GOP will play the Pelosi card in 2010 congressional races

Sacramento Bee ^ | 2/21/10 | Rob Hotakainen

[SmithL]

WASHINGTON – If all politics are local, don't tell that to Jimmy Higdon.

Higdon, a Republican from Kentucky, won a state Senate seat in December in a largely Democratic district with an unlikely strategy: He nationalized his race, warning of one-party rule by featuring Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's pictures in his television advertisements and campaign literature. Higdon, who was outspent by a 4-to-1 ratio, is glad she's so unpopular.

"It worked for me. … And I'm really happy that I had a good team that recognized that," he said. "Because that's not something I would have dreamed up."

Expect the GOP to replicate the strategy in political races around the country this year.

"The strategists will try to make her the lightning rod who represents all that is wrong in Washington," said Jeffrey McCall, a media studies professor at DePauw University in Indiana.

Pelosi, who has a job approval rating of 39 percent in her home state of California, is taking hits from all sides these days.

Newspaper cartoonists and comedy writers routinely take shots at her, and some Democratic women are still smarting from the speaker's decision to back Barack Obama over Hillary Rodham Clinton in the 2008 presidential race.

"The thrill is gone. … The speaker didn't turn out to be the elected official that many of us hoped,"

[matthew fuller]

She can be the gift that keeps on giving- Probably the most despicable politician, nationwide. If challengers to Dim candidates don’t take a clue from their successful “run against Bush” strategy, and turn it around against pelosi, then they probably don’t have enough political street smarts to be in office anyway.

[Always Independent]

Nancy Pelosi
Staying in first class Copenhagen hotels on taxpayers dime
- 500k!

Ignoring the will of the american people
- My perogitive!

Flying my family and friends around the country anytime I want day or night at taxpayers expense
- Priceless!

[madison10]

“Madam” fits her well.

[Theodore R.]

All that matters is Pelosi’s rating in Marin County. Nothing else counts.

[Theodore R.]

Actually, the majority of the American people could not identify Pelosi in a police lineup. They don’t know her and aren’t interested.

[SmokingJoe]

“Actually, the majority of the American people could not identify Pelosi in a police lineup. They don’t know her and aren’t interested”

You wish.
From Rasmussen:

Pelosi Receives Highest Unfavorable Rating But Remains Most Recognizable Congressional Leader - Morning Update -May 15, 2009
http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/most_recent_videos2/2009_10/pelosi_receives_highest_unfavorable_rating_but_remains_most_recognizable_congressional_leader

Pelosi’s Unfavorables Now Up To 64% - Morning Update -August 27, 2009
http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/most_recent_videos2/2009_10/pelosi_s_unfavorables_now_up_to_64