A Democratic Candidate Distances Himself From Obama

A play from the National Republican Congressional Committee's playbook is executed to perfection. Travis Childers, a candidate for Mississippi's first congressional district, told reporters yesterday that Barack Obama hasn't endorsed his campaign, despite an ad by his opponent linking the two and Rev. Wright. Said Childers: "I've not been in contact with his campaign, nor has he been in contact with mine." The ad refers to efforts by Obama supporters to raise money for Childers through the MyBarackObama.com portal.

Here's a news reporter about the distancing. (Ignore the provocative headline).



CHILDERS NEARLY won a majority of the votes cast in the district, which would have allowed him to beat Republican Greg Davis and flip the seat without a run-off. Childers has a good shot of picking up the seat. Elections in Mississippi and Louisiana in two weeks may be the first real tests as to whether Republicans can turn into Obama into an effective boogeyman. Childers's eagerness to shrug off his party's frontrunner is a sign that some Democrats scare easily. A Democratic loss in that seat would not be helpful for Mr. Obama. The special election is set for May 13.