Endangered Dem plays up ties to Bush

A veteran Democratic incumbent facing a tough reelection challenge touted a relationship with President George W. Bush in a new campaign ad.

Rep. Earl Pomeroy (D-N.D.) released a new campaign ad emphasizing his ties to the former Republican president at a time when most Democrats are pummeling Bush, and warning that GOP wins this fall would mean a return to Bush-era policies.

“When George Bush proposed a Medicare prescription drug benefit, Earl Pomeroy voted yes, putting seniors before party,” the ad says, depicting Bush at a signing ceremony for Medicare Part D.

“Earl joined Republicans to fight internet predators; fighting for kids,” the ad later says, playing up a bill to toughen laws against sex offenders.

The spot is an unusual effort by a veteran lawmaker, who was first elected in 1992, to embrace Republicans and, in particular, Bush.

North Dakota is a conservative-leaning state where Bush won reelection in 2004 with 63 percent of the vote.

Pomeroy is facing one of the toughest challenges in his own career from state Rep. Rick Berg (R). The Cook Political Report, a nonpartisan campaign projection service, rates the race as a “toss up.”

Find the new ad below:

Hat tip: The Note