Ensign, GOP play catch up with Dems

By Lisa Mascaro

Wednesday, July 30, 2008 | 5:50 p.m.

WASHINGTON -- Facing a Democratic financial war chest for this fall’s Senate elections that dwarfs his Republican operation, Sen. John Ensign today was undeterred -- taking the bold step of instructing those buying ads for Republican candidates to operate as if they have just as much cash at their disposal.

It’s a daring approach for Ensign who, as chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, has been unable to keep pace with Democratic fundraising or prod fellow Republican senators to contribute during this difficult election cycle.

Jennifer Duffy, who monitors the Senate for the Cook Political Report, called it a “Hail Mary pass.” Republicans are expected to lose several Senate seats this fall.

If the money isn’t there, and the ad buys are made, would Ensign really allow the committee to take on such debt?

Ensign told his colleagues, “it is now up to them.”

Republicans face difficult electoral challenges with fewer than half of the 23 Republican senators running in seats considered safe. Ensign’s main job is to keep losses at a minimum.

Ensign issued a statement saying Democrats have secured $44.8 million in television ad time for Senate candidates, and he “will not allow our Republican candidates to be outspent.”

His committee has $24.6 million at its disposal, as of the end of June.

“While I am aware we do not currently have the funds,” Ensign said, he was allowing the committee’s independent expenditure unit to budget as if it did, "on faith -- faith that my Republican colleagues will step up to the challenge and transfer the funds necessary to remain competitive with the Democrats.”

This week, Republican Sen. John Cornyn, who is running for re-election, gave Ensign’s committee $250,000. Cornyn has been mentioned as a possible successor when Ensign steps down as chairman later this year.