DCCC has reserved $49M worth of air time in 60 house districts

[WI_DEM]

In the battle over the airwaves, the DCCC is planning to invest $1M or more in at least a dozen districts that represent many of the toughest battlegrounds this fall, according to data leaked to The Hotline.

In total, the DCCC has reserved $49M worth of air time in 60 districts, according to the ad buy tracking data. The dozen districts where Democrats are spending at least $1M represent the DCCC's biggest outlays to date. And, in several more districts, the DCCC has reserved a significant amount of time in media markets that can be used to air ads for multiple districts.

Ad buys are fluid, they can change at a moment's notice. These buys only represent a snapshot in time, and the DCCC must account for several factors -- such as the size of the incumbent's war chest and the cost of the media markets in a district -- in its decisions. Nevertheless, ad buys provide insight into the DCCC's strategy at this point in the cycle.

"We reserve time early to lock in a lower rate," said Jennifer Crider, the DCCC's spokeswoman.

The committee is investing heavily in Rep. Carol Shea-Porter's race in NH 01, pouring $1.5M into the expensive Boston broadcast media market. Shea-Porter will face the winner of the GOP primary between Manchester Mayor Frank Guinta, businessman Sean Mahoney and several others.

Similarly, Rep. Dina Titus (D-NV) will get a big boost from the DCCC. The committee is planning to invest $1.4M on air in Titus' campaign against ex-state Sen. Joe Heck (R) in NV 03. The DCCC has reserved time starting 10/5 in this race. The NRCC has also placed one if its largest ad reservations in this district, as it plans to air $900K worth of ads over a longer period here.

The DCCC is going on offense with a large buy in FL 25 -- a pick up opportunity. '08 nominee Joe Garcia (D) is facing off against state Rep. David Rivera (R) for the seat held by retiring Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart (R). Rivera has been embroiled in more than one scandal so far this year, and the DCCC's planned investment of nearly $1.8M of air time shows it thinks it can take this seat.

The DCCC may be aiming for the IL 10 seat being vacated by Rep. Mark Kirk (R), though the committee's buys in a single ad market that covers several districts make their strategy hard to divine. The DCCC has reserved $1.1M in the Chicago market, which includes Kirk's seat and those held by Reps. Debbie Halvorson (D) and Bill Foster (D).

http://hotlineoncall.nationaljournal.com/archives/2010/09/the_dcccs_milli.php#more

[murielm99]

1. The seat held by Mark Kirk may not exist much longer.

After redistricting, it is likely it will be gone. Illinois is losing seats. The Democrats will control how the redistricting is done, unless they do any more really stupid things and lose their majority. I doubt that will happen. I am sure the DCCC knows this all about this seat. I question the article's accuracy in that regard.

Also, someone please tell me what is going on with Foster. I don't see him doing anything to keep his seat. Is it that much of a sure thing? I am very involved in politics, and I can't find out. Even activists in the 14th can't find out anything. The 14th District adjoins my district, too.

[WI_DEM]

2. I wish they could pull out the race for Governor but the A-hole Blagojevich probably ruined it

[flpoljunkie]

3. Record amounts will be spent on tv ads for the mid-terms. Time to pass Fair Elections Now Act, Dems!

And, before the end of the second session of 111th Congressional session--the end of this year!

[catgirl]

4. Shea-Porter is on the GOP hit list

I'm glad the DCCC is spending big on this one. :-)