GOP sets sights on powerful budget chairman (John Spratt, SC-5)

CNN ^ | January 25, 2010 | Mark Preston

[MitchellC]

Washington (CNN) – National Republicans will begin airing a new 30 second commercial this week in Rep. John Spratt's congressional district, criticizing the South Carolina Democrat for his role as House Budget Committee chairman.

The National Republican Congressional Committee is airing the political ad with the hope of pressuring Spratt to choose retirement over running for a 15th term to the House.

[MitchellC]

There are rumors that Spratt, who was first elected in 1982, is contemplating leaving office in November. Spratt has a history of being a very strong incumbent. In 2008, he won re-election by a 62 percent to 37 percent margin in a district that John McCain defeated Barack Obama by a 53 percent to 46 percent spread. But this year, Congressional Republicans are touting Mick Mulvaney, a GOP state senator, as a candidate who can potentially knock off the powerful chairman.

In addition to the NRCC's weeklong cable buy, the House GOP campaign arm is sending out an e-mail blast to its entire supporter list this afternoon asking them to donate money to keep the ad on the air. Third party interest groups often use this fundraising technique to encourage their supporters to help fund political commercials.

Full text of ad after the jump:

The press called it "the most fiscally irresponsible budget in the history of the federal government."

And John Spratt wrote it. Spratt is Nancy Pelosi's budget chairman….and the Spratt budget has a trillion dollar deficit.

And Spratt's the architect of legislation Democrats may use to ram through a government takeover of health care.

Call John Spratt. Tell him to represent South Carolina…and NOT Nancy Pelosi.

The National Republican Congressional Committee is responsible for the content of this advertising

[MitchellC]

Ping!

[fieldmarshaldj]

*ping*

[Jet Jaguar]

PPP polling will be releasing a poll this week regarding Spratt.

[MitchellC]

Re: PPP poll on this district coming out this week, I expect Spratt could still be up. I’m hopeful but I really have no idea whether his constituents are ready to turn on him. I’ve seen plenty of SC rednecks sporting Spratt bumper stickers on their trucks.

[The Clemson Tiger]

There was an article in the local Rock Hill paper a few weeks ago where Spratt announced that he was indeed running for re-election. Of course, that was before Brown.

This is def. a winnable seat for us.

[ReagansRaiders]

Spratt has Parkinson’s Disease, but that is very hush hush. U.S. Rep. Parker Griffith was telling people about that weeks before he switched parties.

[ReagansRaiders]

Griffith said this on Nov. 18, 2009 at an event at Johnny’s Half Shell in D.C.

[Old Teufel Hunden]

Tie him to Nazi Pelosi again and again. Make him practically married to her!!

[thulldud]

This is def. a winnable seat for us.

From your keyboard....

[Impy]

Griffith needs to make his bones by exposing all the rat secrets he knows. He dled voter data off the state rat website on his way out (they demanded it be “returned” lol), that was a good start. He should get loud about Spratt if he’s really sick.

[Palmetto Patriot]

IMO:

Regardless of the lead, if Spratt is polling between 50 and 55%, he’s got a race. If he polls less than 50%, he’s in the race of his life.

[Impy]

Spratt has now admitted/announced he has the disease.