DELAY'S PRIMARY ELECTION OPPONENT LAUNCHES TV ADS

[Ilsa]

http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=16100532&BRD=1994&PAG=461&dept_id=339096&rfi=6

HOUSTON (AP) - Rep. Tom DeLay's main opponent in next month's primary election launched two television commercials Thursday that say the suburban Houston district needs a leader who is not distracted by his own troubles.

The ads by Republican Tom Campbell represent the first primary TV blitz DeLay has faced in his 22-year congressional career. He has two other primary opponents, Michael Fjetland and Pat Baig, who haven't raised enough money for such advertising.

DeLay spokeswoman Shannon Flaherty said the former House majority leader was running "one of the most aggressive campaigns the congressman has run so far," and would hit the airwaves "when we need to."

Two ads against DeLay will appear on Fox and CNN. The first week will cost about $12,000, said Campbell campaign manager Michael Stanley, who added that he expects the advertising to continue until the March 7 primary.

SNIP

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My search of DU didn't offer this story up, so I'm posting it here. It was sent by another DUer, Apache, who doesn't post, but is a close friend of mine.

[cyberpj]

1. Will there be a viable Democratic opponent? Maybe a Band of Brothers Vet?

[Ilsa]

2. I don't know for certain.

I've heard from my friend that the Republican Campbell will likely beat DeLay and the Dem, but that is January polling information at best. I think anything can happen. DeLay is having a hard time raising money, from what I've heard.

I'm in Dr. Ron Paul's district, BTW. I'm thinking he would probably vote to impeach the Chimperor even though he's a Republican (converted from Libertarian).

[gkhouston]

3. Nick Lampson. He got redistricted out of a Congressional

seat and has some name recognition going for him but the 22nd has a lot of fundies in it. OTOH, the latest poll shows a lot of the fundies are undecided.

[radio4progressives]

5. I thought one of the Band of Brothers Vets was running against Delay

It seemed like I heard from one of them yesterday in their press conference?

[Gothmog]

4. Lampson is a strong candidate

Richard Morrison was a fairly weak candidate and Delay ended spending several million against him and running attack ads against a less well knowned candidate. Lampson is well known and is strong campaigner. This should be fun.

[Gothmog]

6. Campbell is a partner at a large law firm

Campbell is a partner at large firm and so can run a decent campaign against Delay. This is going to be fun.

[napi21]

7. I thought DeLay didn't have any $$!

Didn't someone just last week say that his legal bills have actually put him in the hole?

I wonder if he'll still be able to bribe enough contributors to even fight a strong campaign?

I'd LOVE to see him go down because he LOST all his big guns!!

[Babel_17]

8. Hmmm, I guess it goes without saying ...

... that the worst case scenario for republicans is that the primary will be both close and heated. That sucks up both money and usually leaves fodder that the opposition party can use in the general election.

Sometimes a party benefits from a hotly contested primary in that it can cause a larger turnout come election day.

A lot will depend on the campaign style of both (all) camps in this primary.

As DeLay's troubles are an ongoing matter it will be that much harder for the seasoned pro's on his team to game out a winning strategy.

If the media smells blood they'll be less inclined to offer up the free air time, which usually follows from a contested primary, in a no-strings manner to DeLay.

DeLay winning his primary after a bloody campaign that gets contested by way of strong allegations of voting irregularities and financing fraud might be a good thing, politically.

Having DeLay beaten by an opponent in his party who shows no charisma and doesn't resonate with the voters could also be good.

I'll be keeping my eyes open on this story as it develops.

Thanks for the heads-up!

[saltpoint]

9. 'Would love to see that seat go blue, but if pressed, I'd support almost

anybody instead of DeLay, even the fox from the Aesop tale who persuades by degrees the gingerbreadperson to ride on his nose across the swift stream.

I'd even take that damned fox over Tom DeLay.