How well are things going in the National Republican Congressional Committee's war on Minnesota Seventh District Congressman Collin Peterson since announcing a television ad buy?
First the Republican district chair Craig Bishop sends out a remarkable email asking readers if they know of someone who might consider running against the gazillon-term DFLer, as we chronicled in Craig's list: CD7 MNGOP committee ISO candidates 4 Congress we might B able 2 talk 2.
Next, the editorial board of the conservative Forum Communications newspaper, the Fargo Forum, issued what would pass for an endorsement if it were published in October 2014. In Forum editorial: Attack ad won’t fly in the 7th, they write:
Rep. Collin Peterson, D-Minn., is square in the sights of the National Republican Congressional Committee. The long-serving District 7 congressman is described in an NRCC cable TV ad as an out-of-touch politician who has been in Congress too long.
The voters of the district disagree. And it is likely (although anything can happen before November 2014) Peterson will easily win another term if he decides to run again. By the way, he should seek re-election. He’s done well by the people of the 7th and they have rewarded him again and again with near-landslide victories. . . .
Peterson knows the people of his district. He has represented their interests as a moderate Blue Dog Democrat. They seem more than satisfied with his work. Despite the NRCC’s attempt to paint him as anti-farmer, most farmers in the 7th know better. Despite the lame charge that Peterson is responsible for “gridlock and dysfunction in Washington,” voters in the district know which party controls the U.S. House; they know House Republicans are blocking a balanced farm bill.
Peterson should welcome the NRCC’s attack ad. It seems desperate. It is shallow political boilerplate. He can enjoy the rest of the August recess in the beautiful 7th, and take some comfort that the NRCC is targeting him. He’ll spin it into a badge of honor.
Given the fact that the Forum is the sort of newspaper that endorsed Mitt Romney for president, all we have to add is--well played, NRCC.
Photo: Collin Peterson is either telling a fish story or illustrating the margins by which he wins his district in this Reuters file photo.
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Posted by: Josh | Aug 20, 2013 at 07:31 AM
As a former constituent of Rep. Peterson's I can tell you that he certainly does cut his own path. When he retires, the race will be competitive, but can be won by a Dem *if* they choose the right one.
And let's also remember that it took Peterson three(!) tries to unseat former Rep-Arlan Stangeland. Nobody wanted to take him on. Peterson shocked everyone in 1990 when he won on that third try (though there was that small matter about long-distance phone calls to a female lobbyist in Virginia).
Posted by: Mike Worcester | Aug 22, 2013 at 10:58 AM