was going to happen with other economic stimulus.

Today we have hundreds of billions of dollars of TARP funds going to banks that aren't even willing to tell us what they are doing with the money.

We are in much deeper doo-doo than any two year effort will fix.

"Politics determines who has the power, not who has the truth." Paul Krugman, 9/2010

by: parsingreality @ Mon Feb 16, 2009 at 03:19:07 AM UTC

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snicker snicker

my hope is that Markey and every other "vulnerable" Dem runs to the stimulus, not away from it. If they come out and hammer "You're goddamned right I voted for the stimulus!!" over and over they're going to cream any hapless R that comes up to whine about it. The R's just aren't going to be able to get out ahead of this, especially when the tax bills start going down right in front of the very eyes of all those squishy middle voters.

In fact, I just registered
www.veryliberalagitatedpissedoffpeoplewithnoorganization.com
-Laughing Boy

by: indipol @ Sat Feb 14, 2009 at 03:14:53 AM UTC

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NRCC Attacks Dems On Stimulus | 48 comments