National GOP Drops O’Donnell Ads

Last week, Colorado Confidential reported on internal documents showing the National Republican Congressional Committee was turning its attention away from Rick O’Donnell’s lagging campaign. Now, it appears the rumors were true. The Associated Press reports the national GOP has pulled the plug on TV ads for O’Donnell, believing its money is better spent helping Marilyn Musgrave:

Signaling retreat, House Republicans are scaling back television advertising in three highly contested races, including Republican Rick O’Donnell’s campaign in Colorado’s 7th Congressional District.

The race pits O’Donnell against Democrat Ed Perlmutter to fill the seat vacated by Republican Bob Beauprez, who resigned to run for governor.

Perlmutter has led comfortably in recent polls, and Republican strategists apparently concluded the money ticketed for that race could be better spent trying to help Rep. Marilyn Musgrave, who is seeking re-election in the 4th Congressional District in Greeley.

President Bush is tentatively scheduled to make an appearance in Greeley this Saturday to campaign for both Musgrave and Beauprez.