Democrats Find Political Opportunity in Remarks by Some Republicans

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One of the ways Democrats have been trying -- with some success -- to blunt the impact of voter anger and frustration with party leaders in Washington is by turning the spotlight on what they see as oddball statements by Republican candidates, the Los Angeles Times reports.

The Times says the tactic is working better in some races than others:

- In Delaware, Democrats have delighted in Republican Senate nominee Christine O'Donnell's mention that she once dabbled in witchcraft while appearing on "Politically Incorrect" with Ball Maher in 1999, and backed up her doubts about evolution during another appearance by asking, ""Why aren't monkeys still evolving into humans?"

- Democrats pounced on a comment made on a radio talk show by Republican Tim Walberg, who is trying to reclaim a House seat he lost in 2008, in which he said he "didn't know" if President Obama was born in the U.S. or was a Muslim. Walberg retracted the statement.

- Democratic Rep. Allen Boyd, a seven-term Democrat trying to hold his seat in Florida's Panhandle, used a television ad to attack Republican opponent Steve Southerland for appearing to endorse repeal of the 17th amendment, which provided for the popular election of senators.

- Republican Rand Paul, a Tea Party favorite who upset an establishment candidate for the GOP nomination, has come under fire for questioning federal funding of anti-drug programs, which Democrats believe makes him vulnerable to Appalachian voters concerned about widespread drug problems in their region.

- In Nevada, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has been making heavy use of Republican Sharron Angle's past statements against her. Nevada conservative strategist Chris Muth told the Times Reid was "trying to enact a political death by a thousand cuts" against Angle.

During a debate on Fox News Sunday with Democratic opponent Jack Conway, Paul was asked about having said of drugs "I don't think it's a real pressing issue" and arguing that programs should be funded at the state level.

Paul said, "When they quoted me, it was actually a misquote, because what I actually said was I don't think people are as concerned about where the funding comes from. They want the problem to be tackled ... All I said is that like most problems, I think the more local control, the better. The more the decisions are made by sheriffs and local communities, the better chance we have of fixing the problem."

Conway responded, "It's another example where Rand Paul doesn't get Kentucky ... He doesn't get that drugs are a real pressing issue."

Filed Under: Democrats, Republicans, 2010 Elections

Tagged: 2010 Elections, dailyguidance

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