Wednesday, September 01, 2010

The Colonel Gets Promoted

The tidal wave continues to build for Republican candidates seeking election to the House of Representatives. On Tuesday, the Gallup poll showed a 10 point advantage for the GOP – the largest advantage in almost 70 years.

Democrats are running scared and running crazy, trying too late to convince voters they are independent, do not listen to Queen Pelosi and are "fighting" Washington. Those statements and advertisements are really the sound of political careers get flushed, courtesy of Team Obama.

Nowhere is that more than true than in the 20th Congressional District, the scene of the 2006 upset by now-Senator Gillibrand over John Sweeney and the 2009 squeaker by virtual unknown Scott Murphy. Murphy had and is now trying to portray himself as one of the so-called Blue Dog Conservative Democrats, but he is a marked man due to his flip-flop to a yes vote on the disastrous health care legislation.

It has gotten so bad for Murphy that he rarely holds public appearances, and apparently insisted that the public not be allowed to attend a debate as the November election draws near.

Murphy's opponent in that debate and in the race, retired Army Col. Chris Gibson, has been gaining momentum and support, out-fundraising Murphy in recent reports. The news got better for Gibson, as he was elevated to "Young Gun" status by national Republicans.

Being elevated to "Young Gun" is important for Gibson because it earns him two weeks of television advertisements. National GOP leaders on behalf of Gibson have already placed television buys; by comparison, national Democrats have failed to reserve TV ad space for Murphy, who has self-funded a couple of weak, vanilla TV spots.

Gibson has the muscle on the ground. He collected more than double the signatures of nominating petitions as Murphy and you are in for a long ride if you would like to eyeball a Murphy lawn sign in the 20th CD. Gibson has more volunteers, has the issues on his side, and now, has some national mojo coming his way. In the past few weeks, Gibson has seen his candidacy and chances of winning the race upgraded, and he is heading right for the win on Election Day.