NRCC

WASHINGTON – Should he win his suddenly-competitive re-election race on Tuesday, longtime U.S. Rep. John Murtha (D-Johnstown) will owe a big debt of thanks to the members of the progressive-minded political action committee MoveOn.org.

Since issuing a last-minute appeal to MoveOn.org’s fundraising list on Wednesday, the organization has infused Murtha’s campaign with over $187,000 in cash, according to Federal Election Commission records.

Murtha’s ramped-up fundraising efforts comes just days after receiving heated criticism for saying in a media interview that residents in his Southeastern Pennsylvania district are “racist” and “rednecks.”

Could what is universally expected to be a horrible year for the GOP unexpectedly rear its head in the 18th Congressional District?

That's the message pushed by the campaign for Democrat Steve O'Donnell, who is taking on U.S. Rep. Tim Murphy (R-Upper St. Clair) in the western Pennsylvania district. His campaign points to a negative TV ad run by the Republican last week as evidence Murphy thinks he's in trouble.

Campaigns don't run negative ads against opponents without a chance, said Harry Gural, O'Donnell's communications director.
 
"The way I look at it is he has fears in his eyes," Gural told PolitickerPA.com. "He sees Steve has a shot at beating him."

PolitickerNH.com

NRCC mailer

The New Hampshire Democratic Party (NHDP) is criticizing a recent mailer sponsored by the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC).

The mailer says that "Carol Shea-Porter voted to allow criminals to buy homes in our neighborhood," and cited a vote they say allows drug dealers to buy homes with taxpayer money. The mailer also shows a large picture of a hand about the pull the trigger of a gun.

To counter the mailer, the NHDP held a press conference with Tom Katsiantonis, a voter in Manchester, who said the mail "crossed the line."

Democrats just received $1.3 million in help to win three U.S. House seats in Ohio from the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.

The DCCC purchased six-figure media buys in the 1st, 2nd and 15th Congressional Districts Tuesday, according to the Federal Elections Commission.

More than $543,000 was purchased for Mary Jo Kilroy’s (D-Columbus) race against Steve Stivers (R-Columbus). For Steve Driehaus’ (D-Price Hill) fight against U.S. Rep. Steve Chabot (R-Cincinnati) the DCCC spent $453,000. Finally, Vic Wulsin received $309,000 worth of help to unseat U.S. Rep. Jean Schmidt (R-Cincinnati).

WASHINGTON - National Republicans are slashing their advertising buy for veteran U.S. Rep. Joe Knollenberg (R-Mich.), Politicker.com has learned. The National Republican Congressional Committee has cancelled its first and second weeks of advertising for Knollenberg, amounting to about $315,000 in reserved time, according to media buy information obtained by Politicker.com and confirmed by a Republican source familiar with the NRCC's plans. The committee has kept in place plans to advertise on behalf of Knollenberg during the last week of the set.