LAS CRUCES, NM  (By Marjorie Childress, New Mexico Independent) August 20, 2010 — The national GOP “blueprint” for victory in the November mid-term elections is coming into focus, Politico says in a piece today.

 

And if that political journal is correct, the only “hot” race in New Mexico is the one in the south between Congressman Harry Teague (D) and his predecessor, Steve Pearce.

 

A planned advertising buy of the National Republican Congressional Committee is targeting a handful of long-time incumbents as well as about a dozen junior Democratic congressmen, including Teague.

 

The Republicans have left the race for New Mexico’s Congressional District 1, between Congressman Martin Heinrich (D) and Jon Barela (R) off the list, maybe because they are short on funds compared to the Democrats, with $17 million currently compared to $34 million.

 

The strategy of the GOP is purely one of offense, says Politico, whereas the Democrats are playing defense, with a focus primarily on protecting incumbents: While Democrats have reserved ad time in 60 races to date, the vast majority of those reservations — 54 of them — are designed to protect vulnerable incumbents. Republicans, on the other hand, are investing in an almost entirely offensive effort. Of the 40 seats covered in the NRCC buy, 39 are currently held by Democrats.

 

NMI contributor Matt Reichbach notes on his blog the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee has already committed funds to defend Teague.