Not Clear to Them, Crystal Clear to Me
A Rush To Frame Views on Congress Ads Start Before Presidential Race Consumes Voters
By Jonathan Weisman Washington Post Staff Writer Monday, August 20, 2007; A01
Democrats and Republicans are mounting a fierce battle to shape voter impressions of Congress during August's political lull, convinced that they must define the story line of the 2008 congressional election before voters are swamped by the presidential campaign.
The opening salvo of television and radio advertisements, automated calls and fundraising appeals is unusually intense this early in the election cycle, and it comes just seven months after the Democrats took control of Congress.
But lawmakers, pollsters and Congress watchers say it is not clear whether the Democrats have convinced the public that they can do the job an angry electorate handed them in November -- or whether, once again, all incumbents will be vulnerable next year, regardless of party.
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