Both campaigns in the down-to-the-wire race for Maryland’s 1st Congressional District are devising new, far-fetched attacks against the other side, showcasing their desperation to win the Eastern Shore seat, analysts say.
Republican state Sen. Andy Harris is ripping Rep. Frank Kratovil for hobnobbing with Democratic leaders at a ritzy fundraiser in Bethesda.
“Wondering what the Democratic Washington-elite eat at their cocktail parties?” reads new Harris campaign literature, referring to blackened salmon sliders, lamb polpettine and Persian chicken skewers served at a Kratovil fundraiser attended by Vice President Biden. “With Maryland’s First District at record unemployment, maybe Frank Kratovil’s time would be better spent talking about job creation instead of mingling with Washington Democrats.”
Harris has called the freshman congressman a reliably liberal vote for polarizing legislation.
However, Kratovil repeatedly touts his independent streak — pointing to his vote against President Obama’s health care overhaul — and endorsements from the National Rifle Association and U.S. Chamber of Commerce. He has voted more than 84 percent of the time with his Democratic colleagues.
“I’ve done exactly what I said I would do,” Kratovil said. “I’m one of the 10 most independent members of Congress.”
Some observers say they are hardly surprised by the negative tone, given the competitiveness of the political battle.
“In a close campaign, people’s adrenaline is pumping and sometimes they say things that if a voter sits back and thinks about are really stupid,” said Paul Herrnson, director of the nonpartisan Center for American Politics and Citizenship at the University of Maryland.
The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee’s attacks are more veiled but also aimed at mobilizing the Republican base — just for another candidate. They paid for mailers about long-shot Libertarian candidate Richard Davis that some label an obvious attempt to pull conservatives away from Harris.
“Davis and the Tea Party think government is part of the problem, and want to make it as small as possible,” the mailer says, also asking if the Libertarian candidate is “too conservative?”
Kratovil beat Harris by fewer than 3,000 votes two years ago, and Davis received more than 8,800 votes that likely would have gone for Harris in the Republican-leaning district.
“When you’re up against someone who is personal friends with [U.S. Rep. Steny Hoyer], that means you’re going to have the kitchen sink thrown at you,” Harris said.
In nearly every poll, Kratovil garnered about 40 percent of likely voters. But the most recent independent poll shows the two candidates are tied.
“I’m surprised it is so close,” said Matthew Crenson, professor emeritus of political science at Johns Hopkins University, attributing the numbers to Harris’ attacks. “His ads rest very heavily on identifying Kratovil with Pelosi. There’s no content there.”
