Where Barbour's Money Is Going (The Mississippi Republican Party)

I've commented several times that I was curious how Barbour was spending so much money without appearing to be on TV any more than John Eaves.

Well, I've found two big pieces.

1. Mississippi Republican Party

From 7/30/07 to 9/17/07 the Haley Barbour campaign listed disbursements from the campaign to the Mississippi Republican Party of $1,750,000.00. That has paid for a lot of direct mail (see below) and for ads attacking Democrats running for Lt. Governor, Attorney General, and House Leadership. He wants to makeover all of state government in his own image.

Ads by the Mississippi Republican Party attacking Democratic nominee for Lt. Governor Jamie Franks have added up to $325,000 plus the Mississippi Republican Party transfered $35,000 in cash to his account for a total of $360,000 in assistance.

2. Direct Mail (paid for by Mississippi Republican Party)

While attempting to appear above the fray in his TV ads (with one exception) Barbour's money at the Mississippi Republican Party has purchased a lot of direct mailings attacking John Eaves from several angles. It's a reasonable strategy; appear cool and non-threatened in mass media and go hard negative in targeted media. If anyone will send me a scan I'd be happy to put them up.

Don't Tell Me The Republicans Don't Fear Franks

The State Republican Party has spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on ads attacking Jamie Franks.

The Republican State Leadership Committee has now purchased 440,000 of advertising against Jamie Franks.

It's not inconceivable to think that by the end of this campaign that Phil Bryant will have been the beneficiary of over one million dollars in independent expenditures.

Do you think the Republicans are sure of their man's re-election?

Do you think Bryant really has that double digit lead they happily fed Republican partisans?

I think it's clear that the race is close and Republicans are scared. The question is will burying Franks in negative advertising work?