Committees Leaving Maine as King Looks Poised for Win
Senate Republicans have given up on forcing a close race in Maine for former Independent Gov. Angus King, backing off a bid launched in late summer as declining GOP hopes in other races undid hopes Republicans would take over the Senate.
With King apparently cruising to victory, both Senate campaign committees are pulling out of the race, according to sources in both parties.
After spending nearly $2 million in September on ads attacking King, the National Republican Senatorial Committee has not advertised in Maine since October 16, as Politico reported Thursday. GOP aides said polling showing King holding a sizable lead over Republican Secretary of State Charlie Summers drove the NRSC decision to cut its losses.
"Republicans increasingly don't see this race going in the right direction," said a GOP campaign strategist who noted the NRSC push in Maine caused the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee to spend in the race on ads hitting Summers.
http://hotlineoncall.nationaljournal.com/archives/2012/10/both-committees.php
