FORT COLLINS - Rep. Betsy Markey's second television ad of the campaign season is titled "fought", highlighting how she's been a champion for the people of her district. But in trying to hold onto her seat in November, Markey's toughest fight lies ahead.
Markey, who was swept into office two years ago along with Democrats across the country, now finds herself trying to win a second term representing a predominantly-Repubilcan district in what looks to be the GOP's year.
Given the dynamic, it makes sense that Markey's latest ad makes her sound like a Republican. While President Barack Obama spent Monday touting his major legislative accomplishments, Democrats in swing districts nationally are running away from the Democratic record.
" Washington politicians are always bragging about big accomplishments," Markey says in the ad. "But that just sounds like more big spending to me."
Markey notes that she voted against the "Wall Street bailouts" but glosses over her controversial vote for health care reform.
And according to a report in Saturday's New York Times, it may not matter what Markey says -- or does.
The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee is now trying to figure out where to spend its money, looking to spend wisely by backing incumbents with a decent shot to win and likely leaving more vulnerable incumbents to fend for themselves.
The DCCC hasn't cut Markey off yet and may indeed determine her race, against state Rep. Cory Gardner of Yuma, is winable. But, she's already being targeted by the National Republican Congressional Committee; and just based on district demographics and voter registration data, she has one of the toughest reelection battles of any Democrat in the country.
One factor working in Markey's favor: the tumult within Colorado's Republican Party, now split over its own gubernatorial candidate, Dan Maes, and the former Republican now challenging him as a member of the American Constitution Party, Tom Tancredo.
Here's Markey's latest ad:
Markey, who was swept into office two years ago along with Democrats across the country, now finds herself trying to win a second term representing a predominantly-Repubilcan district in what looks to be the GOP's year.
" Washington politicians are always bragging about big accomplishments," Markey says in the ad. "But that just sounds like more big spending to me."
Markey notes that she voted against the "Wall Street bailouts" but glosses over her controversial vote for health care reform.
And according to a report in Saturday's New York Times, it may not matter what Markey says -- or does.
The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee is now trying to figure out where to spend its money, looking to spend wisely by backing incumbents with a decent shot to win and likely leaving more vulnerable incumbents to fend for themselves.
The DCCC hasn't cut Markey off yet and may indeed determine her race, against state Rep. Cory Gardner of Yuma, is winable. But, she's already being targeted by the National Republican Congressional Committee; and just based on district demographics and voter registration data, she has one of the toughest reelection battles of any Democrat in the country.
One factor working in Markey's favor: the tumult within Colorado's Republican Party, now split over its own gubernatorial candidate, Dan Maes, and the former Republican now challenging him as a member of the American Constitution Party, Tom Tancredo.
Here's Markey's latest ad:
