Two very endangered Republican Congressmen, Tom Reynolds (NY-26) and Don Sherwood (PA-10) -- both of whose races the Cook Political Report downgraded to "toss-up" status yesterday -- have come out with ads apologizing for letting down their constituents.

It's an interesting strategy, partially owning up to part of a scandal to help deflect attention away from the remainder of the scandal (in the case of Sherwood the abuse allegations, in the case of Reynolds the allegation that he didn't do enough to confront Mark Foley with the information he had months ago). And while it's far from certain that these ads will produce their desired effects -- it could be that they seem too little, too late and actually end up reminding voters why they are unhappy with their Congressman -- given the fact that both Reynolds and Sherwood are currently trailing in the polls, it could be that they have no other option outside of admitting some guilt and hoping that voters will be in a forgiving mood.

Update [2006-10-7 19:13:17 by Jonathan Singer]: Apparently, Reynolds will holding a fundraiser for Sherwood this Thursday night. Nice.

There's more...

On the Web: Chris Carney for Congress

This doesn't talk about Iraq, but PA-10 is a special case district where the incumbent Republican is in trouble for other reasons:



The ad is a Republican father talking about his daughter and family values. It kind of beats around the bush a little bit, but I think it might be just enough to further hammer this message home: Don Sherwood choked his mistress / young staffer. It is tricky, becuase I'm not sure how direct you want to be. Then again, if you don't point it out here, when are you going to do so?

What do you think?

Our first TV ad, "Pennsylvania Values," is up on the air today in Pennsylvania's 10th CD.  Check it out on YouTube.

Here is our release on the buy, which includes the ad's transcript:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 16th, 2006    

Contact:  
Andrew Eldredge-Martin, drew@carneyforcongress.com, 570-587-4723    

CHRIS CARNEY BEATS SHERWOOD TO TELEVISION
Challenger puts up first TV ad in 10th District race

Clarks Summit, PA-Today, Chris Carney put his first television ad, "Pennsylvania Values" on the air. This is a huge victory because Don Sherwood has already started a campaign of negative attacks that the Towanda Daily Review called "ugly,""irresponsible," and a "low blow." 

"Chris Carney beat Don Sherwood to television so he can tell the truth about himself, his family, and the values he will take to Washington," said Carney campaign manager Andrew Eldredge-Martin. "Beating Sherwood to television is a huge victory for all the Democrats, Republicans, and Independents who support our campaign to take our values back to Congress. In fact, this first ad includes both Republican and Democratic supporters who are all ready for a change in Washington."

Link to ad:

http://www.carneyforcongress.com/2006/08 16/our-first-tv-ad-pennsylvania-values

Chris Carney is a veteran of multiple foreign military operations, a Lt. Commander in the Navy Reserve, and an Associate Professor at Penn State, focusing on U.S. security policy. Carney also served as a senior advisor on counter-terrorism and intelligence at the Pentagon from 2003 to 2005.

Chris lives in Dimock, Pa. with his wife Jennifer and their five children.

"PENNSYLVANIA VALUES" AD TRANSCRIPT

Pennsylvania values means living up to your word...

Making sure you take care of your family and your community.

In the wake of 9/11, I was called up to serve, something I was very proud to do.

Currently, I'm a Lieutenant Commander in the Navy Reserve.

We have a simple code of honor: do not lie, cheat or steal or tolerate those that do.

Those are the kind of values that we in Pennsylvania want to instill in our
children.

And yes, when I'm your representative, I will fight for them.

I'm Chris Carney and I approve this message. Send me to Congress and I'll
make you proud.

###

There's more...

Yesterday Chris Carney received a huge boost when Congressman John Murtha came to the 10th district and endorsed him.  Murtha also had a message to deliver to 10th District voters: "We are going to put Chris Carney on the Appropriations Committee."

Then-House Speaker Newt Gingrich had delivered the same message on behalf of Don Sherwood in 1998, when Sherwood faced Pat Casey in a race that was decided by 500 votes.  Many have speculated that this swung the election for Sherwood.

Chris Carney was honored by Murtha's endorsement and pledge saying, "Congressman Murtha has made Pennsylvania and our veterans proud in Congress. If you send me to Congress, I will make Pennsylvania proud."

Don Sherwood, fearing for his political life, released this statement in response:

http://www.politicspa.com/pressreleasede tailed.asp?id=4989

FRIENDS OF DON SHERWOOD
81 Warren Street
Tunkhannock, PA 18657
570-836-3117

August 3, 2006 Contact: Jake O'Donnell

STATEMENT OF CONGRESSMAN DON SHERWOOD

On Murtha Fundraising Luncheon

TUNKHANNOCK -- "Jack Murtha and I have served together on the Appropriations Committee for six years, and in the House for eight years. Until recently, we've been on the same page and voted the same way on defense and terrorism issues. But today Jack Murtha is sounding more and more like Howard Dean.

"I don't know what has caused Jack Murtha's 180-degree shift, but it looks like a severe case of ambition. Jack Murtha is making campaign appearances for Chris Carney and 40 other Democrats because he'd like to be in power again. Jack Murtha would like to be defense subcommittee chairman, or as he's implied, the majority leader.

"The criticism of our mission and our troops coming from Jack Murtha, Chris Carney and Howard Dean gives hope to terrorists and their allies. The terrorists want us to walk away from the fight, and believe we will, before the Iraqi government can provide its own security.

"I am proud of the work done by our military in securing Iraq, and I remain confident they will continue to make progress in achieving the mission. The message of despair voiced by Jack Murtha is not the message I've heard from Pennsylvanians who have fought in Iraq. The defeatist message of Carney and company will only lead to their defeat at the polls in November."

WHA?!?!?! Don Sherwood attacking others on military and veterans issues?  

If Don Sherwood had stood up and fought for the best body armor and vehicles for our troops, the Pentagon's own study says that almost 300 lives would have been saved in Iraq alone.

This is the same Don Sherwood who just this week said this in response to a question about his failure to support our troops and our veterans: "1000 WWII veterans are dying every day so we have fewer veterans."

We need your help to fight back:

1. Call or fax Don Sherwood's campaign office and tell them this type of dishonorable attack is unbecoming of a public official:

Friends of Don Sherwood
570.836.3117
570.836.6916 (fax)

2. Contribute to one of the many netroots communities that is supporting Chris Carney: Eschaton, WesPAC, FightingDems, SecureUS, KYDem, AdamsList, and many more. There are more attacks coming and we need your help to fight back.  Thank you.

There's more...

Over the past few months, Carney for Congress has really taken off.   Our polling is great, our fundraising has taken off, and we are looking for a top-notch Field Director.  If you are interested in the position, see the job description below the jump.  Some race details:

1. In late April we released our polling, which showed a statistical dead heat without leaners (DS-41, CC-39, Und-20), and a single-digit race with leaners. Poll internals are available here.

2. On May 16th, Don Sherwood received only 56% of the R vote in his primary race against an unknown (12% name rec) challenger, Kathy Scott.  Sherwood spent over $360,000 in the primary and got robocalls from President Bush and Rick Santorum.  Scott send one mail piece and spent $12,000 total. She got 44%.

3. Our June 30th filing will show a cash on hand over $300,000, which is a 333% increase since the pre-primary filing on April 26th.  Sherwood's filing will report $479,000, which is only a 1% increase.

This is a race that many people discounted from day one (even though Sherwood's re-elect is 21%).  We believed as many of you did that there was a chance.  Now we know we can win.  We need your help to do it.

See below for the job description.

There's more...