Boswell's opponent shouldn't count on help from the NRCC

by: desmoinesdem

Sun Dec 20, 2009 at 14:34:15 PM CST

The DCCC raised $3.65 million for the month, and ended November with $15.35 million cash-on-hand. It still holds $2.66 million in debt from last election cycle.

The NRCC only raised $2.34 million in November, and spent $2.16 million, hardly adding to their overall cash total. The committee now has $4.35 million in its account, while still owing $2 million in debt.

I wouldn't be surprised to see Democrats lose 20 to 30 House seats nationally next year. That said, if the NRCC can't build up a decent war chest now, with unemployment high and support for health care reform sinking, they may not be able to convert favorable conditions into a huge wave. NRCC officials have talked about targeting dozens of seats, but they're a long way from having the money to fund that many challengers.

The five Republicans competing in a primary to face seven-term incumbent Leonard Boswell should assume that they won't get much help from the NRCC during the general election campaign. Iowa's third Congressional district is not among the most vulnerable Democratic-held House seats. That's not to say Boswell couldn't lose, especially if Iowa's employment market remains weak throughout next year. But I agree with David Wasserman of the Cook Political Report, who told the Des Moines Register, "I think it's fair to say if Democrats are losing any of their seats in Iowa next year, they'll be suffering large losses across the country."

If Boswell looks like he is in trouble next year, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee will certainly spend money on his behalf. Boswell is in the DCCC's Frontline program.

Speaking of the GOP primary in IA-03, I got a kick out of Dave Funk criticizing Boswell for securing $750,000 in federal funds for the renovation of the former Des Moines Public Library building (which is now owned by the World Food Prize Foundation). Somehow I doubt third district voters will be outraged that Boswell obtained some federal help for this $30 million project in downtown Des Moines.