Today the NRCC placed a $330,000 ad buy in the Special Election for CA-50. I think it's safe to say they are not coming in with a positive, feel-good spot. Right before he went to prison, Duke Cunningham made one final donation to the NRCC to try to keep this seat in the hands of another pay-to-play politician. It was the final contribution in a career where Cunningham gave over $640,000 to the NRCC.
With none of the Republican candidates able to gain any traction and Francine Busby polling at 45%, the NRCC is clearly nervous about this race. The spending is an admission that Francine's campaign is gaining enough momentum to win this election outright next Tuesday.
The early absentee ballot returns indicate a strong turnout from Democrats while Republicans remain apathetic about their candidates (surprising that Howard "I thought I was in Baghdad" Kaloogian isn't inspiring voters). The early numbers indicate that 45% of all Democrats with an absentee ballot have voted, while only 33% of Republicans with ballots have voted. In addition, 5,500 more women have voted than men. In the latest poll, Francine is garnering 53% of the women vote.
Duke Cunningham has contributed over $640,000 to the NRCC since 1998, including $2,000 right before he flew off to jail. How fitting that Duke's dirty money is coming around to play in the seat vacated because of his historic bribery scandal. In addition, Cunningham Co-Conspirators Brent Wilkes and Mitchell Wade have also been generous contributors to the NRCC, giving over $40,000 including a recent $15,000 donation from Wade this election cycle. Lastly, let's not forget Tom DeLay. Tom DeLay is the NRCC.
The NRCC's ads are slated to begin tomorrow. Anyone think these ads will have anything to do with the truth? Not a chance. These ads will represent a last, desperate attempt to hold onto power by two corrupt lawmakers, DeLay and Cunningham, who fell under the weight of their own corruption and pay-to-play politics. These ads are brought to you by the same folks who are living off the corrupt Washington system that has been epitomized by Duke Cunningham and Tom DeLay.
Francine will continue her message of changing Washington and ending the culture of corruption. That's what this race is about - it's about moving this country forward in a different direction. Lastly, this race is about setting the tone for the 2006 Congressional elections.
I guarantee one thing: We are going to fight back.
Thanks to all of you for continued support - we are going to win this election and send a powerful message across the country.
Brandon Hall
Campaign Manager
Busby for Congress
--cross posted on mydd--