Social Security Gamble

In 2010, Congressman Gerry Connolly faced the toughest challenge of his political career. This seat had been lost to the Republicans in the 1994 wave, and 2010 was shaping up to be just as bad—or worse.

Our campaign’s polling showed that the race against Republican Keith Fimian would be very close. The 2010 electorate was dominated by seniors and voters nearing retirement. It was essential that swing voters over 55 learned about Fimian’s support for Social Security privatization and his bizarre comments about Medicare beneficiaries.

The use of the New York Times in this piece was particularly important to validate our charge because Fimian disputed the notion that his scheme for private accounts was tantamount to privatization.

This mailing was part of a 21-piece program to disqualify Fimian. Connolly won reelection despite being outspent by a right wing coalition that included the Fimian campaign, the NRCC and Karl Rove’s independent expenditure group, American Crossroads.