The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) started its first paid ad campaign Monday against Minnesota Republican freshman Chip Cravaack, who ousted DFL warhorse Jim Oberstar in the midterm elections. The radio ads in northern Minnesota focus on a proposed GOP plan to cut education and research funding by as much as 40 percent. A DCCC spokesman said they're based on a budget proposal compiled by the Republican Study Committee, whose members include Republican Leader Eric Cantor of Virginia, Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan of Wisconsin, and two thirds of the House GOP caucus. The ad targets some 19 Republicans nationwide. Craavack, an avowed budget hawk, was elected with some Tea party support. But so far he has joined neither the Tea Party Caucus nor the Republican Study Committee.
