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Could MA-5 really be the perfect storm? Yes: - The pre-election FEC reports are out and Niki Tsongas (who’s raised $1.89 million!) now has only $20,000 more in cash-on-hand that Jim Ogonowski. And that’s only because Tsongas was forced to give herself a $50,000 loan.
- Stoller talks with Democratic insiders and reports on the widespread belief that this race is inside of 10 points, writing, ominously, that “There is real concern here.”
- John Kerry has sent a fundraising e-mail to his 2004 list to prop up Tsongas in what should be a slam dunk seat. UPDATE: In fact, John Kerry, the only Democrat who failed to carry MA-5 in the last 36 years, singles out this blogger and Rightroots in his desperate appeal for T$onga$:
Patrick Ruffini, Bush-Cheney 04 Internet Director, has begun to try to rally the “right roots,” as they like to call themselves, to the cause of Niki’s opponent. They want to create a moment for Republicans like you have created for Democrats a number of times: a surprise showing (even a surprisingly close loss) that can energize the national Republicans and give that party some small spark of hope. Don’t let them - instead, please help Niki remind them that they are on the wrong side of history. Remember what I learned in Lowell - no race is in the bag till the votes are counted, and we can’t give the right and their favorite mouthpieces any room to find vindication anywhere, especially not in Massachusetts.
It probably says something about Kerry that this went un-noticed for 24 hours. - Finally, Tsongas is going negative on Ogonowski. You don’t run ads like this if you’re comfortably ahead.
(By the way, why is she using a Tennessee flag in an ad about Massachusetts?) Ogonowski may not be a perfect Republican, but just imagine the shockwave a victory or razor-tight finish in MA-5 would send. Imagine the impact it would have on the landscape in the battle for the House in 2008. Imagine what it would do for candidate recruitment. In 1995, Republicans were optimistic about another romp in ‘96. I remember going to D.C. that summer and being told by a high-ranking GOP Congressman that we would gain another 30 seats in 1996. The GOP was a lock for a repeat performance, until they stumbled and the government shutdown ended the election a year early. MA-5 may not be quite as big, but it would signal the beginning of a real reversal of fortune, and give Republicans confidence to go after purple and blue districts again after a long time in the doldrums. Can we do 200 donors before next Friday, the Friday before the election? And if you live in New England, volunteer. Even $5 or $10 counts towards the goal. This election matters and Democrats are running scared.
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