Donnelly Is NRCC's First TV Targetv

Rep. Joe Donnelly (D-IN 02) is the NRCC’s initial target of the general election, as the committee’s independent expenditure arm began airing its first TV ad against the South Bend Democrat today.

The ad attacks Donnelly for claiming he’s independent, and notes he votes with Speaker Nancy Pelosi 88% of the time. It also points out his recent votes for the health care bill, the “Wall Street bailout” and the stimulus. The ad is running in the South Bend media market.

Donnelly has had a big head start in the TV ad wars, as he has been on the airwaves since the middle of July. In his ads, he’s attacked state Rep. Jackie Walorski (D) for her positions on the Fair Tax and Social Security. He’s also attempted to distance himself from Pres. Obama and Pelosi by saying (over their pictures) that he doesn’t work for the “Washington crowd.”

Walorski, who was at a $1M to $300K cash disadvantage to Donnlly at the end of June, didn’t begin airing her first TV spot until last week.

Perhaps because of this big head start, Donnelly has enjoyed a comfortable lead in most early polling. But GOPers still believe him to be vulnerable in this marginal CD. It went strongly for Obama in ’08, but has been especially hard hit in this recession.

The NRCC ad debut comes after the DCCC kicked off its indie expenditure campaign earlier this week by targeting ex-Real World star Sean Duffy (R), who is attempting to pick off retiring Rep. David Obey’s (D-WI 07) seat.

The early moves telegraph each party’s strategy for the fall. The NRCC — which released plans last month to air $22M worth of TV ads in roughly 40 Dem CDs — will clearly be on the offense, while the DCCC — who has reserved $49M worth of ad time in nearly 60 Dem-held CDs — will be on defense.