National Republicans have decided Bob Schaffer is a sinking ship, and you know what happens with the rats then.
Last week there were rumors that the NRSC was going to pull out of Schaffer's campaign for the Colorado Senate seat being vacated by Wayne Allard. That speculation is confirmed today.
Mark Udall, has been posting consisten leads in polling for the last month, probably one reason a cash-strapped NRSC has decided to retrench and defend other seats. It's not just the NRSC that have been scared off. "Independent" 527s, are also pulling out, looking to Oregon and North Carolina to try to salvage a few Republican incumbents.
The pull-out leaves Schaffer mostly to fend for himself against increasingly long odds after two 527 groups — Freedom’s Watch and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce — announced plans to abandon the former Republican congressman earlier this week.
Freedom Watch, fronted by former White House press secretary Ari Fleischer and funded by Las Vegas casino billionaire Sheldon Adelson, planned to pour as much as $250 million into electioneering ads this year.
Ultimately, this is not only good news for Mark Udall, but for Barack Obama. Less frothing up of the Republican base in the barrage of Republican attack ads certainly won't hurt the Dem at the top of the ticket in this swing state. Obama is posting slim leads in the polling in Colorado.
The VP candidates are both coming to the state next week, with Biden planning to be in the state next Tuesday and Wednesday, and Palin on Monday, the first day of early voting. Rumor has it she'll be in Colorado Springs, home of Focus on the Family, so apparently they're a little concerned about keeping the base fired up.
For ongoing discussion, check Christian Dem in NC's diary.
Update: what a difference a few hours makes. Just like in Louisiana, there's a lot of confusion in Republican circles. Are they in or out in Colorado? It's unclear right now, though I've received the transcript (via e-mail) of a new NRSC attack ad against Udall that Ambinder references in his update. It all sounds like more Ensign incompetence.