NRCC's first ad targets Donnelly
| The National Republican Congressional Committee is launching its TV campaign blitz, hammering Indiana Rep. Joe Donnelly as a pawn of Democratic leaders.
The 30-second ad, airing in the South Bend media market, is the first of the cycle for the NRCC, which has laid out plans to invest $22 million in 41 districts across the nation. House Republican campaign officials, looking to erase the 78-seat Democratic majority, plan to expand the TV offensive in the coming weeks. Party officials declined to specify how much they were spending to run the ad, which begins airing Monday, but an aide called the buy “significant.” In their ad, Republicans balk at Donnelly’s efforts to brand himself as an independent-minded, conservative Democrat who is not afraid to break party ranks. Donnelly has gone so far as to air a TV ad that slams “Nancy Pelosi’s energy tax.” The NRCC ad highlights Donnelly’s support for the “Obama-Pelosi” health care bill, Wall Street bailout and $787 billion economic stimulus package before asking, “Now Joe Donnelly wants us to believe he’s independent?” Donnelly campaign manager Mike Schmuhl fired back, saying: “Joe Donnelly’s independence is reflected by his pro-life, pro-gun, anti-amnesty positions, as well as his opposition to cap-and-trade.” Donnelly, a second-term Democrat who skated to reelection last cycle despite occupying a GOP-leaning 2nd District, faces a competitive race against state Rep. Jackie Walorski. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee launched its independent expenditure campaign last week with a spot hammering Wisconsin Republican Sean Duffy. The DCCC, which holds a $14 million cash advantage over the NRCC, has outlined plans to run $49 million worth of ads in 60 districts in an effort to protect its imperiled majority. |