NRCC launches ad hammering Dahlkemper

WASHINGTON – After weeks of watching its candidates barraged by its Democratic counterpart, the National Republican Congressional Committee has started up its independent expenditure advertising campaign. The committee is airing an ad beginning today in Pennsylvania’s 3rd Congressional District, where U.S. Rep. Phil English (R-Erie) is battling to defend his seat from a challenge by Democrat Kathy Dahlkemper.

The committee did not immediately release details on the size of the buy for the 30-second ad, which takes Dahlkemper to task on energy and gas prices.

“Kathy Dahlkemper has some wacky ideas,” an announcer says. “Take energy. Kathy Dahlkemper opposes suspending the federal gas tax, which would help consumers right now. And that would help lower your cost at the pump. Dahlkemper’s wacky solution: she said we should make personal sacrifices, such as walking places or riding a bike. Hmmm, why don’t we try using dog sleds, too?”

The NRCC appears to have been beginning to invest in the race in recent weeks. Last week, the committee spent nearly $27,000 on mailers. The NRCC also recently spent about $11,000 on polling in the district. The committee has initially reserved $700,000 to spend on English’s behalf in total.

The Republican ad didn’t go unmet by Democrats, however. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee today released a television ad tagging English, a seven-term congressman, on plans to privatize Social Security.

“Markets in crisis. Seniors struggling to make ends meet. Congressman Phil English’s plan? He supported investing Social Security in the financial markets,” an announcer says in the Democratic ad.

The NRCC ad campaign comes at a time when the committee trails the DCCC in cash on hand by $40 million.

The Republican committee also launched an ad today in Wisconsin’s 8th Congressional District, where John Gard is trying to unseat Democratic U.S. Rep. Steve Kagen.