EXCELLENT TARGETING FROM THE DSCC. CAN I SUGGEST SOME ADDITIONS?

Tomorrow the DSCC will target 4 vulnerable Republican rubber stamps with an ad buy in their home states geared towards stoking the anger over GOP obstructionism on Iraq. This is perfect for Miss Obstructionism himself (R-KY) but it works for all four perfectly since each has an abysmal voting record on Iraq-- complete support for Bush and Cheney, no oversight, and none of that "moderate, independent voice" propaganda each is desperately trying to shield themselves with. Aside from McConnell, the ads will be aimed at Susan Collins (ME), John Sununu (NH) and Norm Coleman (MN). Including Collins is a real slap in the face for her mentor and sponsor, Joe Lieberman, whose reactionary position on Iraq she mimics.

With Bush's job approval rating rapidly headed towards the teens, it is smart of the DSCC to show how Republicans supported his agenda every step of the way and to make sure voters know he could never have done it without them. Unfortunately for the DSCC, Bush could never have done it without support from a number of Democratic incumbents as well. Let's leave out stalwart Republican collaborators like Ben and Bill Nelson, Evan Bayh, Ken Salazar, Blanche Lincoln, and Joe Biden, since none of them have to face the voters in 2008, and instead look at the voting records of Mary Landrieu (LA) and Max Baucus (MT). Not as lockstep as Collins, Coleman, McConnell, and Sununu-- but way too close.

These ads are especially dangerous for Collins, who has been successful in convincing her constituents that she's "just like Olympia Snowe" instead of just like her doppleganger, Joe Lieberman. The most salient feature of the senate race in Maine is that Collins and Rep. Tom Allen were elected on the exact same day and have been voting on the same issues. He has voted in line with what people in Maine want from their representatives and she has voted in sync with what people in Alabama, Utah and the Vice President's office want. She tries to downplay Iraq-- her latest newsletter doesn't mention the "I" word once-- and unlike Senator Snowe (R-ME), Congressman Michaud (D-ME) and Congressman Allen (D-ME), all of whom think Iraq is critical, she seems to be on the same page with Rove, that it's no biggie. Ultimately Collins will pull a Lieberman and fake opposition to the war until after the elections. It took Lieberman a matter of minutes to unreform after he was elected last year. People in Maine need only to look at the side by side voting records of Collins and Allen to see who they trust more in the U.S. Senate.

The House voted on Iraq 49 times, starting with the 4 roll calls on October 10, 2002. Rep. Allen's Iraq voting record shows he voted against the Bush-Cheney agenda 36 times, over 70% of the time. In the Senate there were 31 votes on Iraq starting the same day. Allen voted against the authorization to use force. Collins voted for it. Her voting record shows she opposed Bush 5 times (16%), although these were not substantive votes to change the Regime's agenda of endless war.

The DSCC ad for Miss McConnell: