Congressmen (and women) who currently hold office have (until recently) had an advantage over their opponents. They had name recognition, could get free publicity by attending ribbon cuttings, community events, and other things to increase their positive exposure to the public. They also had the advantage, generally if they leaned toward the political left, of having the media on their side. Some of that has changed with this election, some has not.
My local paper, The Sun Chronicle placed an article entitled, "Taking aim at Mass. pols." The article deals with the fact that a Political Action Committee (PAC) is giving $200,000 of their money to Sean Beilat and Marty Lamb. Of course, that is not the way the article frames it.
The article states:
"A conservative Nevada group is targeting U.S. Reps. James McGovern and Barney Frank for defeat, pledging to pour $200,000 into an ad campaign against them in the waning days of the general election.
"Western Representation PAC intends to spend $500,000 on a handful of races nationwide this election cycle, and said McGovern and Frank are on their hit list for 40 percent of it."
The article somehow neglects to mention some of the facts regarding Congressman McGovern's campaign contributions. Open Secrets reports that Congressman McGovern has received $420,625 in PAC contributions (they do not list where they are from). There is a footnote under the numbers: (NOTE: All the numbers on this page are for the 2009 - 2010 House election cycle and based on Federal Election Commission data available electronically on Friday, October 15, 2010).
The article in the Sun Chronicle makes it sound like a horrible thing that the Western Representation PAC is supporting Marty Lamb and Sean Bielat. I am grateful for their help in both campaigns. Barney Frank was a major factor in the collapse of the housing market. James McGovern was a major factor in the snarky way that the healthcare reform bill was passed.
Congress will be a better place if both of these men are voted out of office.
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