Democratic National Committee Ups Radio Buy To $3 Million: African Americans In Driehaus' District, 4 Other States Targeted

Rev. Lowery Will Invoke Dr. King

CINCINNATI (TDB) -- The DNC seems willing to spend in OH-01.  It is adding $1 million to a radio campaign aimed at black voters in Cincinnati and several other targeted cities across the nation.  In all, $3 million will be spent on spot featuring civil rights leader the Rev. Joseph Lowery, who was a close confidant of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.  The script:  "In 2008, we changed the guard.  This year we must guard the change.  This is Reverend Joseph Lowery asking you to stand on the shoulders of those who came before you."

Freshman U.S. Rep. Steve Driehaus could be the beneficiary if Lowery's call to "guard the change" pulls African Americans to the polls.  Driehaus captured OH-01 for the Democrats by knocking of Steve Chabot, a Republican who held the seat for 14 years.  The congressional district covers Cincinnati's West Side and has a 30% black population.  When Obama ran in 2008, blacks voted in record numbers and Driehaus was swept into office.  If black voters don't show up this year, Driehaus could be toast.  Polls show him facing an uphill battle against Chabot.  On Monday, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee pulled the plug on $275,000 worth of Cincy TV time that it had reserved in OH-01.  The GOP then cancelled its time.  Many  viewed the DCCC's decision as a move to write off Driehaus and switch TV budget to more competitive districts.  But the DNC has stepped in to purchase more time for Lowery spots on urban radio, indicating that Cincinnati's OH-01 is still on the radar.   The Lowery spots will also help candidates up and down the Dem ticket.  African Americans are predominantly Democratic voters.