The Democratic National Committee, noticing an improvement in public approval for health care reform once there was finally some Congressional action on it, is using television to bolster the campaigns of 25 Democrats who voted in favor, and radio to attack 10 Republicans who opposed it.
Democrats are faced with the prospects of playing defense this year under almost any circumstances. There is the historical tendency for the party in the White House to lose members on the Hill during the first midterm. On top of that, the wide-ranging success Democrats enjoyed in the last two election cycles leave them with an unusually large number of House freshman and sophomores in districts that are either battleground or traditionally Republican.
According to Chris Cillizza in the Washington Post, in order to try to get back on offense, DNC is putting out 30-second congratulatory television commercials in 25 districts. It will buy 10 60-second radio commercials to attack Republicans in competitive districts.
Cillizza says Health Care for America Now and the American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees are also planning seven-figure buys in support of Democrats.
RBR-TVBR observation: Both parties are thinking that health care will be a powerful weapon in their campaign arsenals this year. It remains to be seen which is right. But one thing is for sure – it will still be a factor in driving political spending.
