Chet Edwards For Congress

October 17, 2006
NRCC Pulls the Plug on the Taylor Campaign
After conducting its own poll, NRCC pulls ad buy in support of Taylor

Waco – In a devastating blow to the Van Taylor campaign, the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) has canceled its planned television ad buy of over $1.5 million after conducting a poll in TX-17. The news followed on the heels of the Taylor campaign’s October Quarterly Federal Elections Commission (FEC) report which showed just $102,495 cash-on-hand as of Sept. 30th, while Congressman Chet Edwards’ campaign had an 11:1 cash-on-hand advantage, with $1.14 million in the bank.

According to an October 12th independent expenditure report with the FEC, the NRCC paid for a poll of the Edwards-Taylor race last week. Groups such as the NRCC are required to report independent expenditures to the FEC within 24 hours.

According to five television stations in the DFW market, the NRCC on Monday canceled its planned television ad buy on behalf of Taylor. The cancelled Taylor buy was valued at over $1.5 million and was scheduled to run in the last two weeks of the campaign.

“Two years ago, the NRCC ran over a million dollars of ads in the DFW market alone in support of Chet’s opponent. Mr. Taylor can spin the bad news any way he wants, but the fact is that after reviewing its own poll last week, the NRCC has pulled the plug on the Van Taylor campaign,” said Edwards Communication Director, Jessica Schafer. “That’s not just bad news, that’s devastating news for a campaign that was already in trouble.”

“With a 21 point lead in the polls and a more than ten-to-one cash-on-hand advantage, we have both the resources and momentum to aggressively communicate Chet’s positive message of effective, hard work for the people of the 17th District and get out the vote across the district,” added Schafer.

Timeline: The Taylor Tail-Spin

August 24, 2006: The U.S. Chamber of Commerce and National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) both announce their endorsement of Edwards for re-election. The endorsements represent a blow to the Van Taylor campaign since both nonpartisan organizations generally endorse Republicans, including Edwards’ 2004 opponent, Arlene Wohlgemuth. The Texas Business Association’s political action committee, BACPAC, also announces its endorsement of Edwards.

September 1, 2006: The Texas Farm Bureau Friends of Agriculture Fund (AGFUND) endorses Edwards. Considered a conservative organization, the TFB AGFUND endorsement is highly sought after and is another sign of the momentum and strong local support behind Edwards’ campaign.

September 29, 2006: The National Rifle Association Political Victory Fund (NRA-PVF) refuses to endorse Taylor over Edwards, despite having endorsed Edwards’ opponents in the last three elections. The NRA-PVF also awards Edwards a “B” grade for his strong support of the Second Amendment.

October 6, 2006: The Fort Worth Star Telegram endorses Edwards, writing that, “Chet Edwards brings experience, understanding and the closest thing to statesmanship one can find in Washington these days….From championing investments in the nation's military infrastructure to voicing concerns about healthcare for veterans, Edwards has been a constant advocate for the country's military personnel.”

October 9, 2006: The Veterans of Foreign Wars’ Political Action Committee endorses Edwards during a district-wide tour to launch Edwards’ “Vets for Chet” group. Vets for Chet includes more than 500 veterans in the 17th District. Three Former Fort Hood and III Corps Commanders and the former State Commanders of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the American Legion and the Disabled American Veterans also endorse Edwards.

October 11, 2006: The Dallas Morning News endorses Edwards, highlighting his “steady, pro-defense record and years of dependable service to constituents” and noting that his “senior position on the House Appropriations Committee gives him muscle in the fight for Waco’s threatened VA center.” The paper also notes that Taylor is a “rookie who’s long on cash and slash-and-burn campaigning but short on answers” and raises concerns about Taylor’s credibility.

October 12, 2006: The Edwards campaign reports that he has a commanding 21-point lead in the race according to a poll of 400 likely voters conducted October 9-10 by the respected Washington, DC polling firm of Bennett, Petts and Blumenthal. The poll shows Edwards leading Taylor 54% - 33% and has a margin of error of plus or minus 4.9%.

October 15, 2006: The Waco Tribune-Herald becomes the third major newspaper serving the district to endorse Edwards over Taylor, saying the election decision was “easy” given Edwards’ record of effective service for the district. The editorial board also points out “Taylor’s campaign has been characterized by attacks that twist the truth into pretzel form.”

October 15, 2006: The Taylor campaign posts a weak October quarterly FEC report, showing just $102,495 cash-on-hand after having raised just $223,147 during the quarter and being propped up by a $100,000 loan by Taylor to his campaign. Edwards’ campaign shows strong momentum with $1,144,692 cash-on-hand after raising $632,935 during the quarter. The Edwards campaign has raised over $2.7 million through September 30th of this year, an increase of over $600,000 at this same point in the last campaign cycle.

October 16, 2005: The National Republican Campaign Committee (NRCC) cancels its planned television ad buy in support of Taylor, worth more than $1.5 million in the DFW media market.

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