California CD50...An Expensive Win

As a follow-up to the last Data Port post, here’s a backward look at a close Democratic loss in California’s 50th Congressional District, where Democrat Francine Busby narrowly lost to Republican Brian Bilbray. Rahm Emanuel, DCCC Chairman, writes: (The high-lighting is mine.)

"After spending more than five million dollars - more than 20% of their reserves for November -- and using national Republican leaders like George W. Bush, John McCain and Laura Bush, and running viciously negative ads, Brian Bilbray and the NRCC were able to pull out less than 50 percent of the vote in a solidly Republican district. We've got them on the ropes, but we also know that they are not going down without a fight. The fact that the DCCC and Democrats across the country are already competitive or ahead of Republicans in campaign funds and polling numbers is unprecedented, but we need to keep up the momentum until November."

This was a solidly Republican district. The Democrats made the Republicans pay dearly to hold onto a seat that will have to be contested for again in November.(You may remember that Cunningham, the former Congressman, is now doing eight years in the slams for corruption.)

Make the Republicans fight for every office, and every Congressional seat! Needed Info: What did it cost the Democrats to lose?