October 25, 2006
Schumer And Dole Duel At The Press Club
Updated Race Rankings: House **** Senate **** Governors
In a joint appearance today at the National Press Club, NRSC Chair Elizabeth Dole (R-NC) and DSCC Chair Chuck Schumer (D-NY) predictably sought to raise hopes and lower expectations -- respectively – thirteen days before midterm elections.
“No one on our side of the Senate is breaking out the champagne just yet,” Schumer said in his opening remarks. He stopped short of saying his camp would retake the majority, saying Democrats were “on the edge of being able to take back the Senate.” In his usual bout of partisan rhetoric, Schumer criticized the Bush administration for failed policies and something about a "rubber stamp." He noted that GOP Senate candidates don’t talk about Iraq or use the words “Bush” or “Republican” in their advertisements.
Dole responded to argue otherwise and gave as an example Minnesota Senate candidate and Rep. Mark Kennedy recent ad on the situation in Iraq. She quoted the disclaimer at the end of the spot: “I approve this message, even though I know it may not be what you want to hear.”
But overall Dole mostly sought to stress how historically difficult midterm elections are for the party in the White House, especially Presidents in their second term. “Republicans candidates support President Bush and the Iraq War,” Dole said. But she added, moments later, that “President Bush is not on the ballot.”
Schumer also stressed his camp was preparing to take on the strong Republican 72-hour turnout machine, and said his DSCC has created new voter files and GOTV plans in Missouri and Montana in response. “We are in good shape when it comes to turnout organization,” he said. “We don’t have their system, but the gap is considerably less.”
Neither would discuss FEC reports due tomorrow nor make predictions on specific races, although Dole strongly defended Schumer’s allegations that the NRSC had not spent any money for Rick Santorum’s race in Pennsylvania. “I’m not making predictions on which seats will win. But we will hold majority in the Senate,” she said. [SHIRA TOEPLITZ]
Posted at 04:40 PM
Comments
Post a comment
The Watergate · 600 New Hampshire Ave., NW
Washington, DC 20037
202-739-8400 · fax 202-833-8069
NationalJournal.com is an Atlantic Media publication.
