RNC Going Up With Ads In Montana

***TUESDAY UPDATE*** The RNC is softening the ground for Wednesday's TV ad buy with two new radio spots obtained by the Huffington Post.

One week out from election day, the Republican National Committee is going up with advertising in Montana, a Democratic source tells the Huffington Post. It is yet another instance of Republicans having to defend their own turf -- President Bush won the state by over 20 points in 2004.

(Update: The Fix's Chris Cillizza confirms the news with Republican sources, says the ads will begin on Wednesday.)

The Pollster.com average of surveys shows that John McCain took a firm lead in Montana after the Republican convention. One month later, however, the GOP ticket seemingly nosedived. It's now apparently enough of a concern for the national party to step in and help.

The most recent Montana State University poll showed Obama with a 44-40 lead over McCain, with a 5 percent margin of error.

Comments

[goodneighbor420]

I live in eastern Montana and already voted absentee for OBAMA. Talked to my cousin from Wyoming the other day...when I asked him (total cowboy/redneck) who he was voting for he said 'that one'--followed up by, 'anybody with any brains is voting for that one!' Also, I was totally impressed with all the Obama signs in Miles City when I drove through a couple of months ago. Yeah, we have our share of the so-called fundamental christians, but, this ain't a vote by a show of hands, so who knows, maybe if their congregation doesn't know who they are voting for they'll do the right thing?? (crossing my fingers about it anyway) Tell you what, I just love the internet and the Huffpost, cause when you live in the middle of nowhere, it sure is nice to be able to 'connect' with the rest of the world! I am a veteran, and not shy with my analysis and opinions about this election and have made sure that my repub friends know about mc's awful veteran voting record. That's what gets me the most riled up...a guy running on the fact that he was a POW...who votes against veterans most of the time...I just don't understand why he would do that. Taking a week's vacation starting tomorrow to reach out to all my friends across this great Big Sky country...­..VOTE OBAMA/BIDEN!

[exredstater]

With the mounting bad news for their campaign, McCain/Palin will have no choice but to go increasingly negative in their attacks. Anybody else see this leaked 527 spot?

http://digg.com/2008_us_elections/Leaked_Pro_McCain_527_Negative_Ad_Small_Town_Fear_Itself/

[WhiteDude]

OBAMA 400

[jaslyn]

Shouldn't the GOP start getting busy with voter fraud ?; election time's near.

[aaronsanders]

How much of a difference would it have been without Paul?

http://www.votesmarter2008.com

[vwoom]

Betcha Ron Paul, who is included in the Montana ballot running under the Constitution Party, would be a determining factor in McCain's defeat come Nov 4th....

[psanity]

Montana being Montana, the Ron Paul thing cuts both ways. There are more than a few conservati­ves/libert­arians who so strongly dislike McCain that they had planned to vote for Obama until somebody got Paul on the Constitution Party ticket.

It's an indication of the gaping chasms in the Republican Party that in a close race, there are still folks who will cast a completely impotent protest vote for Paul (after all, the Constitution Party does have a national presidential candidate, um, what's-his-name, making a Paul vote doubly useless).

Canvassing and phoning during the primary season, when McCain was already the acknowledged Republican candidate, we heard a lot of "I'm voting for Ron Paul in the primary, but I'll vote for your guy in the fall." Now many of those voters will go to Paul in the general election after all. Of course, Obama's FISA vote had an effect here, too.

[annieR]

People in Montana who are thinking of voting Republican need to recall one name: W.R. GRACE. I have a friend from Libby, Montana, whose father died from mesothelioma from working in the Grace mines. Her whole family has the lung problems that led to her father's death. W.R. Grace is a symptom of Republican governance. Let's solve problems, not create more. Vote Democratic, for all our sakes.

[Z2221344]

I'm an American living in Canada, I've been through Montana regularly.­.. the thought of it even potentially flipping to Blue is mind-boggling. Is McCain trying to lose this election?

[tooteaching]

I live in Wyoming. Even though McCain will win this state he is still ten points behind where Bush was 4 years ago. Plus, we have a neck in neck race for Congress that could give us our first Democratic Congressman since Tino Roncolio in the 1970's.

I've been to Montana a few times. Montana people are like Wyoming people. Tough, practical and independent. These types usually vote Republican but can be persuded. The fact that McCain is in single digits in Montana, lowered poll numbers here in Wyoming and Colorado as a swing state shows that the Republicans are really in trouble.

[crazyv]

don't know if this would be good news or bad news for folks in Montana ( I would hope that they would regard it as good news) but if Montana turns blue it will certainly help economically. Lets face it the 21st century business are going to draw on a multi-cultural work force. They will site in states in which their employees are going to be comfortable. A blue Montana certainly will play into the decision of whether to set up in Montana.

[BlackJAC]

You know the gops have a problem when they have to play defense in a state that only has three electoral votes yet has been solidly in their pocket for years.

[fishgirl26]

I voted early in Missoula and I believe the turnout will be good. Most of my relatives in Helena, Great Falls, and Billings are all Obama supporters. How much does Mr. McCain think about Montana??? How many times has he been to this state to help understand the issues affecting most Montanans?­??++++cric­kets+++ That's right, he has NEVER been here to campaign. Mr. Obama has taken the time to come to our state, understand our issues including education, health care, veterans, and energy. So Montana...­WHO'S LOOKING OUT FOR YOU????? Keep in mind Montanans that Mr. McCain did NOT support farm subsidies and continues to IGNORE Native American issues, school funding, infrastructure, and rural issues that plague our state. Mr. Obama looks out for us as I don't know a whole lot of people in Montana that make over $250K a year!
GET OUT AND VOTE MONTANA!!! VOTE EARLY!!

[dengal]

Go Montana!
Id love to see it turn blue. THAT would send a message to the GOP and how off track they are

[ButteJbyrd]

The GOP tried voter suppression here, too. It was thrown out by a federal judge and the Republican in charge was forced to resign.
You can take my ballot when you pry my cold, dead fingers off it!
There are a lot of disillusioned Republicans in this state that didn't like McCain to begin with, and Palin's like a recurring nightmare of former Gov. Judy Martz, who left office with an 18 percent approval rating.
The McCain campaign is just dumping money here because TV time is cheap. They don't have a clue -- and don't care -- what's going on here.

[alvdh1]

I am glad he has to defend Montana. The real question, however, is when is going to be forced to defend the most vicious, hate filled smear and fear campaign in history. McCain has never mounted a campaign centered on the issues. His sole endeavor has been to divide America in order to protect the corporate interest of greed and power to the exclusion of the masses. None of his proposed policies benefit the middle class which makes up the vast majority of the population. Instead, it is a mirror image of Bush's economis policies that have failed hopes and dreams of Americans.

If you are undecided or leaning toward McCain, remember we are one nation who has succeded, more often than not, when we have worked together as one rather than as a didvided nation. McCain has lost his perspective on this account. As you worry about keeping your home, preventing your factory or job from being sent overseas or downsized, preserving your retirement savings from dwindling away and in many cases just feeding your family, then remember to think hard about what America is all about before you pull that lever on November 4, 2008.

Cast your vote for a unified America because united we stand and divided we fall.

[philosopherkingtomas]

billings gazette endorsed Obama, people love Obama in Montana! we are now a mix of high tech and energy jobs and college, we love Obama and his vision !

[MontanaHome]

Fantastic news!!!!!!

[alvdh1]

Just make sure that love translates into getting out the vote for Obama in Montana. Call your friends and family to make sure they vote. Contact you local Obama headquarters and find out what you can do through election day.

[MontanaMaven]

Not everywhere. In my county they are still wrecking our Obama signs. And we have wingnuts a plenty running for state government. We still have 8 out of the 10 poorest counties in the nation, but "progressives" in the big towns don't even know that. No one mentions the poverty. It's all drill baby drill on both sides. I am working hard for a 24 year old energy analyst who is running for the state house. He is easily smarter and more responsible than his whack job FBI opponent. He is dedicated to renewable energy instead of the boom and bust of the gas guys that are prowling my ranch right now. We'll see if we can get somebody like this elected in the the beautiful valley where they shot "River Runs Thru It", but also has creepy meth lab people.