October 30, 2006
House Race Hotline Update: Bass Fishing
Updated Race Rankings: House **** Senate **** Governors
The NRCC just spent $365K on an ad in Rep. Charlie Bass' (R-NH 02) CD. Their last-minute buy suggests GOPers have newfound concerns about holding onto Bass' seat.
Bass is running in a Dem-leaning CD, but he's increased his margins of victory each cycle. He's distanced himself from the GOP in ads while criticizing wasteful spending. But atty. Paul Hodes (D), in his second run, has relentlessly attacked Bass over the war in Iraq.
They each have opposite problems. Hodes has gotten traction for his strident criticism of Bass, but that's his only claim-to-fame. Polls show many voters still don't know much about him. Hodes' ads have also lacked the production quality of other funded candidates. But Bass hasn't spent time responding to Hodes, preferring to highlight his own record.
The DCCC is now going up with a sizable ad buy of their own, and their internal polling suggests the race is tied. Meanwhile, John McCain and Laura Bush are providing Bass with last-minute help.
Will all politics be local, or will the GOP label be too costly for Bass this time? [JOSH KRAUSHAAR]
Posted at 08:15 AM
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