Northup draws attention, gets extra boost from donors, GOP

In January, former Rep. Anne Northup's decision to run again against John Yarmuth for her old Congressional seat seemed like a tired proposition.  Many questioned whether Republicans -- both Northup individually and the Party collectively -- would be up to the difficult task of raising money and excitement.  After getting swept up in the 2006 anti-Republican wave and losing a tough gubernatorial primary in 2007, more than a few insiders scoffed at Northup's re-reentry into politics. 

But Northup is proving the doubters wrong. 

Her campaign is receiving positive buzz, both at home and from the Beltway.  She is poised to win the GOP primary by a wide margin.  And, if reports are true, she will have posted an impressive fundraising total of $450,000 -- all collected in just two months.

Of course there are qualifiers. By this time in past campaigns Northup had raised three times that total ($1.7 million in 2006), and with smaller maximum amounts.  And $450,000 will only go so far against a millionare incumbent like Yarmuth. 

Still, the positive buzz and collected cash is buoying her prospects, and her race against Yarmuth is now promising to be a real, competitive fight -- in all likelihood, once again, Kentucky's premier political showdown.

The money, buzz and competitive nature of the race has Northup popping up on target lists all over D.C.  Wednesday, House Republicans announced that they had added Northup to the Regain Our Majority Program (ROMP), making her campaign good for direct contributions from the program and thousands of additional dollars by virtue of being included on the list.  Northup is the only candidate on the list challenging a Democratic incumbent.  (Her inclusion on the list could be payback by House Republican Leader John Boehner, who Northup backed in his initial three-way leadership race.)  And this isn't the first list Northup has made.  She also benefits from the NRCC's planned targeting of Yarmuth, revealed last month.

Look for the hard-working, no-nonsense Northup to use the buzz and cash to develop a message and strategy that draws a stark contrast with Yarmuth, who has, at times, used the office more for self-promotion than for his constituents.  It should be another bell-ringer in River City. 

Addendum:

Plainly, Northup lost in 2006 because of Iraq.  Right before the election, sensing voter concern over the war, she called for the removal of then-Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld in an attempt to distance herself from President Bush.  The move had unintended consequences, leaving some Republicans frustrated and uneasy and keeping others at home. 

But that decision could have unintended consequences again.  Rumsfeld resigned just days after the 2006 election.  In hindsight, Northup's call looks awfully prescient.  The scuffle could provide her with an "I told you so" talking point and steady ground when confronted with Iraq, something she didn't have two years ago. 

Comments

I'm pretty sure Northup won't be talking much about Iraq. Not in that district she won't.

what are her numbers like versus yarmuth

Obama and Clinton beat McCain in this district..sorry Annie, wrong number.

[Weatherman]

Yarmuth obviously hopes Osamabamalama (Ted Kennedy's nickname for him) wins because Hillary draws nothing out of the west end and Newburg ghettos this year.

[Frank]

Of course Obama & Clinton win this district. Gore and Kerry won in their respective elections too while Anne walked away with victory. Top of the ticket doesn't mean deeat for republicans in the 3rd, it just means great turnout. Do your homework before posting nonsense.

[Frank]

Deeat, defeat, samething right?

Iraq has gotten so much better Anne will win in landslide.

I would crush that if I had the opportunity

Is Ted Buttchaps Jackson still involved with Anne?

Anne needs to lay off the tan in the bottle.

Yep Buttchaps Jackson is still making money selling bumber stickers, yard signs and funny hats.

[Bob]

I am one soldier who will not forget Ann's retreat and defeat posturing in 06. If she was willing to poor mouth our leaders in a time of war for her own gain what will she not do if it benefits her? It is time we started electing leaders and not politicians.