AP: Democrats Plan $30 Million Ad Buy

[Omaha Steve]

Full story: http://apnews.excite.com/article/20060721/D8J03SOG0.html

AP: Democrats Plan $30 Million Ad Buy
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Jul 20, 10:38 PM (ET)

By DAVID ESPO

(AP) Democratic National Committee chairman Howard Dean speaks at the national convention of College...
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WASHINGTON (AP) - Signaling a new phase in the struggle for control of Congress, House Democrats have reserved time for more than $30 million worth of campaign advertising this fall in roughly two dozen congressional districts, with a heavy emphasis on the Northeast and Midwest.

The Democratic targets include clusters of Republican-held seats in the Philadelphia area held by Reps. Jim Gerlach, Curt Weldon and Michael Fitzpatrick, as well as the Ohio River Valley, where Reps. John Hostettler of Indiana, Geoff Davis of Kentucky and Steve Chabot of Ohio can expect a protracted televised barrage.


Democratic National Committee chairman Howard Dean speaks at the national convention of College Democrats, Thursday, July 20, 2006, at Saint Louis University in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Tom Gannam)

Based on information available to date, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee intends to air ads for eight weeks in an attempt to defeat Rep. Heather Wilson of New Mexico. Rep. Clay Shaw of Florida faces a particularly well-financed opponent, but he can also expect to face five weeks of Democratic-paid advertising.

After 12 years in the minority, Democrats need to pick up 15 seats this fall to gain control of the House.

Material about advertising reservations is publicly available. Bill Burton, a spokesman at the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, declined to comment, although other officials said the organization is in the process of identifying additional target seats and reserving more advertising time.

Reserving time in advance can save money for a purchaser because some stations will sell advertising during the summer months at lower rates than they can command in September or October.

[onehandle]

1. Go! Fifty bucks on it's way to Doctor Dean!

Win Congress. Investigate. Impeach.

Say it with me.

[Ian David]

2. I donated right before they pulled the "New Direction" ad. n/t

[Gloria]

3. Hope they don't waste it on DRIVEL.