Making the National Links

In an article in the September 25 Washington Times entitled "GOP focuses on Democratic Leaders" a new tactic for the Republicans to hold some of their seats in the House has been brought to light. Rather than trying to attack the Democratic oponents in each individual race, the GOP has begun a campaign to educate the public on who the leaders of the House would be if the Democrats won back control.
One such ad that has been running the the 8th District of Indiana between Brad Ellsworth and Incumbent John Hostettler states: "Here's something to think about. Democrats in Congress believe that your taxes should be higher to pay for their bigger government. They believe wiretapping of terrorist communications violates civil liberties. And congressional Democrats believe that illegal immigrants should get amnesty. No matter how you slice it, a vote for Brad Ellsworth is a vote to put these Democrats in charge of Congress. But their agenda is just too risky." - WT
The GOP has printed papers containing statements made by influential liberal Democrats in the House, in particular Nancy Pelosi (possible Speaker of the House) that are intended to influence possible swing voters in this normally very republican district, as well as energizing the party faithful to get out to vote to stop the liberals from getting control of Congress.
Other Dem's included in this educational paper are impeached FL Rep. Alcee Hastings (bribery, conspiracy, and obstruction of justice) whom Pelosi has tabbed to become the chairman of the House Intelligence Committee and MI Rep. John Conyers, the next in line for the Chair of the House Judiciary Committe, who has implied that he would like to impeach President Bush.
The Democrats have already tried to make some more general links to the national scene by making commercials starring President Bush and the War in Iraq.
In general this seems to be a concession by the Republicans that they do not believe that they will be able to beat out the necessary Democrat challengers on the issues alone. Instead, they are willing to stake this election on the shocking statements made by the left-wing leadership of the Democrating party. The Democrats already seem to have staked their hopes on the approval ratings of the President and the War. With the President slowly gaining some much needed popularity for the GOP this should make this wager by the Republicans a very interesting one. One that will be very costly for the losers.

-Wade